MITES |
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WORLDWIDE!, dust mites are the main
causative agent of one of the worst
ailments of the twentieth-century man. They Live in your House and
feed
on your dead skin. Adults shed several pounds of skin each year and your
vacuum is just blowing most of it round and round. Your Carpet should be
cleaned professionally by a truck-mounted unit as the vacuum motor is outside
your dwelling and wont recirculate the particles from the vacuum motor
blower. A vacuum would explode if it didn't allow air to escape . The measure
is in microns which determines the size of allowable air particles that
pass
through. Your vacuum is a lint machine . The vacuum in a truck
mounted
carpet steamer forces all particles through water and is also outside your
dwelling. You don't need to wait until your carpet LOOKS dirty for it to BE
Dirty.
Asthma
As there has been increasing prevalence of asthma which are mite-related in
both adult and children not only in Western countries but also in Asian
Pacific countries, there is an urgent need for mite education.
The fundamental thing to know is that mites are diverse small arthropods.The
ones which are particularly linked to asthma are collectively called house
dust mites having their permanent residency in house dust.
That house dust contain allergens causing asthmatic symptoms was first
suggested in 1921. However, analysis of dust did not come about until 1964
when a group of investigators led by Voohorst suggested that a mite may be
responsible for the dust allergen. Results of such studies identified one
mite species after another and showed variable distribution from one home to
another, from one room to another of the same home, and from different home
soft furnishings. Their predominance or survival depend on richness of their
diet and suitability of temperature and relative humidity of their habitats.
In general, humid homes have more mite and therefore more allergen.
Soon it was established that the faecal pellets which mites egest and
accumulate in home fabrics are allergenic. When these become airborne
following our domestic activities such as vacuuming or dusting, we inevitably
inhale these particles eliciting from some of us, who are atopic, allergic
reactions.
Today, global studies aimed ultimately towards mite management have increased
steadily. Of utmost importance towards the fulfillment of this aim, however,
is a comprehensive understanding of the following:
mite taxonomy
morphology, nutrition, life cycle, reproduction
mite ecology-geographical and habitat distribution, seasonal distribution
Physically
encasing bedding and pillows are effective and commonly recommended. Impermeable
rubber or vinyl plastic and vapor-permeable material which
"breathe" are commonly used.
Washing at 60 degrees C or higher is effective. Hot water (130 degrees C) has been shown to kill all mites.
Cold water washing removes about 90% of the mites
Dry cleaning kills all mites. It is also very effective at physically removing dust from items such as bedding.
Heat may be applied in different ways:
All
mites are killed by treating carpets with liquid nitrogen. Most mites are killed
in a few minutes at -30 degrees C with survival being longer in moist air, eggs
surviving longer than adults in moist air but a shorter time in very dry air.
Placing items such as stuffed toys overnight in a chest freezer has been
recommended as a method to kill mites.
Although
a control measure, it has a little effect on mite populations-only a low
percentage are removed, which may be less than the rate of population growth.
There
are concerns about the use of chemicals. However, studies are done to test them
for acaricidal properties. The following are some acaricides commonly used:
This
is the active ingredient of Acarosan, Allerbiocid (100) and Artilin 3A. It has
also used in bed encasings or impregnated sheets and in laundry washing
compound. Benzyl alcohol (the active ingredient of DMS (now DAC), because of
volatility, may be highly considered because it leaves no residues.
Other
chemicals that are acaricidal are pyrethrum analogues used in Acardust and Dust
Mite Patrol, perimiphos methyl, organophosphates, pyridazinones, and plant
essential oils.
Fungicides
such as natamycin are also used to kill mites, i.e. as mite proliferation is
closely related to growth of fungi. Thus, it works on the rationale that if
fungi are controlled, mites may also be controlled.
