Do Store-Bought Dust Mite Sprays Actually Work? Here's What We Know

Dust mites are small types of pests that you can't see with the naked eye. While they don't bite you, these pests can still be problematic for people who have dust mite allergies. Rather than being allergic to the mites directly though, dust mite allergies occur when you have an adverse reaction to proteins these pests leave behind in dust from their bodies, as well as their feces and urine. This can become an even larger health issue for people with allergic asthma. To help eliminate dust mites from your home, you might consider commercial sprays that kill these pests in hard to treat areas, but they may not be 100 percent effective on their own.

Dust mites primarily nest in mattresses, pillows, bedding, fabric curtains, upholstered furniture, and carpeting, which is something that a commercial spray may be used on. If you do choose to try a store-bought dust mite spray, you should consider using it alongside other dust mite controlling measures. These include washing bedding regularly, using mattress and pillow encasements, keeping humidity levels in your home below 50 percent, and pulling up old carpeting. Regular dusting, vacuuming, and damp-mopping all go a long way, too. To control dust mites, clean with items that can effectively trap dust without excessive amounts kicking up in the air. A damp rag or microfiber cloth works best.

If you or a loved one has a known dust mite allergy, it is crucial to do everything you can to get rid of dust mites in your home so that they do not worsen symptoms or potentially lead to an asthma attack. Numerous store-bought products exist for this very purpose. One example is the DustmiteX Spray, which is marketed to treat both hard and soft surfaces and promises to last for up to six months per application. It contains 10 percent of the active ingredient disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and 90 percent water. Most customers say this product works to some degree, but that it can take several weeks to see results. They emphasize that it's necessary to continue consistent efforts with other dust mite control measures. They also appreciate the fact that this spray doesn't have a scent and that it contains eco-friendly ingredients. With that said, some users also report the product leaves behind a sticky residue.

Another possible option is the Premo Mite Killer, which treats a variety of different types of mites and offers similar promises about being unscented, eco-friendly, and effective on most surfaces. Active ingredients include sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate, and citric acid. For dust mite control, there appear to be mixed reviews overall. This underscores the fact that you may be able to try store-bought dust mite sprays and achieve some success, but it will likely not be able to replace other physical measures to control these pests. They may be most useful for items that cannot be easily vacuumed or placed in the washing machine, such as furniture, mattresses, and curtains.