Getting Rid of Mites

Getting Rid of Mites

We do not tolerate external parasites like bedbugs, lice,
ticks, leeches. Bedbugs were once a scourge amongst northern
Europeans. I remember our parents spraying for them (kerosene)
in the bedroom. This only “controlled” them. What eliminated
them was a law against sale of used mattresses. Lice were
originally “controlled” by frequent washing, louse combs, and
ironing the seams of clothing. What eliminated them was the
cutting of long hair as a societal practice. But what about mites?
They live with us and other animals.

Mites are too tiny to see,
tiny enough to ride on a dust
particle as if it were a magic
carpet. They resemble insects.
Chiggers are really
mites. Mange in animals is a
mite infestation. Dust mites
live on our dander (scales of
dead skin).
Get rid of their breeding
places: beds, cloth covered
chairs and soft sofas. Humans
leave enough dander behind
in these places to support
these ultra small insects. Cover mattresses with plastic covers.
Use throws on easy chairs and sofas and wash them often. Never
allow a pet into the bedroom or the dust will have tapeworm
eggs as well as mites. Throw out rugs that have been pet-beds.
Spray the air with a mist of 50% grain alcohol before vacuuming.
If you have an illness wear a mask to vacuum. Deep, soft, wall to
wall carpets compromise an ancient concept: everything should
be washable and cleanable, without throwing the dirt into the air
for humans to inhale. Vacuuming a carpet blasts mites and tape
eggs into the air. Never shake bedding or rugs where the dust
will blow back into the house behind you.
Mites don't bite us but we inhale them as they float in the ever
present dust in our homes. The mucus in our lungs traps them and
in a few days they die, only to release a drove of Adenoviruses
(common cold virus) in us.