Pictures of dust mites and bed bugs

If you suspect that dust mites are causing you harm, it’s understandable to know what they look like (see below for dust mite pictures). Dust mites exist in almost every home, worldwide, but most people wouldn’t recognize them. Why so?

Learning about dust mites might be disturbing, but the good news is that we can’t see them with the naked eye. Dust mites are not visible unless viewed under a microscope.

I’ll share a few dust mite pictures (under a microscope of course) and share a few helpful facts to protect you from their invisible threat!

Why Dust Mites Aren’t Visible (photos)

There are a few different species of dust mites but all of them are similar in size. They are all tiny and their translucent body makes them even harder to see.

The measure only .008-.012 inches in length (.2-.3 millimeters). Although they are just small enough that we can’t see them, a basic 10x magnification makes them easy to spot.

If you’re up for an afternoon project, collect some dust from the corner of your carpet, or remove a few feathers from a pillow and put them under the microscope (mattresses, pillows, carpets, fabric couches, are all good places too find them).

With time and little luck, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to see a few dust mites.

I See Something That Looks Like A Dust Mite

Many people confuse another bed pest with the dust mite. As I’ve already mentioned, dust mites live in almost every home and they rarely cause problems – unless you’re allergic to them. Having dust mites aren’t a reason for concern, however, their cousin, the beg bug is a major problem.

Bed bugs are larger bedroom pests and they can be seen. They are small, but visible on a mattress.

>> read my other article if think you have dust mite bites

Bed bugs shouldn’t be in your home and if they are they will live and breed in areas that you sleep. A bed bug infestation requires immediate action because they suck blood and cause itchy welts on the body.

They are easily spread to other homes through clothes, backpacks, and shoes.

It’s Best We Don’t See Dust Mites

If dust mites were only a little larger, we’d see them a lot. Older mattresses may be home to hundreds of thousands of mites. The same goes for an older pillow.

It’s disturbing enough to hear about dust mites in our beds, but seeing them would be even worse.

Thankfully, most people will never know dust mites exist, and for our sanity, it’s probably best that way.

Conclusion

Dust mites are a major cause of allergy symptoms and if you’ve recently had an allergy test, you might be interested in knowing what dust mites look like.  After all, you should know what they look like if they’re living in your bed and pillows.

The frustrating thing about dust mites is that we can’t see them unless we’re using a microscope.  To make matters worse, dust mites are translucent (see-through).

It’s also important to differentiate dust mites from other bed pests like the bed bug.  These are two different species and the latter should be removed from the room (dust mites will always live in your home but their population can be better managed).

Bed bugs and dust mites are not creatures you want in your home. Any pest in the home is a total nuisance and can wreak havoc on your health and cause you and your loved ones misery. While bed bugs and dust mites are common pests, they have major differences. Knowing what you’re dealing with empowers you to find the right solution.

So What’s The Difference?

Bed bugs are actually bugs. Their scientific name is Cimex lectularius. They are small, up to 7mm in length, but they are big enough to see them with our own eyes. They have flat and oval bodies that are reddish-brown. Bed bugs can’t fly but they can crawl very long distances.

Dust mites are arachnids. Their scientific name is Dermatophagoides spp. They are microscopic creatures, up to 0.5mm, that you will never be able to see with your naked eye. They are globular in shape and creamy white in colour.

Food for Pests

Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of sleeping humans and animals but these bugs can go for months without feeding while they look for their ideal host.

Dust mites feed on dead skin cells that we and our pets leave behind; and we tend to shed them throughout the day and as we are sleeping – about 0.03g to 0.09g of skin every hour, which is equivalent to about 30,000 to 40,000 old skin cells a day! This amount would not seem much to us, but that’s plenty of food for these pests.

Where do they live?

 You will find both bed bugs and dust mites in beds but they inhabit them very differently.

Bed bugs hide in crevices close to the bed and also in other parts of the bedroom such as in curtains, behind headboards or under bedside tables.

Dust mites prefer dark and moist environments like pillows and mattresses where they enjoy a constant food source. Yes, that is from the skin we are feeding them with.

How do they affect your health?

Bed bugs are one of the few parasites that do not transmit disease. While it will not make you ill, many people are allergic to the bites of bed bugs. The bite sites can get inflamed and itchy.

Dust mites are not parasites and are not able to bite us, however they excrement can cause allergic reactions like rhinitis, asthma and eczema.

How do I get rid of them?

The best bet for keeping both pests at bay is lots of cleaning! While you can completely eliminate bed bugs with pest control solutions, dust mites are pests that can’t be totally eliminated but can be significantly reduced.

You can frequently vacuum your furniture and wash bedsheets and blankets weekly in hot water.

For a deeper clean, you will need the help of professionals. At De Hygenique, we provide deep cleaning for sofas, mattresses and carpet.

We also have an anti-dust mite treatment that is safe for fabric, humans and pets. Potema Mattress-Clean Spray has proven to effectively reduce dust mite growth by 90% and can last for up to 4 to 6 months.

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

What does dust mites look like on a bed?

What do dust mites look like on humans?

What kills dust mites and bed bugs?