How to Get Rid of Carpet Mites In 2021

Many think that carpet mites and carpet beetles are the same. Unfortunately, they’re wrong. Carpet mites are dust mites that tend to live in carpets and many other things — if it can collect dust, then it can harbor carpet mites. While contacting pest control professionals is a solution, it is possible to get rid of them via the DIY way.

To get rid of carpet mites, the carpet should be vacuumed. Sprinkling diatomaceous earth beforehand is a great idea. Steam cleaning or washing in hot water kills them. They can be removed from the home, too, by using an air purifier or dehumidifier. Direct sun and air circulation also work wonders.

Compared to most other common household pests, carpet mites are harder to exterminate. Other than they can be everywhere, they are also very small.

Fortunately, there are many home remedies that you may try before deciding to get in touch with the pros.

Getting to Know Carpet Mites More

Just like what was mentioned earlier, carpet mites are entirely different household pests from carpet beetles.

Because carpet beetles, particularly larvae ones that are responsible for an infestation, measure four to eight millimeters in length, they can be easily seen, especially if the person has a perfect 20/20 vision.

On the other hand, carpet mites, just like other mites from the same family of pests, are only 0.3 to 0.4 millimeters in size. It’s because of this exactly why spotting them with the naked eye can be extremely difficult.

Based on the size alone, it’s plain to see that carpet mites and carpet beetles are two entirely different species.

However, they share one thing in common: they can be harmful to certain people.

In the case of carpet mites, they can cause allergy- and asthma-like symptoms in those who are allergic to them and their poop.

Children and older adults are at higher risk. That’s because the immune systems of kids are not yet completely developed. The immune systems of senior citizens, on the other hand, are no longer as strong as before.

Definitely, someone with allergies or asthma (or any other respiratory problem) can have a nightmarish indoor living everyday if he or she is sharing the home with carpet mites.

It’s because of this exactly why these microscopic pests need to go. It can be done through the DIY way or with the help of industry experts.

If you are on a tight budget and you would like to try some of the best tips on how to get rid of carpet mites, don’t stop reading now. Below you will find some of those that you may carry out.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Carpet Bugs

Ridding the Carpet of Carpet Mites

Because carpet mites are virtually invisible and can be practically anywhere, it can be extremely challenging to get rid of them with your own two hands.

However, with perseverance and thoroughness, you can eliminate these microscopic critters from your life and the lives of the ones you love.

So, without any more ado, here’s how to get rid of carpet mites through some effective home remedies…

Rev Up a Vacuum

There is no way that you will be able to pick up awfully small carpet mites with your bare hands. You will have to arm yourself with a vacuum cleaner to remove them from carpets and other stuff.

Especially if your home is prone to carpet mites, it’s a good idea to opt for a HEPA vacuum.

Just like what the name says, it’s a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air filter.

A HEPA filter can remove up to 99.97% of particles in the air. Carpet mites are just some of those that it can filter out effectively.

But first, before you vacuum carpets, there is one very important step that you need to take first. It’s none other than eliminating clutter. It’s for a couple of reasons.

First, removing clutter makes it easier to vacuum clean infested carpets and other surfaces.

Second, taking away clutter helps minimize the opportunity for carpet mites to thrive.

And also, a couple of hours before vacuuming, you may sprinkle diatomaceous earth on carpets to increase your success rate. We will talk about it more in a few, so don’t stop reading now.

Here are some vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters that you may get your hands on:

Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum

Type: Upright/Canister
Weight: 12.5 pounds

Other than having a HEPA filter, the Shark Navigator upright vacuum also has an anti-allergy seal technology. This helps ensure that it’s less likely for family members and guests with allergies to end up having flare-ups.

There are a couple of things that make this vacuum stand out.

First, it has swivel steering that makes it easy to maneuver around furniture pieces and tight corners.

Second, while it is an upright type of vacuum, the canister part is removable. Because of this, it converts into a canister-type vacuum that you can use practically anywhere.

Hoover UH71250 WindTunnel 2

Type: Upright
Weight: 16.10 pounds

Are some areas in your home carpeted while others have hard floors? Then you might want to consider this vacuum.

That’s because Hoover WindTunnel 2’s rolling brush can be switched on or off, depending on the flooring. More importantly, it comes with a HEPA filter that’s great for removing carpet mites and other tiny particles.

A nifty feature of the vacuum is the cord rewind. Just like what the feature’s name suggests, it automatically retracts the power cord, which is a whopping 25 feet in length.

Use Scorching Hot Steam

The use of a vacuum, even one with a HEPA filter, won’t kill carpet mites. It will only remove them from carpets and other surfaces.

If the goal is to kill those microscopic creatures, using a steam cleaner is the way to go.

Carpet mites breathe their last as soon as they are exposed to temperatures of 130°F or higher.

Most of today’s steam cleaners can heat water anywhere from 150°F to 300°F. Handheld ones that are smaller and lighter than their canister or mop counterparts are included.

This means that just about any model that you go for can be used for eliminating carpet mites. However, investing in a high-quality one is recommended.

Aside from using a steam cleaner, you may also wash infested items in hot water. Unfortunately, when it comes to dealing with carpet mites in carpets, this is not the most efficient approach.

These are some steam cleaners that are worthy of your hard-earned cash:

McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner

Type: Canister
Water tank size: 48 ounces

This McCulloch canister steam cleaner comes with a massive water tank that can heat up water in less than eight minutes. It can be used for steaming for 45 minutes straight.

Many things about this steam cleaner suggest that it can make exterminating carpet mites easier.

For one, it ships with as many as 18 accessories.

The steam hose is more than nine feet long, which allows you to steam hard-to-reach places. What’s more, the power cord measures nearly 16 feet in length.

PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner

Type: Handheld
Water tank size: 8 ounces

Despite the name, carpet mites can infest many things other than just carpets. This is when the perk of having a handheld steam cleaner comes in.

These days, one of the most sought-after of the kind is the PurSteam pressurized steam cleaner. It weighs just a little over two pounds. It can heat up the water in just four minutes, too.

The product comes with a total of nine accessories. The different attachments can be fastened to the extension hose, which makes it trouble-free to steam various nooks and crannies.

This is a perfect tool to remove carpet beetles in your car.

Sprinkle Some Diatomaceous Earth

Earlier, the use of a vacuum cleaner was discussed. Briefly mentioned was the sprinkling of diatomaceous earth on carpets before vacuuming them, preferably with the help of a unit with a HEPA filter.

The use of diatomaceous earth can help rid carpets of carpet mites better. That’s because this odorless off-white powder can kill carpet mites by damaging their exoskeletons.

As a result of this, those microscopic creepy crawlers die of dehydration. It is a good idea to sprinkle the product a few hours before you switch on a vacuum.

By the way, diatomaceous earth is safe because it’s 100% natural. It’s made from the fossilized shells of single-celled aquatic creatures called “diatoms”. Diatomaceous earth is harvested from bodies of water.

Check out the following diatomaceous earth brands that you can get online…

Harris Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Weight: 12 pounds

Using this product allows you to have peace of mind while dealing with carpet mites.

That’s because the product is listed with the Organic Minerals Research Institute (OMRI), an organization that reviews all sorts of organic products.

Harris diatomaceous earth is also food-grade, which means that it can be used for various health purposes.

To make it easier for the product to be applied in nooks and crannies where carpet mites could be hiding, too, the maker has included a powder duster with a fine tip.

DiatomaceousEarth Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Weight: 5 pounds

Just like the product reviewed above, this one from DiatomaceousEarth is also listed with OMRI. Needless to say, it’s food-grade and can be taken by mouth.

The maker is proud to say that its offering is completely free of contaminants. It’s because it is manufactured using stainless steel machinery.

A scoop is included in the bag for easy measuring. By the way, this diatomaceous earth is the freshwater kind, which is proven to be more effective for common household pests than its saltwater counterpart.

Clean the Air With an Air Purifier

Each time you walk on your carpet, some of the carpet mites in it get circulated in the air. It doesn’t come as a surprise since they are just as small and lightweight as dust.

Because of this, it is a good idea to install an air purifier in your home. This is especially true where the floor is carpeted and may be harboring carpet mites.

It’s important to note that not all air purifiers on the market are good for dealing with a carpet mite infestation. The kind that’s perfect for the job is something that has a HEPA filter.

Yes, it’s not just vacuum cleaners that come with this filter capable of removing up to 99.97% of tiny particles in the air, but also air purifiers.

Because an air purifier with a HEPA filter can only remove carpet mites dislodged from carpets, it should be paired with other home remedies for carpet mites.

Here are a couple of air purifiers that can help you enjoy a carpet mite-free indoor living…

LEVOIT H13 True HEPA Filter Air Purifier

Size: 8.5 inches (length) x 8.5 inches (width) x 14.5 inches (height)

One of the nicest things about the LEVOIT H13 air purifier is that it not only relies on a HEPA filter to purify the air. It also comes with a UVC light.

According to studies, UVC is capable of killing carpet mites and other types of dust mites. In addition, this type of UV light can kill the eggs of those microscopic bugs.

The maker says that its air purifier is very good at doing its job because it can circulate the air of a room four times in an hour.

Despite that, it operates at a very low noise level (25 dB), which makes it ideal for nighttime use.

Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier

Size: 10.25 inches (length) x 6.75 inches (width) x 21.5 inches (height)

The Germ Guardian air purifier is similar to the air purifier that we just talked about. That’s because it also has a HEPA filter and UVC light, which makes it just as effective for dealing with carpet mites and other small particles.

However, this product has another trick up its sleeve.

Other than a HEPA filter, this air purifier also has a charcoal filter. Using activated charcoal, this type of filter can remove unpleasant odors in your home.

So, in other words, it helps make indoor air fresh. But in terms of dealing with carpet mites, a charcoal filter has no contribution.

Switch on a Dehumidifier

Earlier, we talked about the fact that carpet mites are not very good at tolerating high temperatures.

This is why steam cleaning carpets is one of the most effective tips on how to get rid of carpet mites. Well, there is another thing that carpet mites cannot stand. It’s none other than low humidity.

According to pest control experts, carpet mites die when the humidity falls below 40% to 50%. It’s because of this why using a dehumidifier if you live where it’s humid can be beneficial.

These days, dehumidifiers come in all shapes and sizes. There are a lot of features to consider. They range anywhere from the water tank size, control type, to the kind of air filter used.

As a result of this, it may be difficult to guess which one can help you in your quest to remove carpet mites in carpets and elsewhere.

Here are a couple of dehumidifiers that you might want to consider buying…

Alrocket Dehumidifier

Size: 5.7 inches (length) x 5.7 inches (width) x 8.9 inches (height)
Weight: 2.87 pounds

Your pocket will thank you for trying to deal with carpet mites using this dehumidifier.

That’s because it is energy efficient. This compact and lightweight unit uses less than one kWh (kilowatt-hour) to run for an entire day. What’s more, it shuts off automatically when the water tank is almost full.

Despite being small, it has a generous water tank — it can accommodate up to 35 ounces of water. This means that draining it has to be done every other day or so only.

Pro Breeze Dehumidifier

Size: 6.6 inches (length) x 9 inches (width) x 12.69 inches (height)
Weight: 5.08 pounds

One look and it’s plain to see that the Pro Breeze dehumidifier is not the smallest dehumidifier in the market.

However, it also has a massive water tank that can hold up to 52 ounces of water at a time. It can eliminate up to 18 ounces of water a day, which means that there is no need to drain the water tank daily.

With an auto shut-off feature and quiet operation, it won’t wreak havoc on your pocket and ears respectively. The Pro Breeze dehumidifier is ideal for rooms up to 2,200 cubic feet in size.

Let the Sun Lend a Hand

You can take advantage of the sun in eliminating carpet mites from your carpets.

This is especially true if your floor is covered with carpet tiles that you can remove and put back in place afterward.

Washing carpet tiles in hot water with detergent and then hanging them under direct sunlight to dry can kill carpet mites and their eggs, too.

Worry not if you don’t have the time to wash carpet tiles. That’s because leaving them under the blistering sun is enough for you to enjoy results.

Open the Windows Once in a While

Earlier, we talked about how carpet mites die when the humidity falls. We also discussed a couple of dehumidifiers that are suited for the job.

Just in case you don’t want to invest in a dehumidifier, there is another way to lower humidity levels inside your home. It’s none other than by opening the windows.

From time to time, allow fresh air to circulate through your home. This will cause the humidity to drop naturally.

Allowing your home to vent regularly is also good for removing many allergens and pollutants.

Just Before You Hunt Down Carpet Mites

It’s true that carpet mites are practically invisible and practically everywhere. However, it is possible to beat them, either by getting in touch with pest control professionals in your area or trying some home remedies.

When dealing with carpet mites through the DIY way, there are many steps that you may take.

Carrying out the ones mentioned above can help you enjoy once again an indoor life that’s free of carpet mites. Just make sure that you add a dash of perseverance and thoroughness if you want to see expected results.

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