House Dust Mite

tiny creatures · allergies · your home

Impossibly tiny. House dust mites are so small you need a microscope to see them. Millions of them could fit on the head of a pin, living happily in the dust around your house.

Dust is home. These mites live in household dust, especially in soft places like bedding, carpets, and couches. They thrive in warm, humid spots where they can find plenty to eat.

Allergy villains. Dust mite waste and shed skin are a major cause of allergies and asthma in many people. When you breathe in these tiny particles, your body reacts with sneezing, itching, or trouble breathing.

Harmless to most. Even though they're everywhere in homes, dust mites don't bite, sting, or spread diseases. For people without allergies, they're just quietly living their tiny lives all around us.

Hard to escape. It's nearly impossible to completely remove dust mites from a home, but regular cleaning, washing bedding in hot water, and using air filters can help reduce their numbers.