The chemical that makes house dust mites gather together in defense has been identified as neryl formate, a common scent used in foods and perfumes. Two common indoor dust mites found throughout the developed world are Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae.
Mites will frequently invade structures when their primary host nests in or on structures. Mites are attracted to carbon dioxide (a product of breathing) and heat, and use these to locate hosts.
Sprays and aerosols containing syngergized pyrethrins should kill mites immediately on contact, though the treatment will only remain effective for up to a few hours. Insecticide sprays containing permethrin or bifenthrin are effective against many mites and should retain their killing properties for several weeks.
Most human infestations result from person-to-person contact. Although they can transfer from animals to humans and vice versa, several types of scabies mites exist, each having a preferred host species on which it reproduces. In dogs, scabies mites cause mange.
Common insect predators of pest mites include bigeyed bugs, brown lacewings, dustywings, green lacewings, minute pirate bugs, mite midges, the spider mite destroyer lady beetle (ladybug), spider mite rove beetle, and sixspotted thrips.
Dust mites are repulsed by the smell of Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavendar, Peppermint, and Rosemary. Make your own aromatic spray by adding a few drops of one (or more) of those essential oils in a water-filled spray bottle.
Deter spider mites with an apple cider vinegar spray
Apple cider vinegar has so many great benefits. One being that it's highly acidic which plant pests such as spider mites loathe, earning it top pest control points.
Vinegar is highly acidic and will kill just about any mite that crosses its path.
Steam cleaning or washing items in hot water is a sure-fire way to kill and eliminate mites of all types. Use a steam cleaner to heat treat your carpeting, furniture and bedding. Wash the bed spreads and your clothing and other such fabrics in hot water and dry clean them at a high temperature.
Citrus. Similar to peppermint, the strong smell of citrus frightens off spiders and larger insects. This is one of the best natural solutions to deter pests because it can also help keep your air bacteria-free and smelling fresh! Mix the juice from half of a lemon or lime in with two cups of water.
Essential Oil Attractants
The listed essential oils attract the following insects: Cinnamon Oil – thrips, leafminers, Japanese beetles. Melissa Oil – fungus gnats, thrips, horse flies, deer flies. Lemon Oil – fungus gnats, mealybugs, scale, thrips, Japanese beetles.
Vanilla extract is a staple ingredient in baking, but some bugs hate its smell. Pure vanilla extract is said to repel mosquitoes. However, if the extract contains sugar, it will have the opposite effect.
Heat will kill off dust mites since they can't survive temperatures of 60ºC, so washing bedding, pillows and duvets once a week on a hot wash in your washing machine will help your situation. If you have a tumble dryer, putting the bedding through a hot cycle will finish off any that have survived the wash.
Baking soda not only serves to eliminate bad odors, stains and disinfect, but also repels annoying mites. This is recommended, also do it once a week to improve our state of health.
Although most people love the smell of lavender, the good news is moths, mites, lice, bedbugs, fleas, flies and mosquitoes hate it.
After all, Lysol spray bottles state that they eliminate viruses, bacteria, mold, and mildew. So, why shouldn't it get rid of dust mites as well? Luckily, Lysol can kill up to 99% of dust mites.
A general rule of thumb is that hot water—130 degrees Fahrenheit or higher—kills dust mites*.
Vinegar - Can repel a variety of pests including bird mites can be safely used on farms. You can mix white vinegar with a few drops of extremely important oil like peppermint and get a powerful spray ready for bird mites.
Another homemade mixture that can work is apple cider vinegar and borax. The acidity in apple cider vinegar works as a natural insecticide against wood mites and other bugs.
Cover mattresses and pillows with allergen encasements. Wash bedding in hot water (at least 120 degrees F) once a week. Reduce clutter, stuffed animals, and other places where dust mites live. If that's not possible, wash stuffed animals weekly in hot water (at least 130 degrees) to kill and wash away dust mites.
They found that the most effective essential oil against both lice and mites was tea tree oil. Lavender was the second most effective, and lemon oil the least, but still effective. STUDY RESULTS: Lemon Oil – 61% of the dust mites were immobile after 30 minutes and 80% were dead after 2 hours.
Essential oils contain compounds that repel or kill insects, including dust mites. The best essential oils for getting rid of dust mites are clove, rosemary, and eucalyptus oil. Add 20 drops of oil to four ounces of witch hazel, and spray your mattress, couch, drapes, and other dust mite hangouts.
In the laboratory experiments more than 80% of mites were killed after immersion in 0.2% and 0.4% solutions of eucalyptus oil for 30 and 60 minutes (Fig.