How to Get Mites Out of Carpeting
And what to do if mites have infested UNDERNEATH carpeting
Many types of mites can infest carpeting, and some are more difficult to get rid of than others. If you're dealing with bird mites, rodent mites or springtails, keep reading beyond step two for instructions on addressing problems that spread BELOW carpet padding. If you don't know what type of mite has taken control of your life, call 734-782-5205. We may be able to help you figure it out.
Step One: Vacuum thoroughly, spray carpets and clean hard floors with Dr. Ben's Evictor.
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How to determine if bird mites or springtails have infested underneath carpeting
You may need special tools to slide under carpet edges and remove staples along the tack strip. (Tools shown at left). Peel back the carpeting near the edges and roll it away from the wall. Study the area with a magnifying glass or use a point and shoot microscope like the one shown below. What do you see? Take pictures and tell us. If your mite infestation has become chronic and nothing you do will end the nightly assaults, chances are you're dealing with something far more serious than dust mites or mange mites. Sadly, you must remove carpet and spray treat the original wood floor below the surface. Be sure to suit up properly when removing carpet. Wear a mask with goggles and a shower cap. Cover your hands with plastic dish washing gloves that run up to the elbow. Spray your clothing and shoes with a good repellent. Unlike bird mites and rodent mites, springtails can jump. They may land on you during the carpet removal process.
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A good inexpensive microscope for mite victims
Learn the difference between bird mites, rodent mites and springtails
There are ten types of mites that can bother humans to varying degrees, but these three critters are the top offenders that lead victims to contact me after multiple pest control efforts have failed. Under a microscope or magnifying glass, bird and rodent mites look like tiny spiders with eight legs. When they haven't eaten, they'll appear to be clear, white or grey in color. After a blood meal, they can be bright red, brown or mahogany in color. An adult bird mite is about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. However, it may swell to three times its normal size after a blood meal. The three-legged larva can't bite and will quickly transform into nymphs in less than 24 hours.
In contrast, Springtails look like segmented organisms with antennae. (See comparison photos above.) You won't always see the tail, as they keep it tucked under the abdomen. Springtails are not natural parasites. They technically aren't even mites. They're hexapods. They feed upon mold in the soil and often get into homes through cracks in foundations. There was once a heated debate as to whether or not springtails could attack humans, but that debate is old news. I've personally dealt with thousands of clients who can't get springtails out of their skin, toenails, ears, genitals and scalp. When I encourage new victims to buy point-and-shoot microscopes, they're often able to produce pictures of springtails. If doctors have been less than kind to you, please visit our article on how to talk to medical professionals. To help identify the critters that are attacking you, consult websites such as bugguide.net and identify.us.com. For formal identifications, contact VetDna.com.
In contrast, Springtails look like segmented organisms with antennae. (See comparison photos above.) You won't always see the tail, as they keep it tucked under the abdomen. Springtails are not natural parasites. They technically aren't even mites. They're hexapods. They feed upon mold in the soil and often get into homes through cracks in foundations. There was once a heated debate as to whether or not springtails could attack humans, but that debate is old news. I've personally dealt with thousands of clients who can't get springtails out of their skin, toenails, ears, genitals and scalp. When I encourage new victims to buy point-and-shoot microscopes, they're often able to produce pictures of springtails. If doctors have been less than kind to you, please visit our article on how to talk to medical professionals. To help identify the critters that are attacking you, consult websites such as bugguide.net and identify.us.com. For formal identifications, contact VetDna.com.
Do you need to treat your yard?
It depends on how your infestation began. If you brought mites home from a motel or picked up an infested piece of furniture from a resale shop, you won't need to treat the yard because the infestation didn't start there. If your pets keep bringing fleas or mites into the home, yard treatment should be part of the your total pest control plan. It can save you thousands of dollars on home treatment and vet bills in the long run! When it comes to yard issues that spread indoors, we receive a lot of calls about springtails. Springtails are mold eating organisms that live in the soil. They can also feed upon decaying mulch. They're commonly found under leaf litter and landscaping materials or near pet waste. When yard populations grow out of control, springtails may begin to make their way into crevices around foundations. Springtails are also known to infest basements, congregate under kitchen sinks or take up residence behind tile in moldy bathrooms.
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Do you need to surround the foundation of your home with granules?
Do you have a problem with rodents, raccoons or rabbits nesting near the foundation of your home? Did your mite or springtail infestation begin with the addition of new landscaping materials around the perimeter of the home? Has excessive rain caused mold or moisture issues near the foundation? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it may be good idea to surround the base of your home with a granular pesticide that keeps releasing pest controlling liquids month after month. Our premium heartwood granules deliver a fresh blast of cedar infused liquid to the soil or grass each time it rains.
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Be sure to soak infested laundry in a proper organic pesticide
For more than 20 years, pet owners and veterinarians have trusted this product to wash and soak animals afflicted with mites. The formula can also be added to laundry water to help kill mites in the wash. Detergents and hot water alone don't always kill parasites in the laundry. When scabies outbreaks occur in nursing homes and other institutions where bedridden patients have no skin-to-skin contact, the laundry is usually blamed for transmission. Over a twelve year period, I have received thousands of phone calls from frustrated callers who claim that they can feel things pricks and movement coming from parasites like bird mites or springtails in laundered clothing that comes straight out of the dryer. As a general rule, infested laundry should be soaked for an hour in Boax before washing. A cap full of Vet's Choice Concentrate can be added along with the Borax. When soaking thick items such as blankets and sweaters, add two caps of Vet's Choice Concentrate.
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Do you need to fog the home? It depends on the type of mite you're battling.
Below you will find a list of the top ten mites that bother humans. Only a few mites on the list tend to be chronic. Fogging is an aggressive agenda for serious or chronic mite infestations. The mist settles on walls, ceilings and other surfaces that traditional spray programs don’t reach. To determine if fogging is necessary, consult the following list.
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Top ten mites that aggravate humans (Only a few require fogging)
- Dust Mites: Rest assured that these microscopic mites are not responsible for the crawling or biting sensations that may be keeping you awake at night. A fogging protocol is not necessary. Simply spray carpets, couches and bedding with Dr. Ben's Evictor. Vacuuming is not enough, as dust mites are known for their ability to cling to carpet and bedding fibers. Dust mites do not bite humans or pets. They feed upon pet dander and skin flakes that humans shed naturally. When dust mite waste becomes airborne, it can cause allergic reactions such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy hives, asthma and various breathing difficulties. If you're allergic to dust mite waste, a UV air filter can make all the difference in the world. Such filters use UV light to kill contaminants that are drawn into the unit. We do not sell air filters, but we've included product recommendations near the end of this article.
- Demodex Mites: Demodex mites are normal skin residents in virtually all mammal species. For the most part, these microscopic organisms live in hair follicles and don't cross from pets to humans or vice versa. In rare cases, humans can be sensitive to dog Demodex mites (Demodex canis or Demodex ingal) or cat Demodex mites (Demodex cati and Demodex gatoi). Fogging is not necessary, as Demodex mites can't live away from hosts for more than a few days, depending upon room temperature and humidity. Most humans have their own demodex mites (Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis). When demodex populations grow out of control, it can cause hair loss, acne, rosacea, itchy eyes, swollen eyelids and crusty eyelashes. To treat Demodex mites on the head, saturate your hair and scalp with Dr. Ben's Evictor and leave the solution in place for a few hours. To treat the face, dab a bit of the Evictor onto your fingertips or apply with a cotton ball. You cannot treat eyes or eyelashes with Dr. Ben's Evictor, but you can dab a bit on eyebrows. Ask your dermatologist for steroid eye drops or use a Q-tip to apply castor oil along your lash line. Blepharitis is a common eye condition that can make eyelids red, swollen or itchy. The Demodex mite can cause blepharities by carrying streptococci and staphylococci bacteria to the eye area.
- Grain Mites (Straw Itch Mites): These common parasites of insects tend to infest stored cereal, rice, corn meal, dried beans, peas, straw and hay. They normally pray upon insects but will also bite humans. Thankfully, grain mites don't remain on humans for long or burrow into human skin. Fogging is not necessary unless you need to eradicate a host insect that has brought grain mites into your home. In residential spaces, grain mites are typically associated with pantry staples and stored pet foods. Problems tend to resolve quickly when infected foods are discarded and surfaces are disinfected Dr. Ben's Evictor. In barns, grain mites can infest straw and hay. It's a heartbreaking situation, as the hay fed to horses is quite expensive, and it cannot be sprayed with chemicals or essential oils.
- Scabies Mites: A fog machine is not necessary, as the human scabies mite doesn't travel far from the human host. Frequent spray treatment of skin, couches and bedding will be required. Special laundry practices are mandatory. Learn more about laundry treatment at this link. Doctor's visits will be required to monitor skin.
- Cheyletiella Mites: This mite is sometimes called the walking dandruff mite due to the appearance of white flakes that move along with the mites. Fogging is useful for this type of infestation. Skin treatment will also be necessary, as the cheyletiella mite can burrow down into the superficial keratin layer of skin. Spray skin, bedding, carpets and furniture with Dr. Ben's Evictor.
- Bird Mites: Fogging is often necessary for this type of infestation, as bird mites tend to spread all over the house. In addition to congregating inside couches or air ducts, they may be found climbing up walls or dispersing across ceilings. For this reason, a good fog machine may be necessary to help pest control fluids settle upon walls, coat ceilings and penetrate unseen crevices. Most bird mite clients come to me after hiring pest control operators and failing with typical spray protocols.
- Rodent Mites: Fogging is often necessary for this type of infestation because rodent mites tend to hide behind walls and emerge in large numbers when rodents die from various poisons that were used to eradicate them. Most clients come to me after hiring pest control operators and failing with typical spray protocols.
- Springtails: Springtail infestations are among the most chronic and difficult to treat because these organisms are often connected to mold issues behind walls or under floors. In addition to floor treatment and furniture treatment, fogging is often necessary to take down the numbers. Yard treatment is often useful because many springtail cases begin after dumping new landscaping materials on the property. Springtails are also connected to mold and moisture issues around the foundation, especially after floods.
- Chiggers: Chiggers are tiny mites that live outdoors in grassy or wooded areas near water. They can be red, orange or yellow in color. The larval stage of the mite is the only parasitic stage. Adults do not bite. They thrive in warm temperatures, especially during humid periods in the summer. If chiggers get into your home by accident, they won't survive long. Fogging is not necessary, but you may want to spray skin and bedding during the short duration of their reign.
- Oak Mites: Oak mites are microscopic insects that live in oak trees and feed upon small midget fly larvae.The oak mite bite can create red welts that are sometimes misdiagnosed as chigger bites. The good news is that you don't have to fumigate the house or throw your mattress away. Oak mites can't survive without the bug larvae they feed upon. If they accidentally get into your home via trees located near windows, they won't live long. If oak mites have become a problem on your property, it helps to spray clothing and skin with Dr. Ben's Evictor before going out to do yard work. Spraying trees won't do much good, as these mites are protected within oak galls, unsightly brown balls that grow from branches or look like hanging fruit.
Easy Fog Machine Instructions
Wear a mask and goggles when using ANY type of fogging solution, including our organic product. Before fogging, spray carpets, couches and beds directly with Dr. Ben's Evictor. Clean floors with the product and spray inside drawers and cabinets. Turn off pilot lights connected to stoves and furnaces before fogging. Disable smoke detectors, as the fog may set them off. Cover television screens with a sheet or drop cloth. Remove all pets and humans from the house before fogging. Walk around with the machine and take the machine from room to room to be sure each room is treated thoroughly. Point the nozzle of the machine into cabinets and under beds. Air out the house for 4 to 5 hours before returning humans and pets and before turning pilot lights back on. (Air out overnight before returning pet birds.) Open windows and operate fans in each room to air out the house thoroughly.
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Be sure to get a PROPER waterproof encasement for your mattress
Mites don't just linger on the surface of your bed. They can hide deep within the mattress where spray pesticides can't reach them. Critters like bird and rodent mites can keep emerging from hidden areas to attack. Encasing your mattress will ensure that hidden mites can't come back to harm you. The picture at left links to one of my favorite encasement brands, but any waterproof encasement certified for bedbug and dust mite protection should do. If your current encasement doesn't feel like it's containing the problem well enough, DOUBLE ENCASE your mattress.
Price: $18.99
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Store laundry in proper air tight containers with sachet bags. No wicker hampers!
Try a stand alone UV air purifier to remove mold spores and microscopic mite debris
Aside from a good air duct cleaning, a single room air purification system is a wise investment. The perfect air purification system should have two features. It should remove particles down to .03 microns, and it should have a HEPA filter to prevent particles from blowing back out into the environment. The filter pictured below has a third feature of great interest to mite infested homeowners. The UV-C light technology works to reduce airborne organisms, including dust mites, bacteria, viruses, germs and mold spores.
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Learn how a dehumidifier can help in your battle against all types of mites
Like all creatures, mites need moisture to thrive, and they extract it from the air. In the wild, mite populations can decrease exponentially under dry conditions. For this reason, it's a standard recommendation for mite victims to purchase dehumidifiers. In an average sized home, two inexpensive dehumidifiers placed at opposite ends of the structure will do the work of one giant deluxe model.
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Be sure to clear junk. Here's a list of things that mite warriors should discard or put in storage.
If your battling something like dust mites or mange mites, you need not discard all of these things. If you're battling bird mites, rodent mites or springtails, consider getting rid of the following items.
- Throw Rugs (Rugs make it difficult to spray, vacuum and perform daily maintenance rituals connected to mite eradication.)
- Throw Pillows (Mites can burrow deep into fabric items. It's impossible to kill them without soaking the item in pesticides.)
- Cardboard Boxes (Mites can EASILY get in and out of cardboard boxes. Store all of your excess items in air tight plastic bins.)
- Live Plants (Depending on what type of micro tiny invader is bothering you, it may like to eat decaying leaves or breed in the soil.)
- Old Clothes! (Unless you plan on soaking them in PCO and storing them in PLASTIC air tight containers, get them out of your life.
- Wicker Laundry Baskets. (Mites can easily move in and out of the spaces. Store dirty and clean laundry in air tight plastic bins.)
- Old Toys. (Since toys should be sterilized on a regular basis, now is a good time to get old or unwanted items out of the mix.)
- Pictures. Did you know that mites can hide behind wall hangings and escape the effects of fogging? Put your favorite pieces in storage until you're absolutely certain that the mites in your home are gone. If that means storing your favorite paintings for a year or more, so be it.
Consider using and extendable wand to vacuum under furniture
If you're physically incapable of moving couches, beds and dressers, look into extendable vacuum wands made to fit under appliances. For example, the wand pictured below is made for the following Shark Model Vacuums. HV320, HV380, IF200, IF250, NV340, NV350, NV480, NV600, NV601, NV680, NV681, NV800, NV801.
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You may also like these articles:
- Top 12 Natural Supplements Used Against Parasites
- 20 Ways to Trap Mites
- How to Get Mites and Bedbugs Out of Couches
- How to Talk to Your Doctor About Mites
- How to Collect Mite Samples for Lab Identification
- 10 Organic Ways to Kill Garden and Lawn Pests
- The Importance Of Choosing Clothing and Bedding Made of Synthetic Materials