Dust mites are microscopic and thrive in warm and humid environments such as bedding. Their droppings are the most common cause of dust mite related allergies. Dust mites can't be seen with the naked eye, but they play havoc with our noses, throat, eyes, ears, skin & lungs!

Dust Mites Are Microscopic Monsters

As mentioned, dust mites are microscopic, about 50 of them can fit on the head of a pin. They are invisible to the naked eye and are related to a microscopic tick.

Life cycle

The expected life span of a male dust mite is from 10 to 19 days. The much longer lasting female dust mite can survive over three times as long, laying 60 to 100 eggs in the last 5 weeks of her life. Over a period of around 70 days, a dust mite will produce approximately 2,000 fecal particles and an even larger number of partially digested enzyme-covered dust particles.

Dust Mite Diet

Dust Mites live on a diet of skin scales which we shed daily. They thrive in a warm and humid environment living and breeding in mattresses, bedding, blankets, doonas, pillows, under blankets, carpets and fabric covered furniture. Approximately 80% of asthmatics are allergic to dust mites.  Up to 2 million dust mites can live in a mattress.

Allergies with Dust Mites

Each day a dust mite produces up to 50 faecal pellets and these droppings are the most common cause of dust related allergies.

The symptoms of asthma and other allergic conditions caused by dust mites and its allergens are greatly reduced by the use of occlusive covers.

Asthma Australia (the association of all Asthma Foundations throughout Australia) doesn't recommend one type of quilt over another, but does recommend a dust mite-proof cover made from materials impenetrable to dust mites - your chemist or Asthma Foundation can advise on brands.