ARE THERE DUST MITES IN YOUR OFFICE?

Dust Mites

ARE THERE DUST MITES IN YOUR OFFICE?

Dust Mites

You can not see dust mites. They are microscopic, insect-like pests that are responsible for some of the most common indoor allergens. Dust mites are not parasites; they do not sting, bite, or feed on our bodies. Instead, dust mites lurk unnoticed in bedding, upholstery, carpets, and ductwork silently triggering allergic reactions and reducing the quality of the air we breathe.

Up to 2000 dust mites can live in one ounce of carpet and the average office can harbor hundreds of thousands or even millions of these microscopic pests. Because dust mites are invisible to the naked eye and generally non-intrusive, it is very difficult to determine if you have a dust mite problem. The only real sign of dust mites is the allergic reactions that they cause.

This is why it is important to try and prevent dust mites and to assume that they are there. 

HOW TO PREVENT DUST MITES

Preventing dust mites is no easy task but there are steps that you can take to make your home or office less appealing to them. Dust mites thrive in carpets, upholstery, bedding, and other fabrics so reducing the number of soft fabrics in your home or office is a good place to start. Removing or limiting the amount of carpet and rugs in your office, selecting leather or fake leather furniture as opposed to cloth, and replacing curtains with hard-surface blinds will make your office less appealing to dust mites.

In addition, ensuring that your air ducts are cleaned regularly and using high-quality air filters in your ventilation system can go a long way toward eliminating dust mites. Be sure to change your air filters regularly. Dust mites thrive in humid environments so keeping the humidity levels in your office below fifty percent will help as well.

HOW TO ELIMINATE DUST MITES

If your office does have carpeting and/or fabric upholstery, there are still steps that you can take to eliminate dust mites. The most effective weapon against dust mites is regular cleaning and dusting. Carpets are one of the most likely places where dust mites will thrive. Daily vacuuming of carpets will help reduce the number of dust mites. Be sure to pay particular attention to the edges and corners of your carpet as these are the areas most likely to accumulate dust. It is also a great idea to have your carpets professionally cleaned once or twice per year.

Upholstered furniture is also a place where dust mites will hide. Vacuuming your upholstered furniture every day will help to control the dust mite population. As with carpets, having your upholstered furniture professionally cleaned once or twice per year can have a huge impact.

Curtains and draperies harbor dust mites as well. The best course of action is to replace these fabrics with hard-surface blinds. However, if that is not an option, be sure to launder your curtains on a regular basis.

Cubicle walls in some offices are covered with a carpet-like fabric. If that is the case in your office building be sure that these are vacuumed every day.

Finally, you can utilize a dust mite spray on carpets, upholsteries, and other fabrics throughout your office space. To reduce or eliminate the potential for dust mite infestation.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR OFFICE CLEANING?

If you need help in the prevention or removal of dust mites in your office, Complete Care Maintenance can help. Call or contact us today to learn how we can manage your dust mite problems and help your staff to breathe easier.