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Dust mites belong to the uninvited, but unfortunately also very common inhabitants of our household. They occur in mattresses, carpets, upholstery – and can cause unpleasant health problems not only for allergy sufferers, but practically everyone. It is therefore necessary to get rid of them effectively and prevent their return. But how? Rely on natural remedies that are cheap and gentle. We’ll tell you which are the best.
How do dust mites get to us?
Dust mites tend to be more active mainly at night and females lay hundreds of eggs over their lifetime. These are only about the size of dust particles, so they are hard to see with the naked eye. They usually enter the house with luggage or used furniture. They are very resistant to various common insecticides.
Tea tree oil
A far better route than using chemical and irritating insecticides is to rely on natural methods. One of the most effective is tea tree oil. Mix 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil together with 50 ml of water. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and shake well. Then spray the solution on places where dust mites are often found. Do this every day until you notice that the white eggs have disappeared.
Lavender oil
Mix 10-15 drops of lavender oil with 50 ml of water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray on places where dust mites commonly occur. You can also use dried lavender and place it where you usually find mites. Put it at the edges of the bed, in corners behind furniture, etc.
Eucalyptus oil
You will need 100 g of water, 70 g of vodka and 40 drops of eucalyptus oil. Pour all of this into a spray bottle and proceed as usual. Repeat every two hours for an extra strong effect.
Cloves
Mites tolerate intense scents poorly. Cloves therefore reliably deter them. Mix a few drops of clove essential oil with water and apply with a spray bottle to the affected areas.
Wash and vacuum often
Dust mites are fairly resilient and it is very difficult to get rid of them using only a vacuum cleaner or regular cleaning. What can help a lot, however, is washing regularly at least at a temperature above 60°C. Only then are mites hiding in duvets or pillows reliably eliminated. When washing, use only a minimal amount of detergent and instead of fabric softener add a little vinegar and a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Let bedding or other covers dry ideally in direct sunlight.
