Feather mites - how to get rid of them

Description of the parasite, causes of appearance

Ticks belong to the family of small arachnids.
They are divided into two orders: acariformes and parasitiforms. Acariform mites are closer to phalangeal arachnids, while parasitiform mites belong to the class of harvesters. The feather mite (photo presented in the article) belongs to the order Acariformes. The parasite is almost impossible to detect; it has a transparent scaly body, and its dimensions do not exceed 0.5 mm in length. Due to the peculiarities of its structure, it cannot bite a person, however, the protein that it secretes in the process of life can cause an acute allergic reaction.

The main reasons for the appearance of the insect are unsanitary conditions and careless attitude towards personal and bedding. Ticks spread very quickly. It is impossible to completely get rid of them, but you can significantly reduce their numbers.

Habitat

The pests live and breed on birds' feathers, causing them to fall out over time. In residential buildings, feather mites are most often found in pillows (photo below), upholstered furniture, carpeting and places where dust accumulates. However, down and feather pillows are considered the most favorable habitat for the parasite.

Feather base and human sweat combine to create the optimal temperature and humidity necessary for insect reproduction. Most people ventilate the room before going to bed, thereby improving the living conditions of the insect, since fresh air is one of the main components of its life support.

If not properly cared for, any down or feather product will gain weight after a few years due to the accumulation of dust and mites. On average, there are up to 200 individuals for every centimeter of feather pillow. As a rule, parasites get onto human skin from down or feather products, causing clearly noticeable discomfort.

Since it is extremely difficult to completely get rid of feather mites, down and feather filling of bedding is prohibited in most developed countries. This mainly concerns municipal children's institutions, hospitals, sanatoriums, hotels, barracks and student dormitories.

Modern manufacturers give preference to synthetic fillers such as padding polyester and holofiber. It is much easier to care for such products; in addition, the existence of parasites in them is almost impossible. For people who prefer natural materials, bedding with bamboo or coconut fiber, buckwheat, pine needles and even purified meadow hay is recommended. It is advisable to update pillows once a year.

Danger to humans

If treatment is not started in time, feather mites can cause acute allergic reactions or aggravate existing diseases:

• Asthma. The patient experiences attacks of the disease more often.
• Allergies are possible with a severe cough, watery eyes and runny nose. If you eliminate the allergen, you feel better and the symptoms disappear.
• Hives are accompanied by itching, and characteristic pink spots appear on the body.
• Atopic dermatitis - manifested by redness and peeling of some areas of the skin, severe itching is possible. The disease requires long-term treatment.
• Swelling of the airways is the most dangerous possible reaction, as it can be fatal.

Dust mites - how to get rid of parasites using modern means

Fighting dust mites using modern means is more convenient, faster, but requires the expenditure of certain funds.

• Upholstered furniture, carpeting, and the entire room can be treated with a spray. There are special acaricidal agents for dust mites, for example Easy Air, Allergoff.
• When washing by machine or hand, add hypoallergenic additives - Allergen Wash, Allergoff.
• Use air conditioners and various air purifiers equipped with water filters.
• Clean household appliances and furniture at least from time to time with antibacterial wipes that contain special impregnations.
• Buy a vacuum cleaner with an aqua filter and vacuum all floor coverings and upholstered furniture before washing the floor. In such models, dust settles in the water, rather than being sprayed back around the room, as in conventional vacuum cleaners.

What are feather mites?

Feather mites can feel comfortable not only in blankets and pillows, but also in other products consisting of down or feathers. The tick lives for about 80 days, and leaves behind a clutch of eggs, the number of which reaches 60-70 pieces. They live in entire colonies. One gram of dust can contain from 10 to 10,000 individuals. The norm is the presence of up to 100 parasites in 1 g of dust, since this concentration of insects is quite safe for humans.

Dust (feather) mites are synanthropic organisms. They always live next to a person. Ideal conditions have been created here: fairly warm, moderate humidity, plenty of food. Mites often feed on woolen lint in bedding. However, the main source of food is dead human skin cells, of which there are about one and a half grams daily.

What does a feather mite look like? Photo under a microscope

Few people know that feather mites are individuals belonging to the group of pests Dermatophagoides (dust parasites). They are characterized by a body length of 0.1 to 0.5 mm. This allows them to remain undetected for a long time. Moreover, in a dream, when a person’s head is on the pillow, there are no external sensations. Even the appearance of a large number of pests does not cause discomfort during rest.

If you are wondering what ticks look like in pillows, you need to consider that they move using 4 pairs of limbs. Moreover, there are suction cups and claw-like protrusions on the legs. This allows pests to stay on the fluff of the fluff. The body of parasites is oval, convex.

These mites have powerful mouthparts

(consisting of claw-shaped chelicerae), thanks to this, pests chew through particles of dead epidermis.

Feather mite under a microscope. Feather mites have powerful mouthparts Photo of a feather mite under a microscope

What does a tick look like?

The animal belongs to the class of arachnids, its dimensions range from 0.1-0.5 mm. Ticks have a whole body or a body divided into two halves and six pairs of limbs. The four pairs located at the back of adults are the legs, and the front pair or chelicerae with claws or are part of the mouth structures.

Chelicerae can fuse with the second pair of limbs and together enter the oral complex, being its piercing-cutting structures. In most species, the entire body is covered with a hard chitinous shell, and only in a few the body has soft covers. As a rule, mites have 4 simple eyes in the form of pigment spots, but there are representatives of this subclass that do not have eyes.

Only a few species feed on blood, but almost all representatives of this subclass are dangerous to humans or are pests. Most animals eat decomposing food of organic origin, and are an important link in the production of humus. In some families, a phenomenon called omovampirism is observed, when a hungry arachnid attacks a well-fed relative and eats the blood he drinks.

The lifespan of animals ranges from 65 to 80 days if the temperature in the house is kept between 18-25°C and the relative humidity is above 50-55%. Under these conditions, one adult female can lay about 60 eggs in one clutch.

Harm from mites in bedding

Without examining bedding using a microscope, it will not be possible to identify unwanted neighbors - their sizes are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye.

Colonies of microscopic insects, fungi and bacteria inhabit any dusty corners of the apartment, actively growing on bed linen, in the thickness of pillows and mattresses, in the pile of the carpet and soft toys.

It is almost impossible to get rid of them once and for all, but this is not a reason to completely ignore the problem. Acarids cannot cause direct harm to humans, because they do not feed on blood through bites, but on exfoliated skin flakes, particles of sweat, dandruff, and sebum. But their excrement poses a serious threat.

The size of an adult varies from 0.1 to 0.5 mm, and its waste products are even smaller. During the digestion process, ticks have to produce large amounts of enzymes that break down the human epidermis.

Practice shows that people who love space, who toss and turn in their sleep and who have respectable dimensions are satisfied with the size of a single bed.

Almost every car bed model has a trunk box, which is suitable for storing bed linen and pillows. There are voluminous crib bodies that replicate the silhouettes of real cars, with spinning wheels made of soft plastic. Details here.

Fecal pellets left by insects contain these components in high concentrations. They are the main threat to the human body.

Getting on the mucous membranes when breathing, settling on the skin, attacking the eyes and polluting the lungs, the active substances cause serious disturbances in the respiratory system, irritate the skin, and can cause impairment of vision and smell.

The most common diseases and symptoms, the invisible cause of which are mites in pillows:

• allergies accompanied by rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma attacks;
• atopic dermatitis;
• swelling of the respiratory tract, trophoneurotic edema or urticaria (Quincke's edema);
• up to 70% of diagnosed cases of bronchial asthma.

With a reduced immune barrier, they can cause skin irritations, acne and deep infections - other mites (for example, demodex) that parasitize directly in the human body can penetrate into microdamages in the skin formed under the action of enzymes.

Dust mite repellent

Acaricidal drugs will help destroy the parasite. Active substances disrupt the functions of the parasite’s nervous system, causing paralysis and death. The effect against dust mites lasts from 1 to 6 months.

On a note!

You can destroy dust mites at home with any insectoacaricidal agent that is used to exterminate harmful insects indoors.

But there is one “But!” If you are allergic to dust mites, you may also be allergic to a toxic drug, so you need to use special products. They are produced in the form of a spray, aerosol, concentrate. Used for cleaning carpets, wiping surfaces, treating the entire room, and adding to laundry. Acaricides kill parasites but do not harm humans.

Anti-dust mite products

• Oreck Full Release Allergen Control Carpet Cleaner. Trichlorometaphos-3 emulsion destroys house dust mites in a few minutes and remains effective for up to 6 months. Used for processing carpets. Dilute in hot and cold water in the proportions specified in the instructions. Apply to the pile and leave to dry. The anti-tick product does not require rinsing. The anti-dust product is made in the USA. You can buy it online. Price about 3000 rubles.
• Acaricidal aerosol produced in Poland. Active substances - transpermethrin (1%), pyriproxyfen (0.05%), benzyl benzoate (0.7%). The spray is sold in a 400 ml bottle in finished form. Shake the can well before use. Destroys dust mites at different stages of development. Spray around the apartment on any surface and leave to act. The dust effect lasts up to 7 months. The cost of an aerosol is within 2000 rubles.
• EASY AIR. The drug is made in Poland. It is an air purifying spray. The acaricidal drug is sold in a large 1 liter bottle. Before use, shake the can several times and spray into the air in the room. Protection against dust mites lasts about 2 weeks. Recommended for use after wet cleaning of the house. The price of the product is 1700 rubles.
• ACARIL ALLERSEARCH. The product destroys dust mites during washing. Add to washing machine. Made in the USA, you can buy it on the website. A 240 ml bottle is enough for 12 washes. Active ingredients: tea tree oil, methyl salicylate. The cost of an effective dust remover is 2,700 rubles.
• MILBIOL. Spray made in Switzerland. Used for processing carpets, furniture, and interior items. Spray in areas where the greatest accumulation of dust is observed. Bottle volume 250 ml. The action lasts for 14-30 days. The cost of the drug against dust mites is 170 rubles.

Anti-dust mite medications

Review

I have a terrible allergy to mites. Constant cleaning of the house, wiping furniture every day, changing bedding every week. Friends recommended Allergoff. This became my salvation. I cleaned up the apartment and have been living peacefully for six months now. I clean the house, but not so manically, not so often.

Irina, Moscow

The danger of a linen mite bite

Dust mites in pillows find themselves in greenhouse, extremely favorable conditions. Thanks to human sweat and the hygroscopicity of the materials used for bedding, an optimal humidity level is maintained inside.

The constant warm atmosphere of the bedroom is just as pleasant for microinsects as it is for people. And periodic drafts and ventilation only add comfort - they really love the flow of fresh air.

The colony multiplies very quickly, and there is more and more waste. Any mattress or feather product without proper care can double its weight in 5 years - that’s how much dirt, microorganisms and fungi accumulate there.

So it turns out that instead of proper rest, a person each time receives an increased dose of toxic allergens, inhaling them throughout the night. Moreover, symptoms and discomfort may appear 10–20 minutes after the start of contact with the bed.

And by the morning the result is manifested in all its glory - redness of the eyes, swelling of the face and mucous membranes, difficulty breathing, headache and scratching on the skin.

Hygiene standards in many countries do not allow the use of feather and down bedding. Such rules apply especially harshly to children's institutions, hospitals, hotels, hostels and other similar institutions.

The reason for the ban is the impossibility of complete and irreversible destruction of parasitic colonies of bed mites inside the product.

When purchasing bedding, it is better to give preference to fillers such as silicone, holofiber, padding polyester, and other synthetic materials. They are less susceptible to colonization by microorganisms, and caring for them is not so labor-intensive. From natural materials, you can choose bamboo or coconut fibers, buckwheat husks, and hop cones. As a summer cottage option, meadow hay is quite suitable - it is only important to ensure that no poisonous herbs or plants that cause allergic reactions are included in the collection (see Which filling is best for pillows).

It is advisable to change any pillows after six months (maximum a year) of regular use, especially for those stuffed with natural materials. This measure will most effectively protect against problems caused by proximity to ticks.

If this is not possible, then you can at least try to reduce the number of parasite colonies and get rid of their waste products.

Preventing the proliferation of dust mites

Preventive measures will help prevent the rapid growth of the dust mite population in the apartment. To do this you need:

• carry out wet cleaning of all vertical and horizontal surfaces in the room using disinfectants;
• regularly ventilate the premises, both in summer and winter;
• use of a vacuum cleaner with an aqua filter for cleaning;
• after 5 - 7 years, blankets, pillows and mattresses should be changed;
• replace fabric curtains and drapes with blinds;
• choose upholstered furniture whose upholstery material allows for wet processing;
• instead of carpeted floors, it is recommended to use paths or small carpets that can be periodically knocked out and taken out into the cold;
• it is necessary to carry out regular measures to care for the hair of pets, make sure that they sleep in a strictly designated place;
• Purchasing an air purifier with an ultraviolet lamp will help get rid of dust mites in your home.

To get rid of harmful insects, and thereby reduce the risk of allergic diseases, it will take a lot of effort and the implementation of a whole range of necessary conditions and measures.

However, it should be remembered that the main weapon that allows you to defeat the proliferation of dust mites is compliance with hygiene rules and maintaining cleanliness in your house or apartment.

How to deal with ticks in bed

Everyone knows that hygiene is the key to health. This rule turns out to be effective in any situation, and the problem with bed parasites is also partially solved by observing sanitary standards.

Frequent washing and obligatory ironing of pillowcases with a hot iron will help get rid of unwanted “tenants” on the surface. But deep cleaning will require more significant effort.

In hospitals or hotels, bedding should be processed in autoclaves - exposure to high temperature and pressure effectively destroys not only adult ticks, but also tick eggs.

Unfortunately, this approach greatly spoils the appearance of the products and requires special equipment, so it is not applicable at home. And public institutions often neglect the rules, so on a business trip or on vacation it is safer to purchase a small personal pillow than to use the one provided by the hotel.

As a last resort, you can sleep on an inflatable pillow - its surface is easy to clean and disinfect, so insects have no chance.

Feather mites in pillows can be destroyed by taking them outside at least once a month - the sun or frost will do the job perfectly. It is important to take into account that such temperature treatment cannot be short; 1 hour will not play a significant role.

A product with down or feather filling should be frozen for 24 hours, periodically shaking and fluffing (see Cleaning feather pillows). The sun's rays and a temperature of 40 degrees act slower than frost; you will have to fry for 2-3 days. The advantage of such procedures is that in 2–3 hours, under the influence of ultraviolet light, allergens are decomposed and neutralized.

A significant disadvantage is that sunbathing and street ventilation will only bring a temporary effect, since the adult individuals will die, but the eggs, which are very resistant to changes in external factors, will survive.

To reduce the contamination of the bedroom, it is necessary to carry out regular wet cleaning, dust in all accessible places, wash the floors and wipe the furniture with a strong saline solution (200 g of salt per bucket of water).

Any bedding, mattress covers, as well as fleecy bedspreads, blankets, pajamas, housecoats should be washed and shaken out as often as possible, and it is best to dry them in the sun - this will remove most of the acarids and their metabolic products.

Standard euro size of a single bed: length 200-210 cm, width 90-100 cm. All necessary accessories in European countries are produced in accordance with these measurements.

Removable bumpers for children's beds are very convenient because they can be removed at any time, and then the bed will return to its original appearance. Read a description of the types and designs of protective sides here.

For greater washing efficiency, you can use various acaricidal substances and additives. Easy to use sprays for upholstered furniture and fabric surfaces, additives to washing powder that neutralize mites and allergens produced by them.

As a rule, products with synthetic padding are easy to wash and dry quickly, so they are safer than feather and down ones.

How to get rid of ticks in pillows

It is impossible to completely exterminate all ticks, but you can try to reduce their population. The oldest and most proven method is called temperature exposure.

Pillows and blankets can be taken out into the cold in winter or warmed up in direct sunlight in summer. The period of such exposure should be long, preferably several days in a row.

Effective drugs

Mites on bedding can be easily eliminated by washing and carefully ironing. You can treat furniture and pillows with a steam cleaner, but the downside is that steam only kills adults and does not affect eggs and larvae.

Today there are many special acaricidal drugs that can cope with large numbers of ticks.

Akaril is available in liquid or powder form for cleaning carpets and washing bed linen. It can also be used to treat upholstered furniture and mattresses, but first dissolve it in water. According to users, the product is not bad, but it cannot clean the filling of pillows and feather beds. The advantage is that the product has a completely natural composition.

The cost of a 240 ml bottle is 2,700 rubles, and it is enough for 12 washes.

Allergorr is an excellent Polish spray to combat dust and feather mites. It is enough to spray it over the entire surface of the apartment, on pillows and bedding. The duration of the drug is up to 7 months.

According to reviews, Allergorr is considered one of the most effective products, without an unpleasant odor, and does not cause allergies when used. The price of a bottle (400 ml) is 1300-1700 rubles.

Another spray from the same series is the Swiss drug Milbiol. Users have only positive reviews of it, because it is enough to spray it on carpets, furniture, pillows and blankets. The product has a pleasant smell and does not cause allergic reactions. For a bottle of spray (250 ml) you need to pay only 130-150 rubles.

Folk recipes

In addition to chemical sprays, folk remedies are also used to combat ticks. They are safer, non-toxic, and do not harm pets or people. Although, acaricidal drugs are much more effective than traditional recipes.

You can prepare a lotion from water and tea tree oil, with the addition of a couple of drops of Eleutherococcus tincture. Before going to bed, apply the lotion to the skin of the face and neck, wipe the body.

This will repel parasites and make the bed safe.

Some housewives advise treating furniture and pillows with regular saline solution. The most modern way to get rid of feather mites is a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

It not only collects all the smallest particles of dust, but also destroys microscopic mites.

How to get rid of mites in feather pillows?

Caring for a feather and down pillow requires mandatory drying once a year in direct sunlight, washing the products and airing. But, unfortunately, standard care procedures only allow you to get rid of adult individuals, while the eggs remain viable. Even after washing, drying and airing, many feather mites remain inside.

Sanitary doctors from the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in Moscow recommend changing your sleeping pillow every 6 months.

In Europe, they are calling for a solution to the problem of feather insects by abandoning natural pillows filled with down or feathers. All European medical institutions and sanatoriums have already completely gotten rid of them. It is recommended to follow this rule at home: use only with artificial fillers and do not forget to change them at least once a year.

In the Russian tradition, following these recommendations is quite difficult. Soft and cozy pillows are often passed down from generation to generation. It's always hard to part with such things. In these cases, it may be recommended to perform special treatment of feathers and down against parasites.

At home, you can thoroughly rinse and sort the feather, having previously treated it with the following composition: soapy water (dissolve 400-500 grams of soap in 10 liters of water) + 1 tsp. boric acid powder + 100 gr. ammonia.

Fighting ticks in pillows is a labor-intensive procedure that requires regular repetitions, this is the only way you can protect yourself and your family from night attacks!

Which pillows do ticks not live in?

Fortunately, nowadays there are many other fillings for blankets, mattresses and pillows that are completely unsuitable for dust mites. The website "Who's Over 30" will tell you about the best of them.

Bio-pillows filled with buckwheat husks

This type of filler is very hygienic; it does not become clogged with dust or parasites.

Such bedding is absolutely not inhabited by insects; dust mites do not live in pillows filled with buckwheat husks, since there is no food for them.

In addition, such bedding is hypoallergenic and has an orthopedic effect.

Hypoallergenic pillows

These are accessories for sleeping and relaxation that are made from 100% natural materials - allergen-repellent wool and 100% cotton.

Such pillows are absolutely airtight, due to which neither dust nor parasites can get into their middle. The service life of such products is up to 10 years!

Caring for them is quite simple - you just need to change the pillowcases every two weeks, wash in lukewarm water, without using aggressive detergents, bleaches or conditioners.

Bamboo pillows

The fiber of this plant has unique natural properties, namely, bactericidal, antistatic, and deodorizing.

Dust mites do not live in such pillows. Bamboo fibers contain a natural antiseptic that prevents bacteria and parasites from multiplying.

About 70% of bacteria that land on a pillow die. It should be noted that over time, the antibacterial properties of bamboo pillows do not weaken, remaining even after numerous washes.

Folk remedies for dust mites

They are used in combination with other control methods - cleaning, washing, airing. Self-prepared remedies reduce the number of parasites or repel them.

• During cleaning, salt and baking soda are added to the water for wiping furniture and washing floors. For 10 liters of water, 1 tbsp. spoon of each ingredient. Stir thoroughly. If the concentration is higher, a white coating will remain on the surfaces. Apply every time during wet cleaning, at least once a week.
• Essential oils are added to the water when fighting dust. They use lavender, geranium, chamomile, rosemary, orange, etc. The rich smell repels ticks. For 10 liters of water, 5 drops of essential oil are required.
• Plants. To repel dust mites, geraniums are grown in the house and bouquets of lavender, mint, lemon balm, and chamomile are placed in the corners. The protection is valid as long as the aroma is present; it needs to be changed periodically.

Folk remedies for dust help reduce the number of dust parasites in the room, prevent colonization, but are ineffective without other control methods. It is imperative to carry out wet cleaning, ventilate the room, do laundry, and keep the house clean.

How to clean your bed from harmful microorganisms

It is not possible to get rid of ticks completely and forever; the main rule is to keep the house clean and carefully care for bedding.

What will help get rid of dust microorganisms in pillows:

• Ideally, replace down and feather products with accessories with synthetic filling: padding polyester, holofiber, comforter, which must be washed once every six months at temperatures above 50 °C.
• If you don’t want to part with natural materials, or for children, you can choose an alternative with the following fillings: buckwheat husk, bamboo or coconut fiber, latex.

The hypoallergenic properties of buckwheat and the antibacterial properties of bamboo make these materials optimal for children's bedding.

Fans of fluff and feathers can bring out “guests” in several ways:

• Airing the pillows in the air for at least 5–6 hours gives a temporary effect. In winter - in frost, in summer - in direct sunlight. This method does not work for long, since tick eggs are insensitive to heat and cold, only adult individuals die.
• Once a year it is worth disinfecting such products with special dry cleaning products.
• You can also clean the pillow yourself. The bedstead needs to be washed, ironed (or replaced). Down filling - treat with a soap solution (100 g of laundry soap + 100 g of ammonia per 10 liters of water), rinse thoroughly and dry, then put the product back together.

Attention! Regardless of the material of manufacture, it is recommended to change all sleeping accessories every 5–6 years.

It is worth noting that it is impossible to get rid of dust mites by cleaning only the bed linen. Additionally, you need to weaken the provoking factor:

• sort out deposits of soft toys;
• reduce the number of carpets and curtains;
• Follow the rules for storing winter clothes.

How to get rid of dust mites

To make sure that the room is contaminated, the dust should be submitted for examination. However, the main methods of dealing with ticks are aimed at maintaining cleanliness in the house. Therefore, they can be used regardless of the results of the check or without it at all.

Wet cleaning. Parasites feed not only on fur and skin, but also on various debris. Therefore, you need to try to keep it as small as possible. Remove the food source; this will not completely eliminate the parasites, but will significantly reduce their population. It is necessary to regularly carry out wet cleaning even in hard-to-reach places. It is extremely undesirable to wipe off dust with a dry cloth or broom, because allergy-causing substances will spread throughout the home.

Use a vacuum cleaner. It is an excellent way to remove dust and insect waste products. Here it is better to use vacuum cleaners equipped with filters. They will trap allergens, preventing them from spreading throughout the apartment. Soft parts of furniture also need to be vacuumed. To do this, you should use special attachments.

Wash. All bedding is a potential hazard area. They must be washed as often as possible using hot water. Its temperature must be at least 60 degrees Celsius. This will destroy existing insects. In addition to bed linen, soft toys, curtains and drapes should be washed frequently.

Freezing. Not all items can be soaked, so you can use freezing. In winter, this will not be a problem, but in summer, each item should be packaged separately and then placed in the freezer. To get a good effect, items must be in the cold for at least a day.

Humidity. Dust mites love high humidity. To make their life less comfortable, try to lower it. To do this, just use a dehumidifier. In summer you can open the windows. After taking a shower, it is recommended to turn on the ventilation; do not forget about the hood when preparing food. Buy a hygrometer that will allow you to always monitor the humidity level. It should not exceed 50 percent.

Temperature. A temperature of 25-30 degrees is considered comfortable for dust mites. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain a room temperature of 21-23 degrees. Do not forget about high-quality ventilation.

Disinfectants can be used not only when an apartment is infected, but also for preventive purposes. After cleaning, it is enough to use a special spray in places where dust often accumulates: baseboards, corners, shelves, curtains, around furniture. Lysol or other similar drugs are suitable for these purposes.

Aromatic products . Many essential oils have a strong odor and help fight pests. For example, eucalyptus oil can be added to the water in which clothes are washed, mixed with water and sprayed onto furniture.

Get rid of clutter. Go through old things: books, accessories, jewelry, picture frames, decorative pillows. Of course, it is impossible for there to be no dust at all in the house, but you can reduce the amount of dust. You just need to throw away old things.

Animal cleaning. Pet fur is another source of dust insects. Try to keep it in the house as little as possible. Brush your pet's fur regularly. This should be done outside, using a brush.

Which pillows don't harbor ticks?

Today there are many bedding fillings that are not suitable for parasites. The so-called bio-pillows deserve special attention. Buckwheat husk is used as a filler here. They are sealed, so dust and dead skin do not get into them. Thus, there is no food for ticks, and they cannot get inside.

( Video : “With mites in bed: why should you get rid of your feather pillow?”)

Bamboo products are also popular. Deodorizing, antistatic and bactericidal are the natural properties of bamboo. It contains a natural antiseptic.

If it is not possible to purchase such products, it is recommended to use covers for bedding. It is desirable that they be made of hypoallergenic materials. Plastic products are also suitable. Parasites do not live on such covers. And their perfect tightness protects bedding from penetration.

Replacement of down and feather

The times when down pillows were considered the best are in the past. Today there are many fillers in which parasites do not like to settle.

Herbal options include:

• buckwheat husk – elastic, hypoallergenic, with a pleasant aroma;
• bamboo fiber – antibacterial, elastic, breathable;
• latex is elastic, easy to clean, eliminates the appearance of mites and other microorganisms.

Synthetic polyester fillers allow for more frequent hygienic treatment:

• holofiber – non-woven material;
• comfort - elastic polyester balls;
• Sintepon is an inexpensive material, but quickly loses its shape.

When choosing a filler, consider the age and individual needs of the person. For children, it is better to choose natural fibers that do not cause allergies. Ticks that live in pillows do not grow in buckwheat and bamboo.

Can lice live in a pillow?

A louse is a parasitic creature, which means it cannot exist outside the host for a long time (several days), since it feeds on blood. An adult lives for 38 days, managing to lay several hundred eggs. The bites of these insects are painful and itchy, as saliva is simultaneously injected, which prevents blood clotting, which is accompanied by unbearable itching.

A human lice inside a pillow will not survive without food, but it can be found on bedding. But we are not talking about a colony of lice, their vital activity and the laying of nits, but about a short-term stay. If the individual does not return to its owner within 24 hours, it will die.

Linen lice can live in the folds of clothes that are worn for several days in a row, form colonies in secluded seams, lay nits, but also need forays for food.

Important! Lice reproduce only at a temperature range of 22–40 C, and die at 44 ° C. It is recommended to wash bed and underwear at a temperature of 50 °C and iron them.

Do bedbugs live in pillows?

Bedbugs are blood-sucking insects that prefer a warm, draft-free atmosphere. Their bites are painful and can leave marks (droplets of blood) on pillowcases, which help to understand what kind of living creature shares the bed with the owner.

Pillows are not the most favorite habitat of bedbugs; they prefer cozy seams and folds of furniture upholstery or stationary mattresses. These are the places that should be checked first if there is a suspicion of a blood-sucking neighborhood.

Bedbugs avoid pillows for several reasons:

• the large size (4–8.6 mm) does not allow insects to freely penetrate through the thick fabric of the bedspread;
• bedding is often turned over, shaken, etc.;
• Any filler is distributed unevenly inside, making it difficult for bedbugs to move.

USEFUL INFORMATION: How to wash a blanket: camel wool, down, cotton, padding polyester and others

You can get rid of parasites in pillows as follows:

• natural products should be taken to dry cleaning or disposed of;
• synthetic - wash at a temperature of 50 ° C, then dry in the open air.

Bed bugs get into pillows when their population becomes too large and their “favorite” places - sofas and mattresses - are occupied. In this case, you cannot do without general sanitation of the room.

It will not be possible to completely get rid of pests in an apartment, but it is possible and necessary to reduce their numbers by following simple rules, which will help you spend the night hours with pleasure and health benefits.

Preventive actions

To protect your loved ones from allergic reactions and reduce the negative impact of dust mites to a minimum, following simple rules:

1. Change pillows and mattresses every 5-6 years. Without proper care, they accumulate a huge amount of mites and mold.
2. All bedding, as well as bedspreads, pajamas, and dressing gowns should be washed and shaken out as often as possible. It is recommended to dry these items in the sun.
3. Use acaricidal sprays to treat the surface of upholstered furniture, toys, and carpets.
4. Regularly carry out wet cleaning of the premises, do not allow dust to accumulate under the bed and in the corners of the room.
5. If one of the family members is prone to allergies, it is necessary to remove items from the house that accumulate dust - carpets, drapes.
6. Ventilate rooms frequently and maintain humidity at 40%.
7. Refuse to store old pillows and mattresses in your apartment and immediately get rid of unnecessary things.

It is impossible to completely destroy dust mites; their population is regularly replenished. But everyone can reduce their numbers and make their home safe.

Caring for feather pillows

You don't have to give up your favorite feather pillows because of mites. They need to be looked after properly. In addition to seasonal drying and freezing, feather washing is recommended. Once every 2 years, pillows are taken to dry cleaning, where appropriate treatment is carried out. You can wash your feathers at home. To do this, you will need a canvas bag the size of a pillow, soap, and ammonia.

The work is performed in the following sequence:

• The feather is poured into a prepared bag, which is tied tightly.
• A special soap solution is prepared in a basin or other container with a volume of 10 liters. You will need 100 g of laundry soap and 100 g of ammonia. After mixing all the ingredients, a bag of feathers is lowered into the container.
• Soaking takes place for 4 hours, periodically the bag is turned over, and the contents are kneaded with your hands.
• Next is rinsing, you will need to change the water several times until all the soap and dirt disappears.
• Fabric with wet feathers is hung in a draft. Washing is done on a sunny day so that everything dries quickly. You will need to wait until it dries completely. In order for the pen to dry evenly, you need to periodically shake it and knead it.

At the same time, the diaper is washed with the addition of an acaricidal drug. Dry fabric is ironed.

Conclusion

A feather pillow is an environmentally friendly product, so to speak. It has a number of worthy qualities, thanks to which the product served our ancestors for many years. Now scientists are attributing more and more shortcomings to it, proposing to replace natural feathers with a synthetic analogue. However, the point is omitted that synthetic fillers also have a number of positive and negative characteristics.

By choosing a high-quality feather pillow, the buyer receives a natural product that, with proper care, will last a long time.

Sources

• https://FB.ru/article/411724/perevoy-klesch-lechenie-i-simptomyi-u-cheloveka
• https://StopKlopam.com/kleshhi-v-podushkah/
• https://misterklop.ru/klesshi/kleshhi-v-podushkah-perevye-kleshhi-prichina-bessonnitsy-kto-takie-otkuda-berutsya-opasny-li-dlya-cheloveka-i-kak-ot-nih-izbavitsya- foto-pod-mikroskopom
• https://like2sleep.com/postelnye-prinadlezhnosti/podushki/kleshhi-v-podushkakh-kak-izbavitsya-ot-nep.html
• https://dezvredexpert.com/kleshhi/vidy-kleshhej/kleshhi-v-podushkax/
• https://sichovka.ru/parazity/kleshchi-v-podushkah.html
• https://DobryjSon.ru/spalnoe-mesto/uhod/kleshhi-v-podushkax.html
• https://beetlestop.ru/kleshi-v-podushkah/
• https://polzaivredno.ru/perevye-podushki-chem-vredny-i-chem-polezny/

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