Dust mites

Dust mites are going to live in places that they have an ample amount of food supply. Therefore being that they live off of dead skin, lint, animal dander etc, they are happy to be where those things are.

Here are some basic measures that you can follow to prevent them from invading your home.

• Enclose mattresses, box springs, and pillows inside of zippered allergen proofed covers.
• Wash your bedding in hot water (130 degrees Fahrenheit) at least once per week.
• Purchase stuffed toys that are machine washable.
• Avoid using curtains, drapes and blinds on windows that cannot be washed regularly. It is best to use plastic shades.
• Vacuum frequently and remove the bags for disposal on a regular basis.
• Replace upholstered furniture with wooden or plastic furnishings.
• Replace carpet flooring with wood flooring or laminate tiles.

Installing HEPA filters in your air conditioning and heating units are not practical or necessary, they can actually make the issue worse. The mites will gather in the filters and them be spread through the home. There is no way to completely eliminate dust mites all that can be done in keeping their population down. Having humidifiers will help, but the best things we can do are vacuum and clean the areas of your home that they live in regularly.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are increasingly becoming a problem in homes and apartments. They are small parasites the feed off warm blood. They will inhabit areas where we sleep, hiding in small cracks and crevices.
Prevention:

Change bed linens once a week and wash in hot water (97F)

• Vacuum around the house at least once a week, paying special attention to areas around beds and furniture posts.


• Caulk holes in floors and walls.


• Eliminate bird and bat habitats attached to the house. Fix them to a tree or somewhere away from the home.


• Regular cleaning is the best defense unless you start seeing signs of an infestation. If that occurs there are other options that then become available.

Extermination:

• Search for signs of bed bugs around bed frame, mattress and other furniture for live bugs and their eggs.


• Reduce clutter to limit hiding places.


• Thoroughly clean infested rooms and scrub with stiff bristled brush to dislodge eggs.


• Use a powerful vacuum to remove the bugs from cracks and crevices.


• Dismantling bed frames will expose additional bug hiding sites.


• Pull bed away from the wall, tuck sheets and blankets so they wont have contact with the floor.


• Place the frame legs in dishes or cups of mineral oil.


• If the infestation is bad it is recommended you contact a licensed pest control operator.


• If renting contact property manager or landlord. Generally they are legally required to contact a licensed pest control operator.

Although dead bed bugs, cast bug skins and blood spots may indicate an infestation occurred previously; they do not confirm that an infestation is still active. It is still recommended you check for live bugs to ensure there is no infestation.

These can be important steps in preventing and keeping the home cleaner and in cases where allergies can be a problem they can be invaluable precautionary steps. This is how to keep your home free from dust mites and bed bugs.