For those who’re vulnerable to allergic reactions or bronchial asthma signs, you could be questioning the way to eliminate mud mites. These seemingly innocent microscopic creatures do not chew or unfold illness, however their waste and physique fragments can set off reactions in delicate individuals.
Mud mites feed on useless pores and skin flakes from people and animals, making our mattresses, bedding and carpets the proper locations for them to reside. They thrive in humid situations and reproduce rapidly, so it is necessary to maintain humidity ranges under 50%.
Identical to their distant cousins – the spider and the tick – there are a number of issues you are able to do to eliminate them, similar to common cleansing and utilizing pure deterrents. To find the very best methods to banish them and spot the indicators of an infestation, we requested pest management specialists for his or her recommendation.
eliminate mud mites
1. Common cleansing
To discourage mud mites, be sure you’re washing your bedding, sheets, pillowcases, and quilt covers as soon as every week in sizzling water, advises Daniel Steward, Managing Director at Protect Pest Management.
If a sizzling wash isn’t potential, he recommends tumble drying on excessive warmth for round 10 to fifteen minutes. You may additionally wish to vacuum your mattresses, carpets and fabric weekly, in addition to steam-clean your comfortable furnishings.
2. Use protecting covers
Your mattress is likely one of the hottest spots for mud mites, so Daniel suggests defending your pillows and mattress with a mud mite-proof cowl (just like the one under).
“Cut back the variety of comfortable surfaces the place mites can reside – swap out heavy curtains for washable blinds, restrict plush toys, and keep away from wall-to-wall carpeting in bedrooms if potential,” he provides. “Maintaining your area easy makes cleansing simpler and more practical.”
3. Preserve the air cool and dry
Since mud mites thrive in heat, humid environments, attempt to preserve the air as cool and dry as potential in your house. Daniel recommends sustaining temperatures under 21°C and humidity ranges underneath 50%, which the finest dehumidifier will help you to attain.
4. Attempt pure remedies
Along with the steps above, you possibly can attempt a pure remedy similar to sprinkling a mix of baking soda and some drops of important oil in your mattress or carpet. Let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it up.
Prime merchandise to discourage mud mites
Created from 100% cotton, these pillow covers present safety in opposition to mud mites and match comfortably beneath your common slip.
With a 360° closure and waterproof design, this mattress protector will preserve mud mites out and is on the market in 5 sizes.
This dehumidifier is reasonably priced to run, costing simply 6p per hour, and comes with a free HEPA filter that purifies the air – preferrred for allergy victims.

With 24 years of expertise within the pest management business, Daniel has developed a deep understanding of the varied diagnostic strategies and methods used to get rid of pests from properties and companies.
What scent repels mud mites?
Utilizing strong-smelling pure oils (like these important oils from Amazon) is one other nice method to repel mud mites. Daniel Steward recommends tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, clove, peppermint, and lemongrass.
Right here’s the way to apply them in your house:
- Combine a number of drops of important oil with water or white vinegar in a twig bottle
- Evenly mist your mattress, bedding, carpets, curtains and fabric
- Add a number of drops of oil to your laundry when washing bedding in sizzling water
- Let all the things dry utterly earlier than use
How are you aware in case you have mud mites?
1. Pores and skin irritation
Have you ever seen delicate rashes, itching, or eczema flare-ups? In response to Daniel Steward, this may very well be an indication of mud mites – particularly in case your pores and skin improves once you’re away from residence. You may additionally see small crimson bumps or irritated patches in your face, neck, or arms.
2. Environmental clues
We are able to’t see mud mites with the bare eye, however you possibly can search for indicators in your house, similar to mud buildup on furnishings or musty-smelling bedding.
3. Allergy signs
If mud mites are current in your house, you may expertise signs similar to sneezing, a runny or stuffy nostril, itchy or watery eyes, coughing, or wheezing. Daniel notes that these signs are normally worse at night time or within the morning.
The place do mud mites reside?
Mud mites are generally present in bedding, mattresses, upholstered furnishings and carpets, in accordance with Tony King, pest management skilled at The Pied Piper. He explains that pillows are the worst offenders, as they entice heat and moisture from our breath and pores and skin.
He says, “Research point out {that a} pillow’s weight can escalate by as a lot as 10% after two years of utilization, as a result of presence of mud mites and their waste.”

Tony King is the proprietor and supervisor of The Pied Piper, a number one pest management service that has been in operation for greater than 25 years. His group of pros will help get rid of all the things from mouse infestations to slug intrusions.
Mud mites are present in almost all properties within the UK, and round one in 5 adults and one in twenty kids are allergic to them, in accordance with the NHS. Nonetheless, by following the steps above, you possibly can assist cut back these signs.
For extra pest management recommendation, try our tips about the way to eliminate silverfish – one other undesirable creature that thrives in humid situations.