It doesn’t matter how clean you try to keep your home. Most all homes have dust mites. However, there are various remedies to cut down on the number of dust mites in a home. Some say that dehumidifiers help to eliminate dust mites. Will Dehumidifiers Kill Dust Mites?
Dehumidifiers kill dust mites by reducing the humidity in the air to levels intolerable for a dust mite’s survival. Dust mites thrive in humidity levels between 70 to 80% humidity. A dehumidifier set to a range of between 30 to 50% humidity will help to reduce dust mites in a home.
There are several advantages to keeping a clean home.
It can be disheartening when you clean and still know microscopic pests are crawling around on your carpets, bedding, and furniture.
Humidity in a home encourages more than a lush breeding ground for dust mites. Mold and mildew also thrive in damp environments.
Particularly moist areas of a home include the basement or underneath a sink inside the cabinet.
Mold produces tiny spores that become airborne and are then inhaled into the lungs.
Those with asthma are particularly sensitive to these airborne spores, which can trigger serious asthma attacks.
Dust mites are another common household allergen that many are sensitive to. These tiny organisms live in carpets, bedding, curtains, and upholstered furniture.
Signs you may be sensitive to dust mite allergens include:
- Coughing
- Stuffy nose or sneezing
- Wheezing
- Itchy eyes or skin
Signs your home is humid:
- Musty smell
- Condensation on windows
- A stuffy feeling in a room
- Damp stains on ceilings and walls
- Possible rotting wood
Now that we know dust mites thrive in a humid environment, let’s take a look at how a dehumidifier can help eliminate dust mites in your home.
Related Article: Dust mite carcasses and feces are significant contributors to the dust in our homes. It’s true folks. Does Dust Come Out of Air Vents? What You Need to Know
Will Dehumidifiers Kill Dust Mites?
You clean your home religiously. You do everything you can think of to make your home as livable as possible, yet you know you cannot possibly remove all of the dust mites. Will dehumidifiers kill dust mites?
Yes, dehumidifiers kill dust mites by removing the moisture from the air that dust mites need to survive. A dehumidifier can work to draw in the moisture in the room, and then put out the dryer air.
More specifically, a dehumidifier’s fan draws warm air into its coils. As the warm air goes through the cold coils in the machine, the condensation is retained inside the dehumidifier.
Condensation is collected very slowly and is stored in a removable container to be emptied periodically. The cooler, dryer air is released back into the home from a separate part of the machine.
It is recommended to maintain a humidity level of between 30 to 50% to make the environment in your home uninhabitable for dust mites.
What is an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)? Ultimate Resource Learn how an energy recovery ventilator helps capture indoor humidity, odors, and pollutants such as chemicals, pollen, and smoke particles.
The size of the dehumidifier that you need will depend on the size of the room you will put it in as well as the moisture levels in that particular room.
A dehumidifier’s capacity is rated by the amount of moisture removed in 24 hours.
For example, a 50-pint dehumidifier is said to remove 50 pints of moisture in one day.
The capacity of most residential dehumidifiers ranges from 30 pints to 70 pints.
First, you will need to measure the room you wish to use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier that is too big means higher electricity costs than necessary.
A dehumidifier that is too small simply means you are not getting your money’s worth, as the machine is too small to effectively remove the necessary amount of moisture in your room.
Dust mites thrive where there is moisture in the air. You may want to consider taking control of your in-home humidity by purchasing a dehumidifier.
Related Article: 11 Ways to Get Rid of Dust in Your House
Are Dehumidifiers Safe?
We know that dehumidifiers are reliable at removing moisture from the air which will in turn help to kill dust mites. Yet, there are other things to consider before taking the plunge and purchasing a dehumidifier.
Are dehumidifiers safe?
Dehumidifiers are safe to use in a home, even for extended periods. Modern dehumidifiers are built with multiple safety features to ensure absolute safety. There are several health benefits to using a dehumidifier, such as eliminating airborne allergens from mold, mildew, and dust mites.
As with everything in life, there are pros and cons to using a dehumidifier.
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons below, many of which address safety concerns.
9 Pros of Using a Dehumidifier:
1. Easier breathing with less moisture in the air.
2. Helps alleviate asthma symptoms.
3. Removed mold and mildew.
4. Kills dust mites, reducing dust mite allergens.
5. Eliminates musty orders.
6. Dust reduction.
7. Alleviates allergy symptoms.
8. Improves respiratory issues.
9. Clothes dry faster.
4 Cons of Using a Dehumidifier
1. Dehumidifiers make some level of noise.
2. Must keep the water container empty.
3. Higher energy costs, although energy efficient.
4. Dehumidifiers can be expensive.
One could easily conclude that the pros of using a dehumidifier far out way the cons.
Are Dehumidifiers Safe for Pets?
Deciding to purchase a dehumidifier requires research to ensure you are making a good decision. You not only want to know if a dehumidifier is safe for you, but you also need to find out if a dehumidifier is safe for your pets.
Are dehumidifiers safe for pets?
Dehumidifiers are safe for pets just as they are safe for humans. Pets suffer from airborne allergens just like people do. Many cats have an allergic reaction to dust mite allergens, causing severe scratching and sores on their skin. Dehumidifiers also help keep your pets cool in warmer weather.
Dehumidifiers reduce pet dander and pet allergens in your home, however, that is a benefit to you more than to your pet.
During the summertime or when there are higher levels of humidity, pets can overheat easily.
Lowering the humidity in your home helps your pet feel more comfortable and prevents them from suffering heatstroke.
Despite the negatives of higher humidity levels, there are benefits to having some moisture in the air.
When the air is dryer, our skin as well as our pet’s skin tends to become a bit dryer, too.
Our pets must always have access to fresh, clean drinking water so they may hydrate from the inside out.
How Much Does a Dehumidifier Cost?
There are countless types and brands of dehumidifiers.
The good news is that the price for a dehumidifier ranges greatly, so you are bound to find one that meets your needs and that is also in your price range.
To get an accurate idea of how much a dehumidifier will cost, you first want to know what size you will need.
Many variables go into determining what size of dehumidifier that will be best suited for your needs.
Recommended Dehumidifier Size Based on Humidity Level and Room Square Footage:
| Humidity Levels | 300 sq. ft. | 500 sq. ft. | 800 sq. ft. | 1,200 sq. ft. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 – 60% | 20 pint | 25 – 30 pint | 35 – 40 pint | 50 pint |
| 60 – 70% | 20 pint | 25 – 30 pint | 35 – 40 pint | 50 pint |
| 70 – 80% | 25 pint | 30 pint | 45 pint | 55 pint |
| 80-100% | 25 – 30 pint | 35 – 40 pint | 45 – 50 pint | 60 pint |
Now that you have a better idea of the size of the dehumidifier you will need, let’s take a look at some average price ranges for that size of dehumidifier.
| Size | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| 1 – 10 pints (bathroom, closet, under counter) | $ 40 – $70 |
| 20 pint | $100 – $250 |
| 25 – 70 pints | $150 – $400 |
| Whole House System | $1,000 – $1,200 |
| Basement | $800 – $1,200 |
| Crawl Space | $800 – $1,200 |
Pricing can range significantly depending on the size as well as the features that the dehumidifier has.
If you want all of the bells and whistles such as a humidistat to set your desired humidity automatically, you are bound to pay a bit more for that feature.
More pricey dehumidifiers may come with an auto-shutoff feature that is triggered when the water tank is full and needs to be emptied.
Noise level and energy efficiency are also considerations when shopping for a dehumidifier.
Is There a Humidifier Dehumidifier Combo?
There are times when having both a humidifier and a dehumidifier would make sense depending on one’s needs. Is there a humidifier and dehumidifier combo?
Humidifier dehumidifier combos do exist and are made to address the needs of both the lack of moisture in the air as well as to address the reduction of higher humidity levels. Although not as common as individual humidifiers and dehumidifiers, humidifier dehumidifiers are sold.
Usually, most people want either a humidifier or a dehumidifier. For those who wish to have a combo unit, manufacturers typically combine the two machines as one unit.
Each machine, although packaged together, works separately.
If one unit stops working, you cannot simply get rid of it, as it’s attached to the unit that is still working.
Combo humidifier dehumidifier units are larger and take up more space than one stand-alone unit.
It may be best to buy two separate units, as the capacity requirements for each unit are different.
Trina Greenfield, Author
SmackDown Media LLC
LinkedIn
About the Author:
Trina Greenfield, the owner of SmackDown Media LLC, is passionate about providing information to those interested in the air quality in and around their homes. Trina writes content about things she’s passionate about, such as safe, in-home air, educational platforms for children and adults, as well as all things family-related.
