Peak season for house dust mites

Caution: house dust mites
House dust mites make up a large proportion of our household dust, hence their name. There are around 1000 mites in a teaspoonful of bedroom dust. They feed on animal and human skin scales and feel particularly at home in carpets, upholstered furniture and beds. House dust mites can be found in every home and are a problem for allergy sufferers all year round. However, during the heating season, the mite faeces, which carry the allergens, dry out more quickly and are swirled through the air, increasing the burden. Not least because the windows are also closed.

A remedy
It is impossible to keep a room completely free of mites. But you can reduce them. Regular cleaning is highly recommended. Vacuuming at least once or twice a week - preferably with a HEPA filter - as well as dusting with a damp cloth and mopping the floors is a good idea.

House dust mites like it warm and damp. That's why they feel particularly at home in our beds. It is advisable to wrap mattresses in mite-proof covers and to use mite-proof covers for pillows and duvets, called encasings, for example with the Allergy Seal of Quality.

Arachnids do not like cool temperatures. In winter, a room temperature of less than 21° Celsius is ideal. A cooler temperature in the bedroom is also good for a restful night's sleep. Room humidity should not exceed 50 per cent. It is important to air the rooms two or three times a day for 5 to 10 minutes.

For more information and tips, see House dust mite allergy on aha.ch