How to Get Rid of Mites

Co-authored by Scott McCombe

Similar to lice, mites are skin parasites that feast on dry and infected skin, causing intense itching, pain, embarrassment and being socially ostracized from friends and family. Scabies, the infamous painful skin condition, is often caused directly by mites. Other mites, such as dust mites, are notorious for the allergies they cause; some mites will latch to your pets and others will invade your garden and yard. For each type of mite you face, a different method of extermination is required. Chemicals may be useful around your home, but if used on pets or plants could be extremely harmful.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Getting Rid of Dust Mites

1
Vacuum often. Dust mites, the most common species of mite in American households, can be easily eliminated with the use of a vacuum cleaner. Dust mites burrow and cling to fabrics, mostly in carpet, furniture and, sometimes, clothing. Regular cleaning by vacuuming or washing fabrics will take care of this problem.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Erik Bakirov
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.} Pest Control Specialist Scott McCombe suggests you "vacuum with a HEPA vacuum." ^{[2]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} Other experts also confirm that this is the most efficient way to vacuum the mites up.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.}
2
Protect your bed. The place in your home with the highest concentration of dust mites is likely your bed; those little buggers get trapped in the mattress pad and pillows, creating waste as they go. Pest Control Specialist Scott McCombe suggests you take preventative measures by "installing allergen-proof bedding, washing/dry cleaning pillows, sheets and blankets in 130°F+ water."^{[4]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} In addition, protect your bed by encasing your mattress and pillows in dust-proof covers. This will block out mites and prevent buildup of dust mite waste.

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3
Keep your fabrics clean. Bedding is the most likely home of dust mites, but they are heavily present in most fabrics. Aim to wash household fabrics (bedding, pillowcases, curtains, blankets, etc.) once every 1-2 weeks. To kill any dust mites that might be present, use the hottest water the fabric can handle. Pest Control Specialist Scott McCombe recommends that you use "130°F+ water".^{[5]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.}
4
Dust often.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Erik Bakirov
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.} Pest Control Specialist Scott McCombe explains, "Dust mites can be controlled using a multi-tiered approach of sanitation, prevention and treatments. Sanitation includes the removal of dust and dust collecting items."^{[7]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} It may seem obvious, but dust mites tend to accumulate in dust. Therefore, make sure your house is as dust-free as possible by wiping down stationary objects often. Use a damp duster or cloth to avoid simply stirring up the mite waste and allergens. If you are allergic to dust mites, wear a mask as you dust to avoid inhaling irritants.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.}
5
Check your home humidity. Pest Control Specialist Scott McCombe recommends that you "keep humidity low."^{[9]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} Create an environment in which it makes it difficult for dust mites to thrive. These little bugs typically enjoy high humidity, warm environments. Use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity level in your home at 50% or below. You can additionally use an air conditioner to keep your house cool, another deterrent for dust mites.
6
Replace favorite homes of dust mites. If mites are really a problem in your home and you’re not opposed to spending a bit of money, make changes to create a house uninhabitable by dust mites. Replace carpet flooring with wood or tile floors, and remove as much fabric as possible. Use bedding made out of synthetic rather than down filler and take down any curtains.
7
Filter out mites. Keep the dust mites that you clean up permanently out of your house by using filters in your vacuum cleaner and vents. HEPA filters will trap the mites and their waste as they pass through, keeping them from re-entering your home.^{[10]
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8
Freeze the mites. If you have certain items that you can’t wash but may be full of mites or mite waste, place it in the freezer for 24 hours. This will kill the mites and make it easier to clean up afterwards.^{[11]
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9
Use an insecticide. According to Pest Control Specialist Scott McCombe, "Treatments can be in the form of steam application, conventional pesticides applied to floor surfaces, rugs and carpets, couches and box springs, and bed frames."^{[12]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} As a last measure, you can use an insecticide inside your home to kill any dust mites. Look for one that advertises mites as its primary target, or hire someone to come kill the bugs for you. Keep in mind that using a bug-killing spray may give your home an odor or be the source of other limitations.^{[13]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Rid of Other Types of Mites

1
Get rid of ear mites. Use an ear dropper filled with mineral oil for ear mites. Ear mites are extremely obnoxious pests that usually inhabit dogs and cats' ears more often than humans. Find a common earwax dropper at your local pharmacy, and fill it up with mineral oil. Apply to the whole of your pet's ear, inside and around the inside of the fleshy part.
- Keep your pets outside during this time so they do not spill the oil on your furniture or carpet.
2
Treat for itch mites. Apply sulfur lotion to the entirety of your body if you have scabies (itch mites). Most experts recommend over-the-counter Lindane as a fairly non-toxic substance. Pure sulfur also works, but is harder to obtain and has a very noxious odor. Make sure you shower thoroughly before application. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before use because some of these scabies treatments do require a prescription due to their toxicity.
3
Kill off spider mites. Introduce predator mites in your garden if you have spider mites. Spider mites feast on vegetation in gardens and lawns, killing droves of plants. You can purchase a small colony of predator mites, which actually prove beneficial to your garden's habitat. You can also choose to use chemical treatments, though this may risk the health of your vegetation; so predator mites are an easy, non-toxic alternative.
4
Get rid of bird mites. These mites can be found indoors and outdoors and are carried by birds. The only way to really get rid of them is through insecticide use, but this is best left done by an exterminator. Move any bird nests close to your home and cut down tree limbs near your house. If the mites are present in farm birds - like chickens - replace all nesting materials and add fresh garlic to their drinking water.^{[14]
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5
Keep clover mites to a minimum. Clover mites are reddish brown in color and don't present much of a threat to humans or animals. If they are bothering you though, you can kill them off by mixing borax with warm water and spraying the solution where you notice the mites. This will kill them off and prevent more from joining the party.^{[15]
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6
Increase the number of spiders in your area. The last thing some people may want is to bring spiders willingly into their home or garden. However, spiders are a natural enemy of mites and will work to eat them. Keeping spiders around will reduce the total number of mites you have at any one time, and keep it that way. Therefore, don’t kill spiders when you see them in or around your home.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you prevent mites naturally?

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Jon Gholian is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Cleany, a home and office cleaning concierge service based in New York City, New Jersey & Miami. Cleany specializes in providing quality cleaning and handyman services to all their customers. All Cleany employees are insured, bonded, and professionally trained. Cleany has been featured in the New York Times, Bravo & Redfin.

Jon Gholian

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Keeping your home clean by vacuuming and cleaning regularly is really the best thing you can do.
Question

Why are HEPA filters better than regular vacuum bags?

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Jon Gholian is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Cleany, a home and office cleaning concierge service based in New York City, New Jersey & Miami. Cleany specializes in providing quality cleaning and handyman services to all their customers. All Cleany employees are insured, bonded, and professionally trained. Cleany has been featured in the New York Times, Bravo & Redfin.

Jon Gholian

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

HEPA filter vacuums do a much better job of trapping mites and allergens. With a regular vacuum bag, things can escape quite easily.