Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Kill House Mites
How to Kill House Mites. House mites, also known as dust mites, are just one of many type of mites in the world. Mites like to live in damp, humid, warm places. Mites live off the dead skin cells of humans as well as the dander from pets. Although house dust mites are relatively harmless and you may never know you have them, if you or your pets are...
House mites, also known as dust mites, are just one of many type of mites in the world. Mites like to live in damp, humid, warm places. Mites live off the dead skin cells of humans as well as the dander from pets. Although house dust mites are relatively harmless and you may never know you have them, if you or your pets are allergic to them, you may find them to be a real problem. Luckily, there are a few ways you can kill dust mites at home for little money and effort.
Things You'll Need
Washing machine
Eucalyptus essential oil
Hot water
Laundry detergent
Vacuum
Steam cleaner
In the Wash
Place any bedding, towels or clothing that need to be cleaned of mites into the wash. Also wash all pet bedding.
Add 24 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the wash. Eucalyptus oil kills mites.
Wash as normal, using your regular detergent. If it will not damage the textiles, consider using hot water, which is also effective in killing the mites.
In the Carpets
Vacuum your carpet well to release as much dust and dirt as possible. Most dust mites will be able to hold on through this process but it will release some of the debris. Also vacuum your upholstered furniture and mattresses, too.
Steam clean your carpet using hot water. Hot water will help kill a lot of the mites. Steam clean your upholstered furniture and mattress as well.
Repeat vacuuming every day to every other day. Repeat steam cleanings at least once a week.
Tips & Warnings
Washing your bedding not only kills the mites, but it also washes away dead skin cells that mites feed on.
If it is an option, remove as much carpeting from your home as possible. Carpets are a good place for mites to hold on and are hard to clean completely.
Use an air cleaner with a HEPA filter. This will help catch dust particles in the air.
When all else fails, you can use dust mite sprays. These sprays can be applied directly to your bedding, your carpets and your furniture and will kill many mites.
