Dehumidify to Control Dust Mites

Thursday, July 2, 2009 by Dennie Plomedahl

Did you know....According to the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, dust mites are found in most homes.  While dust mites are not parasitic and do not bite, people can be allergic to them.  Symptoms include sneezing, itchy, water eyes, nasal stuffiness, runny nose, stuffy ears, respiratory problems, eczema and (in severe cases) asthma. 

Dust mites need high temperatures (75 to 80 degrees F) and high humidity (70 to 80% relative humidity) to survive.  One study showed when humidity is 60% or lower, the dust mite population stops growing and dies out. 

Control humidity for dust mite management
At the top of the university’s list for eliminating problems due to dust mites is controlling the relative humidity (RH) in the home.  Keeping the RH below 50% is the key.  The best way to reduce the RH in your home is to install an Aprilaire whole-house dehumidifier.  Unlike a portable unit that only removes moisture from the room it is in, Aprilaire works with your HVAC system to deliver dehumidified air to your entire home.  And, unlike portable dehumidifiers that require constant cleaning and emptying of the tank, an Apriaire whole-house dehumidifier only needs the filter cleaned once a year.

Aprilaire - protecting your health for over 50 years!  
 

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