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The Difference between Bedbugs and Dust Mites

These nasty, little pests that live in our homes, vehicles and boats. Bedbugs can be seen with the naked eye. Dust mites are hard to detect because of their size. They are too small to be seen by the human eye. Though they both live in and around bedding, carpets, furniture and clothing, bedbugs literally bite humans and feed off of their blood, while dust mites do not bite but produce a major source of allergic reactions.

Bedbugs

All it takes is one night’s stay in an infested room, whether hotel, guest house, a friend’s home, or in a  vehicle. These little blood suckers will hitch a ride back to your home on your clothes, bags and luggage. Once infested, bedbugs are very difficult to get rid of as the species has developed quite a high degree of pesticide resistance over the last few decades. In addition, an understanding of their biology is important to achieving control. My advice is to call in a professional pest management operator to deal with the problem. Attempting to solve it on your own may prove impossible, while leaving you with a pesticide saturated area in your home.

Some Symptoms of Bedbug Bites

• Burning, painful sensation
• Raised itchy bump with a clear centre, or
• Red and swollen with a dark spot at the centre of each bite
• Bumps or welts in a line or zigzag pattern

 

Dust Mites

According to the American Lung Association, dust mites are microscopic, insect-like pests that generate some of the most common indoor substances – or allergens, that can trigger allergic reaction and asthma in many people.

Dust mites feed on the dead cells (skin, hair, etc.) that people and pets are constantly shedding. They live in the same places that bedbugs live: bedding, carpets, furniture and clothing. Their droppings are a common trigger of allergies and asthma, with reactions that can vary from mild to very severe.

Some Symptoms of a Dust Mite Allergy

• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy eyes
• Itchy throat
• Itchy skin
• Postnasal drip

Dust mites can be hard to detect because of their size. They live deep in the surface layers of our mattresses and fabric upholstered furniture. These microscopic arachnids are a major and severe source of discomfort for allergy sufferers. You may experience chronic symptoms – especially in the morning on awakening, or while sitting or lying on upholstered furniture for any period of time.

 

How can you get rid of Bedbugs and Dust Mites

Fortunately, there are safe, non-toxic solutions for the elimination of bedbugs and dust mites. Professional deep sanitization of mattresses and upholstery using high efficiency vacuums, UVC (ultraviolet) technology, and a variety of non-chemical systems, can eliminate these annoying and harmful pests.

Within the ultraviolet spectrum there are three bandwidths. UVA (Ultraviolet A) and UVB (Ultraviolet B) are commonly seen on the labels of sun block creams, but it is the UVC (Ultraviolet C) wavelengths that destroy micro-organisms at the cellular level. Professional sanitizing combines high intensity UVC light with powerful, deep suction vacuums that kill and extract the insects, droppings, larvae and eggs.

Bed bugs, once eradicated, will not recur unless freshly reintroduced (imported) at some later date. However, dust mites are a chronic problem and for allergy sufferers, a routine remediation service is highly recommended. The frequency of the service will depend on a variety of factors such as number of persons and pets in the home, type of furniture, the sensitivity level of individuals, etc.

 

Who to Call to Inspect and Treat Bedbugs and Dust Mites

Did you know that members of the Pest Management Association of Trinidad and Tobago offer both bedbug and dust mite remediation, sanitizing and management services?

Contact PMATT – the Pest Management Association of Trinidad and Tobago, to receive a list of members whom you can contact to get professional pest management and sanitizing services.

Serving People…Preserving the Environment.