Know the Difference Between Bed Mites And Bed Bugs

If you ask most people if they know what bed mites are, then you are almost certain to get a resounding “no”.  And those that answer “yes” usually confuse them with bed bugs.  But if you want to live an allergy free life you had better take note of what bed mites are and how they can affect your life. This is especially important to people with repertory conditions like asthma.

So what is the difference between bed bugs and bed mites?  The big difference is that bed bugs feed on human blood while bed mites feed on dead skin and hair.  Bed bugs live in your bedding or close by in your room.  In the evening they come out of hiding to feed on your blood. Now although you won’t feel them biting you many people can be very allergic to bed bugs.  Often these people will develop rashes which can get infected if left unattended.  A bed bug bite will look very similar to a flea bite and it is important not to confuse the two.  The allergic reaction comes from the bed bugs saliva which carries toxins. Although many people are immune to effects of bed bug bites, there are some for whom they can be a real problem.  For those affected the bites result in nasty rashes and even hives.

Bed mites are the same as dust mites. These mites as we said live of dead tissue.  But although they don’t bite many people still suffer from bed mite or dust mite allergies.  It is important to remember that these are living organisms and as such they excrete waste.  Many scientists believe that it’s the droppings of the bed mites that cause an allergic reaction.  If you think about it for a second you will soon come to realise that you are actually sleeping in another creatures droppings, however small they be.  This alone should be enough to get your attention. Keeping your bedding and mattress clean is the only effective way to keep bed mites to a minimum.  Fortunately there are some vacuum cleaners with enough suction power to get rid of the dead skin and bed mites in your mattress. Another option is to use a steamer to clean your bedding. The extreme heat should kill the mites, but you will still have to clean up their bodies.

There are many over the counter products available to help you get rid of bed bugs and bed mites.  Many will be in the form of a spray or powder.  Just keep in mind that some of these products are hazardous to your health.  Always follow the instructions of the product and keep your health in mind.  If you don’t have any success with the DIY approach then call in a professional to get rid of your  bed mites or bed bugs infestation.  Even though it might cost more at least then you will have peace of mind knowing that your home is free of these critters.