How Do You Know If You Have Bed Bugs Or Dust Mites? A Must Read!

The insects don’t spread diseases but can cause rashes that increase the chance of secondary skin infections. Symptoms of the bites include red areas and slight swelling. The thing is, how a victim reacts to the bites can differ. Some do not react at all.

A rash from the insects increases your risk of getting another skin illness, although they don’t carry any disease. Redness and minor swelling are the most common bite symptoms. The way a victim reacts to the bites varies from person to person. There are those who do not respond at all.

Bạn đang xem: How Do You Know If You Have Bed Bugs Or Dust Mites? A Must Read!

Comparing Bed Bugs vs Dust Mites

To begin with, bed bugs are far larger than dust mites.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs have a body length of only 0.28 millimeters. It’s possible for some to be as little as 0.019 inches in diameter. In terms of appearance, these pests are about the size of sandpaper or an apple seed.

The nymphs (young bed bugs) are translucent yellow at first, but as they start feeding on blood, they turn red. Oval, flat frames give them a brownish hue. However, after a good diet, they turn a deep red color and grow in size.

Dust Mites

One tenth of the size of a bed bug is the dust mite. Humans are unable to see dust mites because of their small size. They can only be seen with a microscope’s magnification. Only between.004 and.157 inches long are these critters.

The globular shape and translucent white hue of dust mites make them easy to spot.

The Biggest Difference of Them All!

The dust mite is not an insect at all. No antennas, only eight legs. These characteristics place them in the arachnid family, making them a distant relative of the spider.

Insects are a type of bed bug. They have six legs and antennae, as is customary for members of this species.

You can see how the pests differ from one another in this table.

6 Key Differences Between Bed Bugs and Dust Mites

Here are six things to keep in mind when dealing with bugs.

1. Bed bugs are parasites, which means they do not spread disease like some other types of parasites. Their bites can either have no effect at all or cause severe allergic reactions in those who are allergic to them.
2. The dead skin cells that dust mites eat are their main source of nutrition. Bugs can feed on skin as well as floors and carpets because they aren’t immune to settling there.
3. Protonymph, tritonymph and adult dust mites are all stages in the mite’s life cycle, which begins with an egg. The life cycle of a bed bug begins with the egg and continues through the nymphal stages, which include four in total, until the bed bug becomes an adult.
4. When bitten by bedbugs, the victim is likely to have a severe itching, hives, or redness. Washing and applying anti-itching treatments are part of the treatment process. If things don’t improve, see a doctor.
5. Allergic responses can be caused by dust mites. To determine if your symptoms are caused by mites, your doctor will conduct tests on a sample of your skin or draw blood from you. Shots or immunotherapy will be used to treat the condition.
6. Dust mites are notoriously difficult to eradicate. Use mattress and pillow covers and make sure your bedding is spotless before you go to bed. (Bedbugs can also be treated with this method). These bed bugs require a powerful response. The use of heat therapies has the potential to be beneficial. Chemicals like pyrethroids can also be used to prevent an infestation. An exterminator may be required.

Animal specialists, researchers, farmers, environmentalists, journalists and editors have joined forces with pet owners at AZ Animals to better inform you about the animal kingdom and our relationship with it.

How to tell if it’s dust mites or bed bugs

He explains that dust mites aren’t actually bugs. Spiders, chiggers, and ticks are all arachnids, and they all have eight legs. They can only be observed using a microscope since they are so little.

In contrast, a bed insect can be seen without a microscope if you know where to look. They’re about the size of an apple seed, with six legs. Bed bugs that have recently fed on you will be reddish brown in hue due to the blood they ingested.

It is possible for bedbugs to leave other traces. Specks of blood, a musty smell, or the outer shell of the beetle are all examples of these (exoskeleton).

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, other indicators of bed bug infestation include tiny, dark specks (bed bug feces) or eggs in the crevices of your bed.

Neither bed bugs nor dust mites are capable of flight. There is a good chance they’ll spend time in the same spots you do, like your bed and couch.

Bedbugs and house dust mites are abundant in places where people congregate, according to DeVries.

Furthermore, dust mites do not sting. Instead, they get their nutrition from the flakes of dead skin cells that you expel on a daily basis. There are around 1 million dust mites that can feed on the 1.5 grams of skin that an average adult sheds each day.

They’re also rather common. According to the American Lung Association, dust mite allergen can be found in up to four out of every five houses in the United States.

Xem thêm : How Big Is The 60×80 Blanket? Comprehensive Guide

According to DeVries, “Bed bugs will bite us because they need our blood in order to exist. This class of parasites is referred to as “ectoparasites” since they do not enter human bodies.

Dust mites vs. bed bugs: how long they live

Egg, larva, protonymph, tritonymph and adult are the five stages of a dust mite’s life span. Under ideal conditions, mites mature into adult mites in one month. Two months is the maximum life span of an adult dust mite, and the females can produce anywhere between 50 and 100 eggs.

As with other insects, bedbugs go through five stages of growth and development. To get larger, they must consume blood in order to shed their exoskeleton. Adult bed bugs can survive up to a year if fed properly, according to Virginia Tech entomologists, who estimate that an egg of a bed bug can hatch in 37 days.

The frequency with which a female bed bug feeds determines how many eggs she will lay. As she feeds, her life span increases and she is able to produce a greater number of eggs.

Mealtime for bed bugs can take anywhere from 4 to 12 minutes, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the same way, they eat and run, returning to their hiding area immediately after finishing their meal.

Is there any good news to report? DeVries claims that neither bed bugs nor dust mites carry diseases.

The symptoms of bed bugs vs. dust mites

If you are allergic to dust mites, you will have symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and coughing. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, around 20 million Americans are allergic to dust mites.

Allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, nosebleeds, runny nose, and sneezing are caused by inhaling dust mites’ microscopic excrement and dead body parts, which your immune system attacks and creates antibodies against.

A bed insect bite can trigger an allergic reaction, but bed bugs do not cause allergies. DeVries warns that this might cause extreme itching, blisters, or hives surrounding the bites. (Bed bug bites vs fleabites: how to identify the difference.)

Bed bug bite identification and treatment

Have I been bit by a bed bug? Finding the culprit is the only way to be certain.

Insect bites aren’t necessarily straight lines, adds DeVries. “It’s possible to scatter them all over the place.”

You may see clusters of red welts or bites on your face, arms, and trunk while you sleep. Chigger bites and bed bug bites are very similar in appearance, but it is important to know the difference between the two.

If you have a bed bug bite, the American Academy of Dermatology says you can treat it with soap and water and an anti-itch cream at home.

Within a week or two, the bites normally recover. As soon as you notice signs of an infection such as pus or an allergic response like hives, visit your doctor.

Other home cures for bed bugs should be considered as well.

Dust mite allergy diagnosis and treatment

If you have any suspicions that you may be allergic to dust mites, make an appointment with an allergist who can perform additional testing. Your symptoms may be caused by a skin prick or blood test. To get a clearer picture of what’s going on, your doctor will also ask you about your symptoms and when they’re most likely to occur.

Russell Leftwich, MD, an allergist in Nashville, Tennessee, and a representative for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, argues that the best therapies for dust mite allergies are allergy injections or immunotherapy.

It is hoped that by gradually exposing your immune system to dust mite allergens, it will avoid an assault the next time it encounters them.

Other treatments aim to alleviate the patient’s symptoms. Dr. Leftwich suggests nasal spray or oral antihistamines if you’re congested, and eye drops if you have itchy or irritated eyes.

Dust mites vs. bed bugs: prevention

Dust mites can’t be completely eradicated from your house, but there are several things you can do to lessen your exposure to them.

Xem thêm : How To Clean Frigidaire Air Conditioner Filter? 3 Common Types Of AC Units In Frigidaire

For starters, think about dust mite-proof mattress and pillow covers. As an added benefit, according to DeVries, these can help keep bed bugs at bay.

There is less chance of dust mites and bed bugs attaching to your mattress if you use these.

Dust mites may be kept at bay by finely woven materials, according to a study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2018.

(To get rid of dust mites, follow these steps.)

Vacuuming with a HEPA filter can help remove dust mites from carpets as well. Dust mites could be released into the air around you if you are not utilizing a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner. If you suffer from allergies, go no further than these HEPA filter vacuums.

Dust mites, pollen, and other potential allergens can also be removed from the air using a portable HEPA filter. HEPA filters are recommended, but aren’t necessary. Check it out.)

According to DeVries, the best way to keep your home dust-free is to wipe down all surfaces.

In order for dust mites to thrive, you should keep the humidity level in your home at or below 50%, according to DeVries. As a result, they must ingest water from the environment. According to him, they also require temperatures of between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit).

According to an allergist and immunologist in Edison, New Jersey, and spokeswoman for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Neeta Ogden, MD recommends clearing out the clutter. She recommends replacing draperies with shades and carpeting with washable area rugs or hardwood floors, which can be cleaned more easily.

DeVries explains that getting rid of bedbugs is a little difficult. Dust mites can be eradicated without the use of pesticides or insecticides, however bed bugs may necessitate the use of these more powerful weapons.

It is possible to treat an infestation of bedbugs with many different types of pesticides such as pyrethrin, pyrethroid, insect growth regulator, and many others. According to the EPA, each class works differently and that more than one class may be required at times.

According to DeVries, this type of cleanup may necessitate the services of a professional.

Bedbugs can be eliminated by using heat treatments. Heating your home to 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit is what these will do, according to the man who claims to have tested them. Both large and small regions can be treated with this type of device.

According to him, drying contaminated items at a high temperature will eliminate bed bugs and dust mites. “You can wash it if you like, but strong heat will kill these pests,” says the expert. Extreme cold works, too. If you don’t have access to a dryer, he recommends freezing it for two days in a zip-top bag and then drying it that way.

Knowing the difference between bed bugs and dust mites is the first step in removing these unwanted guests from your bedding and house.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I know if I have bed bugs or dust mites?

Humans cannot see dust mites because of their microscopic size. Dust mites can cause eczema, nasal congestion, watery eyes, and bug bites. Unidentified blood stains are one telltale sign of bed insect infestation. Sleeping with bugs smashed in your head is possible.

What are the similarities between dust mites and bed bugs?

Even though they appear to be identical, they are actually two distinct species. The arachnid family includes dust mites. An insect is a bed bug.

Are dust mites worse than bed bugs?

Bed bugs, according to some, are more bothersome than house mites. Keeping sheets and blankets clean can prevent a dust mite infestation. Dead skin is what they eat Bugs that feed on the blood of humans are more difficult to eradicate.

Do bed bugs come from dust mites?

No, they’re not related at all.

Can you feel dust mites crawling?

No, they don’t elicit the same shivers as other insects.

What kills dust mites and bed bugs?

Dust mite infection can be prevented with a few simple precautions. Bedding should be washed at a minimum of 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Slowly steaming mattresses, sofa seams, and bed frames will help get rid of bed bugs because they like to hide in the tufts and folds.

Nguồn: https://iatsabbioneta.org
Danh mục: Home