Worried About Having a Bad Duct Cleaning Experience?Facts About Home Dust Mites
Dust Mites and Allergies in the New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner Areas of LA
Anyone with allergies should be concerned with dust mites living in their air ducts, carpets, and bed. One of the reasons most people do not know much about dust mites is because they are so small you cannot see them, and they live in dust around your home. A dust mites diet consists of particles of hair, food, and skin that drift about your house as dust. The official species name of home dust mites (HDM) is dermatophagoides farinae. Dust mites can cause serious respiratory problems, particularly asthma. The 6 legged dust mite larva turn into 8 legged adult dust mites. Dust mites live only a very short time, with a male having an average 19-30 day lifespan. The egg laying females live for up to 60 days.
The only good thing about dust mites is that they do not bite. Dust mites often feed on the dust produced by shed human skin cells. You might not know it, but humans shed from 0.3 to 0.45 Kg (0.5 to 1 lbs) of skin each year. Due to the moisture as a result from people sleeping (perspiration and saliva), dust mites often live in beds and bedding. Dust mite infestation brings with them heavy allergens and can cause asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and dermatitis. Those with allergies may know about the enzyme DerP1, which causes allergic reactions and is present in dust mite fecal matter.
Household air duct systems do not usually contain many mites because there is not enough moisture for them. Air ducts do carry a lot of skin, and other dust particles though. Another thing air duct systems do is circulate air around your home. Daily use of your vent system cause fresh food to be flung into the air for the mites.
Dust mites can be warded against by taking the following precautions:
- All carpets in your home should be vacuumed regularly, and a HEPA filtered vacuum is recommended.
- Practice regular dusting.
- Professional cleaning for your air ducts, upholstery, drapes, and carpets is a must.
- By replacing your wall-to-wall carpeting with even just vinyl, you will make a big difference.
- Get allergen proof covers for your pillows and even furniture.
- Freeze your kids plush toys to kill any mites living in them.
- A good overall measure is to keep the humidity below 70% in your house.
No one thing is going to completely remove dust mites from your home, but following the above instructions will help considerably.
Well, that concludes our dust mites article. Hopefully you have a better grasp of what the operation involves and what you might search for in an ductwork cleaning company. Since most air duct cleaning companies also clean dryer vents, you might want to read our dryer vent cleaning tips article as well. Having your dryer vent cleaned while the technicians are already at your home cleaning your air ducts, will save you money.
Local Articles Related to New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner Dust Mites and Allergies
Local Louisiana Air Duct Cleaning Companies and Government Links
