Have you been sneezing a lot more than usual recently and can’t figure out why? Do you have asthma and are finding that your symptoms are getting out of hand? Perhaps a tiny microscopic creature known as the dust mite is to be blamed. When we think of pests, it’s not the first one that comes to our mind, but it is often responsible for the aggravation of asthma and pollen allergies. The pest control experts at ServiceMarket have put together this guide to help you learn everything you need to know about dust mites in Doha.
Anatomy of a dust mite
Invisible to the naked eye, dust mites are tiny creatures that measure less than half a millimeter in length and cause allergic reactions in many humans. Dust mites are actually arachnids i.e. cousins to spiders and crabs.
They are probably in your bedroom
Bedrooms and other living spaces offer dust mites with the perfect conditions to thrive as they prefer warm and humid environments. They can live in your mattresses, pillows, carpets and even in the vacuum cleaner.
You are their food source
Dust mites live in very close proximity to humans because we are a food source to them. They are not parasitic and don’t bite, but simply feed off of your dead skin and hair. With human beings shedding roughly over 3.6 kilograms of skin in a year and losing 50 to 100 strands of hair a day, there is more than enough food for them to feast on.
They are thriving
Wherever humans and pets live there will be some level of dust mite activity. A female dust mite can lay 1 to 3 eggs a day, which hatch in 6 to 12 days and reach adulthood in about 3 to 4 weeks. Every egg-laying female has the ability to increase the dust mite population by over 20 new mites per week.
They need humidity to live
An adult dust mite is about 75% water and needs an environment with high humidity to thrive. A point to note is that it’s difficult for dust mites to exist in arid climates, but they can exist in climate controlled buildings if there is sufficient moisture.
They cause allergic reactions in humans
The harmful allergens dust mites create come from their faeces and about 10% of humans get reactions from them. House dust mites can produce up to 20 droppings a day which contain 14 fully identified potential allergens. These allergens produce flu like symptoms and long-term exposure can trigger asthma, especially in children and adults with low immunity.
Signs of a dust mite infestation
There are usually no visual signs of a dust mite infestation. A perfectly clean house with no visible dirt can still have a dust mite problem. Having flu like symptoms around the year is the most common and visible sign of a dust mite infestation. Dust mites are everywhere and are hard to avoid, but the good news is that you only need to take drastic measures against them if they start to impact your health.
Treatment for dust mites
Dust mite treatment can be difficult as after tackling the pests, you also have to get rid of their dead bodies and fecal matter. You pest control company in Doha will be able to help you with getting rid of dust mites and advise you on how to prevent another big infestation.
To find the right pest control service in Doha, be sure to get free quotes from multiple companions through ServiceMarket.
