Dust mites are tiny microscopic mites that live in vast quantities in close proximity to humans; in beds, upholstered furniture, carpets and soft furnishings. They multiply very rapidly and it is believed that within 4-6 months a new mattress will be colonised.
Dust mites do not bite and it is not the mite itself that causes problems but their faecal pellets, which contain an allergen known as DerP1. The droppings are 4-20 microns in size, but they can crumble into fragments of 1-3 microns, and the tiniest bits are only 0.5 microns across. During their three month life span each dustmite lays 20-40 eggs and produces up to 2000 droppings. This causes the concentration of dust mite allergen to increase very rapidly. Up to1000 individual mites can be counted in just one gram of dust. This means that the average bed contains more than 10,000 dust mites and perhaps in excess of two million faecal pellets.
If you wish to learn more about the biology of the mite click here.
At Steam2Clean we recognise that mites and allergens are a growing problem in the average house hold, if you wish to obtain a quote for Steam2Clean's dustmite and allergy control programme please call on 01462 732632.
Dust Mites
concentration of dust mite allergen to increase very rapidly. Up to1000 individual mites can be counted in just one gram of dust. This means that the average bed contains more than 10,000 dust mites and perhaps in excess of two million faecal pellets.