Dust Mites vs Bed Bugs: Comparison, Effects, Elimination

When it comes to maintaining a comfortable home environment, two frequent unwelcome guests can stir up trouble: dust mites (Dermatophagoides spp) and bed bugs (Cimex lectularius). Despite their small size, these little pests can disrupt your daily life and throw your home into chaos. And with approximately 85% of asthmatic patients suffering from a dust mite allergy in Singapore, addressing these pests has become a pressing concern.

To find the best and most effective ways to evict them, you need to learn their distinctions as well as the harm they can pose. Staying informed and taking proactive measures are the best ways to ensure a serene and hygienic living space for yourself.

Dust mites vs bed bugs — what are the differences?

Many people frequently mix up dust bites and bed bugs. But while they may both be tiny pests that lurk under the sheets, they actually belong to different classes of pests and exhibit different behaviours. 

Dust mites are arachnids that thrive in warm, humid environments and feed on dead skin cells shed by humans and pets. You can typically find them in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets. It’s important to note that dust mites do not bite, while bed bugs do. 
Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed exclusively on the blood of humans and pets. They hide in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas and emerge at night to feed, leaving behind itchy welts on their victims. These itchy welts are often one of the early signs of a bed bug infestation in your home.

How bed bugs and dust mites can affect you

Did you know that dust mites are actually the most common cause of dust allergy? Exposure to dust mites can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and respiratory problems in sensitive individuals. Individuals with asthma may even face an increased risk of asthma attacks.

Learn more: 5 Incredibly Useful Asthma Tips for Your Family

On the other hand, bed bugs pose more direct physical harm through their bites. Beyond the physical discomfort, bed bug infestations can even cause significant emotional distress, leading to insomnia and anxiety. Many bed bug victims are often too afraid to sleep out of fear of being bitten. Furthermore, the stigma associated with bed bug infestations negatively impacts their mental well-being. 

How to Spot Dust Mites and Bed Bugs?

1. Check for dust mites: Signs of dust mites include:

• Visible accumulation of dust on your mattress, particularly in seams, crevices, and along the edges.
• Allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes upon waking, which may indicate an allergic reaction to dust mite allergens.

Upon identifying these signs, you can also use a magnifying glass or microscope to inspect bedding and mattress fibres for tiny moving specks, which could be dust mites.

2. Search for bed bugs: If you suspect the presence of bed bugs, look out for the following signs:

• Dark or rust-coloured stains on your mattress or bedding, which could be bed bug excrement or blood stains from crushed bugs.
• Live bed bugs or their shed exoskeletons, which may be found in mattress seams, bed frames, or nearby furniture.
• Red, itchy bites on your skin, often appearing in clusters or lines, which could be a sign of bed bug feeding.

Eliminating and preventing infestations

If you want to eliminate dust mites and bed bugs, you will need a combination of preventative measures and targeted treatments.

To get rid of dust mites, you should wash your bedding and upholstered furniture regularly in hot water to kill dust mites and remove allergens. However, to prevent infestations from happening at all, encase your mattresses, pillows, and box springs in dust-mite-proof covers. You should also vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery frequently with a HEPA filter to trap dust mites and their allergens. 

Learn more: Mattress Cleaning Secrets That No One Else Knows About

To deal with bed bug infestations, you’ll first need to conduct a thorough inspection of your living space to identify hiding spots and breeding areas. Then, remove your bedroom clutter and seal cracks and crevices where bed bugs may hide during the day. Since beds and clothes are a hotspot for infestations, they should be washed in hot water and dried on high heat to get rid of bed bugs and their eggs. For severe infestations, however, it may be best to hire a professional pest control service to administer chemical and heat treatments.

Conclusion

Ultimately, regular bed cleaning and maintenance is key to keeping dust mites and bed bugs at bay. For even greater peace of mind, why not hire a professional mattress cleaning service like Cleanbeds? Our team uses The Rainbow® Cleaning System to efficiently eliminate stale and dusty air from your mattress so that you can keep your sleeping area clean and pest-free. Not only that, the Rainbow® Cleaning System is also AHAM certified, which means that we are certified asthma and allergy-friendly!

Whether it’s bed bugs or dust mites, Cleanbeds can help you keep things under control. Find out more about how we can help you keep your beds safe and clean!