What To Spray Around Your House To Get Rid Of Dust Mites

Dust mites are very common in the home. These microscopic pests hang out in household dust, so you'll often find them in upholstery, bedding, furniture, and carpeting. Many people suffer from allergic reactions and respiratory problems, both mild and severe, with contact. Because of this, it's worth taking a few steps to get rid of them and minimize their impact.

There are multiple ways to get rid of dust mites in your home, and it's always best to take a multifaceted approach. Regular cleaning can go a long way toward preventing them, but it can also be useful to use a dust mite spray. While a store-bought dust mite spray may work well, you can also make a homemade spray that may kill them on contact and help repel them from the area. You just need a few simple ingredients to make this spray: a few select essential oils along with water and a 3% or 5% vinegar to carry the oils. Essential oils contain compounds that are thought to both repel and kill insects such as dust mites. 

A 1997 study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology determined that eucalyptus oil was highly effective at killing dust mites when emulsified in dishwashing liquid detergent concentrate. A 2006 study in the Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B determined that clove oil was also particularly effective at killing the dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, perhaps thanks to its high eugenol content. A lot of anecdotal evidence also speaks to the effectiveness of essential oils at killing and repelling dust mites. If you want to reduce any allergic and respiratory symptoms you're experiencing, you may want to create a spray and try it out yourself.

To make a powerful dust mite essential oil spray, you'll first want to get a glass spray bottle. It's important to use a glass bottle since essential oils can eat through plastic. Then, add your chosen essential oils. Eucalyptus oil and clove oil are some of the best to consider, but you may also want to add lavender oil. Aim to add about 10 to 15 drops of each. Other popular essential oils to consider include tea tree oil and peppermint oil. Various essential oils may keep pests at bay, but effectiveness can vary based on the specific oil and the type of dust mite. 

Once you've added essential oils to the spray bottle, add about a cup each of distilled white vinegar and water to the mix. It's ideal to boil the water first to remove contaminants. The vinegar will carry the oil and be an emulsifier, encouraging better consistency. Once you've added all the ingredients, shake the bottle to mix the fluids well and ensure the spray is ready. Do this again whenever you put this spray bottle to use. 

To get rid of dust mites, you'll simply need to spray the mix anywhere you suspect they're hiding. This could be on your bed, mattress, couch, curtains, or in other fabrics and carpeting around the home. Do this at least once every 2 to 3 weeks to ensure it keeps doing its job. Remember that you should always use this in conjunction with other tips to get rid of dust mites in your home. Be sure to clean bedding and furniture regularly, vacuum often, and reduce humidity to give your home the best chance of staying free of dust mites and allergens.