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“wanderlust” as mass quantities of mites I no longer suggest that homeowners
start crawling to a minuscule beat only remove all grass, weeds, and other
they can hear. Mites with nowhere to go vegetation against the house foundation.
and all day to get there wander aimlessly There was a theory in the past that an
among the tangled grass blades of 18 to 24-inch wide bare strip would
your lawn. By accident, they bump into discourage clover mite migration. Clover
the foundation of the house and begin mites can crawl over bare soil, wood chip,
climbing upward. The warm siding on the and rock mulches and through flowerbeds.
south side of the house seems to arrest
their movement as they pause in the A Word About House Dust Mites
sunshine momentarily. A few press on House dust mites are a real thing, and
and wander into the house where they almost everyone has them in their
are easy to see in contrast to light-colored homes. What you need to know about
countertops, windowsills, walls, curtains, house dust mites is contained in their
cupboards, or floor. genus name, Dermatophagoides. If you
have been to a dermatologist, you know
Clover mite migrations usually the first part of the name means “skin”
happen in the early spring when warm and -phagous is means “to eat” or “feed
temperatures first occur (50 to 75 degrees on.” House dust mites do not live on or
F). Late autumn migrations are also bite people, but they do feed on skin, as
possible. the name implies. Particularly, the mites
Controls feed on shed skin cells that accumulate
The most practical approach to a surprise in the cracks and crevices of bedding,
visit by clover mites is to grin-and-bear-it. mattresses, stuffed furniture, and carpet.
The problem is temporary, though off- The mites themselves are not a problem,
and-on migrations may last for several but airborne particles they produce are
days. Use a vacuum cleaner with proper allergens that cause asthma or hay fever-
attachments to effectively collect live like allergy symptoms in about 4% of the
mites without crushing them. Avoid population.
wiping. Household insecticide sprays can House dust mites are too small to
be used to control wandering mites, but see, and their requirement for a warm,
the benefit is very short-lived. high humidity environment confines them
The traditional control for clover to the deep cracks and crevices of our
mites is to prevent entry by applying an furniture. DO NOT SPRAY pesticides for
insecticide spray as a chemical barrier house dust mite control. You’ll not kill the
around the house. Spray the foundation mites, you will not eliminate the airborne
and the lawn for a distance of 6 to 10 feet allergens, and you will add moisture that
from the foundation using an insecticide will help the mites. Clients with dust
labeled for this purpose. Follow label mite allergy symptoms should see their
directions and repeat if mites persist. allergist, who will recommend changes in
Successful prevention requires a thorough furniture or floor coverings, air filtering,
treatment with 2 to 4 gallons of spray for and possibly allergy treatment (medicine).
every 1,000 square feet.
IPMA Connection • 1st Quarter, 2021 Page 17
