How to Get Rid of Mites

For people with allergies, mites are more than just a minor irritant--they are an underlying cause of sickness. Whether you or your pet have ear mites, dust mites, spider mites or scabies mites, exposure to the feces of these tiny creatures can leave victims with allergies sneezing and congested, in addition to suffering through the accompanying itching and skin swelling. Though you may not be able to completely eliminate mites from your home, pets and garden, with vigilance, you can reduce the exposure of mites and mite allergens.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Carpet cleaner/shampoo
• Non-organic material
• Mineral oil
• Sulfur cream
• Mild soap and hot water
• Spray bottle
• Predator mites

Instructions

Dust Mites

1. Vacuum your carpets, furniture and drapes thoroughly.

2. Shampoo your carpets.

3. Wash your sheets, blankets, bedding and clothing in hot, sudsy water.

4. Choose non-organic or non-natural materials for your furniture and drapes. If you prefer natural fabrics, use cotton with a high thread count for your sofa, chairs, sheets and bedding.

5. Cover your mattress and pillows with a latex pad, or use allergen-blocking pillow case and mattress covers.

Ear Mites

1. Purchase mineral oil drops, or ask your veterinarian to prescribe ear mite drops to use in your pet's ears.

2. Apply two drops of mineral oil in your pet's ears twice daily, or follow the directions on prescription medication from your vet. Get the medication deep down inside the ear canal. You may have to hold your pet in one position, with his head cocked to one side, until the drops reach the ear canal. Never push the dropper deep into the ear canal, as it may damage your pet's ear.

3. Rub the two sides of your pet's ear together, using your thumb and forefinger, to ensure the medication or mineral oil is applied evenly throughout the ear canal. If your dog shakes his ears after applications, keep a towel handy to catch any spattering oil before it reaches your furniture or clothing, as it may stain.

Scabies Mites

1. Visit your general practitioner or dermatologist to discuss your scabies condition. He may wish to prescribe a medicated cream, or he may advise you to purchase an over-the-counter solution.

2. Purchase your prescription cream or an over-the-counter topical solution of 1 to 5 percent sulfur cream at your local pharmacy.

3. Apply the cream to affected areas of your skin, following the directions on the package.

4. Keep your skin washed, dried and medicated until the scabies are completely gone. Apply a moisturizing solution if your skin becomes irritated by the scabies or the medicated cream.

Spider Mites

1. Purchase spider mite predators through a mail-order gardening catalog or online. Common spider mite predators include Phytoseiulus longipes, Ambylesius californicus and Phytoseiulus persimilis.

2. Release the predator mites throughout your garden, greenhouse or in other places on your property where spider mites are a problem.

3. Create an effective insecticidal soap by mixing 1 tsp mild soap per 1 quart of hot water. Shake the mixture, and spray it onto mite-affected plants for a non-toxic mite eliminator. (Wash any sprayed produce before eating it.)

Tips & Warnings

• Using pesticides may eliminate your mite problem more quickly than using natural methods, but they come with serious risks. Permethrin is the most commonly used insecticide to get rid of mites, but you should never use this chemical around your fish or cats, as it can be toxic to them. It is also a known carcinogen and has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer in laboratory rats.

References

• How to Get Rid of Mites
• How to Get Rid of Mites
• Health Tip: Getting Rid of Dust Mites