What Are Dust Mites?
Dust mites are microscopic pests similar to insects that feed on human skin cells and spend most of their time in dust, but they also love to live inside carpets and bedding. Dust mites are stirred up in the air when bedding is disturbed, when carpets are walked on, or when these areas are vacuumed, but they quickly settle again. Dust mites can get into your respiratory system, causing what we know as the dust allergy, which can be dangerous for people with asthma. Dust mites rely on humidity and mold to survive, and cannot infest your home if these conditions are taken away. Dust mites cannot be removed through regular cleaning methods, so the best way to deal with a dust mite problem in your home is to remedy the conditions that cause excess moisture in the home with professional waterproofing services.
Dust Mites and Allergies
What we experience as the “dust allergy” is mostly a result of us inhaling microscopic proteins in dust that come from dust mites, be it dead dust mites, dust mite urine, or dust mite feces. Inflammation of the nasal passages caused by these dust mite proteins are what we call a dust allergy. Dust allergies can have many symptoms, including:
- Red, watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Postnasal drip
- Nasal congestion
In addition to dust mite allergy symptoms, a high level of dust mites can also lead to worsening asthma symptoms and sinus infections. But what causes these irritating, allergy-aggravating pests?
What Causes Dust Mites?
Dust mites do occur naturally, and it is impossible to fully remove dust mites from the air inside your home. However, high levels of dust mites are typically caused by humidity and moisture issues in the home. Dust mites don’t drink water, instead, they absorb the water they need to survive from the moisture in the air. If the humidity level in your home is less than 50%, the dust mites will not be able to survive. The Northern Virginia areas of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Fredericksburg are unfortunately prone to humidity, and if your home is not properly waterproofed, then moisture can seep into your home through the basement or crawl space. The water vapor getting into your home through these areas will circulate throughout the entire home, causing humidity issues and creating an environment conducive to high levels of dust mites. Dust mites will not stay in the air, instead, they will settle down inside bedding, carpets, curtains, upholstery, drapes, mattresses, and more. A large percentage of dust mite exposure actually happens to you while you are asleep!
How Do I Get Rid of Dust Mites?
The best way to get rid of dust mites is to eliminate sources of humidity and moisture inside your home. Crawl space encapsulations seal off the bare earth in your crawl space with a vapor barrier, preventing water vapor, groundwater, and other forms of moisture from entering the crawl space and circulating around the home. Additionally, crawl space encapsulations also come with sump pumps, which pump excess water away from the home, and dehumidifiers, which take the moisture out of the air. While basements don’t need to be encapsulated, it can’t hurt to get them fitted with the latest sump pumps and dehumidifiers to ensure that moisture isn’t accumulating in your home, worsening your air quality and creating environments conducive to dust mites. Summit Waterproofing Solutions offers the best crawl space encapsulations and basement waterproofing services to regulate moisture inside your home in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, or Fredericksburg. Contact our team to get started on your waterproofing project today at 703-291-1516!
How Do I Protect Against Dust Mites?
Besides reducing moisture levels in your home, you can protect against dust mites by cleaning regularly and reducing clutter. Carpets are one of the biggest harborages for dust mites, so replace your carpet with bare floors and damp clean the floors as often as possible. Dusting regularly with microfiber cloths can also help reduce dust and dust mites in the air. Replace your wool or feather bedding with synthetic materials, and wash them once a week in hot water to kill dust mites. Remove rugs and curtains if possible, as these also provide harborage for dust mites.
Best Crawl Space Encapsulations in Northern Virginia
Dust mites are the main source of what we experience as the dust allergy, and these microscopic pests need high levels of humidity to survive. The best way to limit dust mites in your home is to reduce the humidity in your air. Humid air inside the home is often caused by moisture and water vapor rising from the crawl space or basement. Getting your basement waterproofed and your crawl space encapsulated can greatly reduce moisture in your home, therefore reducing the level of dust mites. If you need basement waterproofing or crawl space encapsulation services in the Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, or Fredericksburg areas, contact the experts at Summit Waterproofing Solutions today at 703-291-1516!
