It is true that dust mites can not live without moist
air, but it's impportant to point out that even though
the mites themselves may be dead, their allergens
survive and can still cause major problems if they get
airborne. Also, FYI, freezing kills mites so a good
way to treat small items that may contain mites (such
as stuffed toys) is to freeze and thaw them.
Tom

--- "kengib ." <jkg4902@...> wrote:

> I found the following comments found at
>
http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/dust.htm<about:blank>
> about dust mites quite interesting. What I didn't
> know is that Dust mites I read are suppose to die
> when humidity falls below 40-50 per cent.
>
> I'll have to reprint the article and distribute with
> my literature about hypoallergenic bed sheets,
> pillow cases and pillows.
>
> Kenneth Gibala
>
> =================================================
> What are dust mites?
> Tiny microscopic creatures called dust mites are an
> important cause of allergic reactions to house dust.
> They belong to the family of eight-legged creatures
> called arachnids. This family also includes spiders,
> chiggers and ticks. Dust mites are hardy creatures
> that live well and multiply easily in warm, humid
> places. They prefer temperatures at or above 70°F
> with a relative humidity of 75-80 percent and die
> when the humidity falls below 40-50 percent. They
> are rarely found in dry climates.
>
> As many as 10 percent of the general population and
> 90 percent of people with allergic asthma are
> sensitive to dust mites. Recent studies in the
> United States suggest that at least 45 percent of
> young people with asthma are allergic to dust mites.
>
> People who are allergic to dust mites react to
> proteins in the bodies and feces of the mites. These
> fecal particles are found in the highest
> concentrations in pillows, mattresses, carpeting,
> and upholstered furniture. They float into the air
> when anyone vacuums, walks on a carpet or disturbs
> bedding, but settle out of the air once the
> disturbance is over. Dust mite-allergic people who
> inhale these particles frequently experience allergy
> symptoms. In fact, a dust mite allergic patient who
> sleeps for 8 hours every night spends one third of
> his life with his nose in direct contact with a
> pillow loaded with dust mite particles!
>
> There may be many as 19,000 dust mites in one gram
> of dust, but usually between 100 to 500 mites live
> in each gram. (A gram is about the weight of a paper
> clip.) Each mite produces about 10-20 waste
> particles per day and lives for 30 days. Egg-laying
> females can add 25-30 new mites to the population
> during their lifetime.
>
> Mites eat particles of skin and dander, so they
> thrive in places where there are people. Dust mites
> don't bite, cannot spread diseases and usually do
> not live on people. They are harmful only to people
> who become allergic to them. While usual household
> insecticides have no effect on dust mites, there are
> ways to reduce exposure to dust mites in the home.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>
>
>


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