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What is Dust Mite Spray?

By KN
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 21,563
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Dust mites are tiny eight-legged arthropods invisible to the naked eye; a single gram of dust can contain as many as 100,000 dust mites. While other types of mites do bite, the common house dust mite does not. They survive by feeding off dander shed from the skin of people and pets. Dust mites can cause health problems because many people are allergic to the dust mite's excretions. Regardless of whether the mites are dead or alive, once their droppings and sloughed off skin become airborne, they can cause a number of health-related conditions. Luckily, the effects of dust mites can be controlled with dust mite spray.

An allergic reaction to dust mites can bring on an asthma attack or allergic rhinitis. The symptoms of an asthma attack include coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Allergic rhinitis causes a swollen, inflamed nose and sinuses, and the symptoms can include: a runny nose, sneezing, sinus headaches, coughs, and watery itchy eyes. Unfortunately for the allergy sufferer, with every exposure to dust mites, the reaction becomes more severe. Every effort must be made to limit or eliminate exposure by using some common sense methods, and when needed, the application of dust mite spray.

The most reliable method of keeping dust mites at bay is to maintain a clean home. Dust mites love to live in bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture and clothing; regular vacuuming and laundering will decrease the chances of an infestation. They also thrive in areas of high humidity, so running an air filter and dehumidifier may also cut down on the impact of dust mites.

In addition to general cleanliness, dust mite spray that reduces or eliminates the number of dust mites is readily available. Some types of spray are made of a natural ingredient, while others are the chemical insecticide types. Steam cleaning seems to be a successful method because mattresses and furniture can be treated; the heat of the steam kills off established colonies of dust mites. Using a pump sprayer filled with dust mite spray set on a fine mist can be highly effective, although regular applications of the dust mite spray may be necessary. Laundering clothing in special anti-allergen detergents may also prove helpful to those who are extremely sensitive to dust mites.

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Discussion Comments
By pharmchick78 — On Sep 08, 2010

It can be easy to confuse a dust mite allergen sensitivity with a dust allergy, since they both tend to show up with similar symptoms.

If you think that your dust allergy may actually be a dust mite allergy, try out one of those dust mite covers for a week to see if your symptoms improve -- sure beats a getting scratch test for a diagnosis!

By Charlie89 — On Sep 08, 2010

@streamfinder -- I've never used the Febreeze spray -- for me the only way to kill dust mites is with the Acarosan dust mite spray. I've been using it for years and thus far, it's worked. Best of luck though.

By StreamFinder — On Sep 08, 2010

I recently read that there is a Febreeze anti dust mite spray. Has anybody used this? I'm kind of leery of all the dust mite spray reviews, they all seem so over the top. I have been using the Bissell dust mite spray, but I think the little guys are getting immune or something, so I'm trying to find a new one.

Does anybody have any tips for me, or use the Febreeze dust mite spray?

By anon19896 — On Oct 21, 2008

Regarding some of your recommendations: There is no acaracide registered with the EPA for the control of dust mites. Any poison sprayed for dust mites is being applied off label. The most effective dust mite sprays are denaturing agents. These sprays use a combination of acids and alkalis to denature (neutralize) the protein (Der f1) found in the feces and shed carapaces of the mites. Alkaline Laboratories makes two such sprays, ADS and ADMS Spray. In addition, while "steam" cleaning a mattress may remove some soil, it is impossible to remove mites via steam cleaning in a mattress that is 7 or more inches thick. That is why physicians have recommended the use of zippered covers for years. Also, these covers are an integral part of the NIH's recommendations on how to set up a dust mite proof room.

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