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Just imagining finding a large infestation of mites in your everyday bedding (mattress) is enough to send shivers down your spine. This article will discuss mite characteristics, extermination methods, and prevention measures.
Masahiro Nakajima
PhD in Science / CFO of Brain Sleep Co., Ltd. / Advanced Sleep Health Instructor
Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1983. Graduated from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, the University of Tokyo in 2007, and completed his PhD in Physics at the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo in 2012 (PhD in Science). Joined Brain Sleep Co., Ltd. as a director at its establishment in May 2019. As CFO, he oversees financial aspects and sleep consulting-related businesses for partner companies, in addition to conducting sleep research based on the results of sleep-related epidemiological surveys published as "Sleep Deviation Score" and supporting corporate health management. Obtained advanced sleep health instructor qualification in November 2021.
What are mites?
Mites are said to inhabit any dusty area in a house. They are highly adaptable, and the warm, humid environment where humans live is comfortable for them. However, most of them are too small to be seen with the naked eye, which makes them difficult to exterminate.
What causes them? Places and conditions that mites prefer and where they reproduce.
Mites are found worldwide, and there are thought to be tens of thousands of species, but 70-80% of mites found in homes are said to be house dust mites.
House dust mites feed on human dander, skin flakes, and sweat, making mattresses, which are abundant in these food sources, ideal breeding grounds. Furthermore, with modern heating and residential environments, and the widespread use of humidifiers and air conditioners, a year-round paradise-like living environment for mites is maintained. When suitable breeding conditions align, large numbers of mites can quickly infest.
What kind of damage do house dust mites cause?
House dust mites are not said to cause direct harm to humans, but if their dead bodies and feces become fine powder and enter the body, they can cause allergic diseases such as asthma, dermatitis, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis.
Furthermore, mite allergens are said to be the cause of 50-80% of childhood asthma, so sufficient measures are necessary for households with small children or those with house dust allergies.
Are there mites other than house dust mites?
While house dust mites account for the majority of mites found in homes, other types of mites can also appear.
Mites known as Cheyletiellidae live in carpets and tatami mats and prey on other mites. They do not suck blood, but they occasionally bite humans by mistake to feed on bodily fluids, which can cause bites.
Ordinarily, house mites (Ornithonyssus bacoti) parasitize rodents and birds, but when these hosts die, the mites may seek a new host and feed on human blood. Being bitten can lead to infections, so if you find dead rodents or after exterminating them, thoroughly eliminate mites throughout the entire room.
Furthermore, ticks primarily inhabit outdoor areas but can parasitize pets. They are large mites visible to the naked eye, and a human bite carries a high risk of infection, so caution is necessary.
Three Key Points for Mattress Mite Control
We've explained the types of mites and the damage they can cause. It must be scary to think about sleeping in your own mattress. However, there's no problem if you take proper measures against mites. Here, we'll explain how to deal with mites in your mattress.
Mite control must be carried out in the order of extermination, removal, and prevention.
STEP 1: Exterminate Mites
Vacuuming alone is not effective enough to remove all live mites, so exterminate them first. There are several methods for exterminating mites in mattresses, so choose the method that suits your mattress type (coil or non-coil) and budget.
High-temperature washing & drying of the cover fabric
If your mattress has a removable cover fabric, this method is recommended. Mites can be exterminated at 60℃.
- Effectiveness: Excellent
- Cost: Low
Cleaning service
Although the cost is high, it can thoroughly remove mites as well as mold, sweat stains, and other dirt.
- Effectiveness: Excellent
- Cost: High
Heat treatment with a futon dryer
Performing heat treatment twice a day, morning and evening, for several consecutive days, can further enhance mite extermination effects.
- Effectiveness: Good
- Cost: High
Chemical treatment
Chemicals for mattress mite extermination are commercially available. You can exterminate mites at a reasonable price, but be careful not to overuse the chemicals.
- Effectiveness: Good
- Cost: Low
Steam iron
While highly effective at killing mites, there's a risk of damaging the fabric with heat, so be careful. Also, the effort required to dry the mattress is a drawback.
- Effectiveness: Good
- Cost: Medium
Mite traps
While not immediately effective, they are recommended for mite prevention. They can also help confirm if mites are present. However, they are not suitable for dealing with an existing large mite infestation.
- Effectiveness: Fair
- Cost: Medium
Hot water
It's easy and effective, but be careful as it can damage materials. It can significantly worsen the feel of some materials, so it's not highly recommended.
- Effectiveness: Excellent
- Cost: Low
Many people may have the impression that sun-drying is good for mite control, but sun-drying alone is not very efficient for the effort involved, as mites simply escape deeper into the futon before their body temperature rises.
Also, while aromas can repel mites, they cannot kill them and offer only temporary relief for mite control. While dehumidifiers can help prevent mite outbreaks by reducing humidity, they are not suitable for exterminating mites that have already appeared.
Heat treatment, drying, high-temperature washing, and chemicals are effective for mite extermination. Additionally, it is recommended to wash sheets and pillowcases once a week and regularly wash futons.
STEP 2: Remove Mites
Step 1 alone will leave behind mite carcasses and droppings, so removal is necessary next. Mite carcasses, droppings, and shed skins are called mite allergens and can cause allergic diseases. If your bedding is full of mite allergens due to neglected vacuuming, you may inhale droppings while sleeping, so mite extermination and removal must be done together.
Even if you don't have a specialized mattress cleaner, a powerful vacuum cleaner is sufficient. Vacuum thoroughly once or twice a week. It's important to vacuum the entire mattress surface carefully, but pay extra attention to areas where mites are likely to be hiding.
Areas where mites are most likely to be found:
- The head end of the mattress surface
- The gap between the mattress and the bed frame
- The gaps in the quilting (seams of the outer cover)
Also, if your mattress cover is machine washable, it's recommended to vacuum the polyurethane surface as well. Be sure to vacuum up any dander or hair. Even if any mites survive, they will dry out and die inside the vacuum cleaner, so you can vacuum with peace of mind.
STEP 3: Prevent Mites
Once the mites have been removed, take steps to prevent future infestations.
Mites thrive in high temperatures (human body temperature, climate), humidity (sweat, climate, condensation), and dirt (shed skin, dander, sebum) as a food source. Therefore, it's crucial to use mite repellents to keep them away.
Furthermore, regular, easy maintenance can prevent mites from appearing.
Mattress care methods
- 【Every morning】Turn back the covers to let moisture escape when you wake up.
- 【Once or twice a week】Change and wash bed sheets.
- 【Every 2-3 weeks】Prop the mattress against a wall to air it out.
- 【Once a month】Vacuum the bed and mattress.
- 【Every 2-3 months】Wash the mattress pad.
- 【Once every six months】Rotate the mattress.
Proper mattress care prevents moisture and dirt buildup, which is effective in preventing mites.
Sun-drying is effective for prevention! Tips for drying a mattress.
While sun-drying is not very effective for extermination, it is a valid preventative measure. It also removes moisture from sweat-soaked futons, drying them to prevent odors, inhibit bacteria and mold, and make the futons fluffy.
However, be careful as incorrect drying can shorten the lifespan of your futon.
1: Dry on a dry day
Futons absorb moisture easily, so if you dry them in the early morning or evening, they will become damp. Therefore, dry them during the daytime on a sunny day. Even on a sunny day, if it rained the day before, it is not suitable for drying.
2: Thoroughly dry both sides
Dry the side that touches your skin face up for a longer period, then flip it over and thoroughly dry both sides. Direct sunlight can cause the futon to fade and get damaged, so dry it with a cover or sheet on. This is especially important for down comforters, which are delicate.
3: Cover with a black cloth or plastic bag
Mites only die at temperatures above 50°C. Even if you sun-dry your futon, it won't completely eliminate mites.
An effective method for this is to cover it with a black cloth or plastic bag while drying. Black absorbs sunlight easily, so covering the futon while drying it can raise the internal temperature of the futon above 50 degrees Celsius. While specialized futon drying covers are available, you can substitute them with black cloth or plastic bags you have at home.
4: Do not beat the futon vigorously
When you beat a futon with a futon beater, it may appear that dust is being removed, but in reality, the fibers of the batting are just being crushed. Beating it too hard can not only damage the futon but also cause mite carcasses to become fine and rise to the surface of the futon, potentially worsening allergy symptoms.
Especially in the case of down comforters, it can cause down feathers to blow out from the quilted areas, reducing the comforter's lifespan. When using a futon beater, do not strike it hard; instead, gently brush the surface of the futon sideways to remove dust.
5: Vacuum the surface of the futon after bringing it in
Vacuuming can remove dead mites and dust. By doing so, and following the mite prevention tips above, you can maintain clean and comfortable bedding.
How to prevent mites in your mattress?
Some people may find mite extermination and prevention measures difficult. For such individuals, a fiber-based mattress that prevents high temperature and humidity and can be washed entirely with a shower is recommended. This type of mattress is a win-win, as it can maintain a comfortable temperature and humidity, thus improving sleep quality.
Fiber-based "BRAIN SLEEP MATTRESS FLOAT"
Utilizes our proprietary three-dimensional "Green Fiber" structure. Elastic tubular fibers, used in medical and care settings, are layered to create a three-dimensional arrangement that incorporates air, achieving high elasticity and ultra-breathability. Composed of over 90% air pockets, it prevents heat and moisture from building up during sleep, creating a comfortable sleeping environment.
Additionally, it can be easily washed with a shower. Regular washing of mattresses, which easily absorb sweat and sebum, helps suppress the growth of mites and mold.
Mites also lurk in pillows...
Like mattresses, pillows, which easily get dirty with dander and sweat, are also common breeding grounds for mites. If only the mattress is cleaned, but the pillow remains infested with mites, the root problem won't be solved. So, why not take this opportunity to purchase a mattress and pillow set to improve both mite control and sleep?
Similar to the mattress, the "BRAIN SLEEP PILLOW" is made by weaving polyethylene, making it less likely for dirt to seep in and become impossible to remove. It can be easily cleaned with a shower. It is recommended to clean it about once every three months, but since it can be hand-washed at home, you can wash it whenever you are concerned about dirt or odor, keeping it clean at all times.
Because the material itself is less prone to mite and mold growth, it can be used with peace of mind by people with house dust or allergies, or those who sleep with small children.
To achieve quality sleep free from mites
Mites, which can cause allergies, dermatitis, and infections, thrive in hot and humid environments. To avoid being affected by mites, use mite-resistant bedding and implement appropriate extermination and prevention measures.
