How to Tell If You Have Dust Mites on Your Pillow

Dust mites are tiny bugs that are about 1/100 of an inch long. They feed on human and pet dander and typically are found in warm, humid areas of the home where dust can easily collect, such as within bedding and on pillows. Dust mites trigger allergy-like symptoms. Because dust mites are minuscule, you won't be able to see them.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine if you have the common symptoms of dust mite allergies, including sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, nasal congestion and red marks around your neck.

• 2

  Use a different pillow to determine if there are dust mites on your regular pillow. If your allergy symptoms are alleviated or reduced, there could have been dust mites on the first pillow you were using.

• 3

  Wash your pillows and all of your bedding in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. If your dust mite symptoms go away, you probably did have dust mites on your pillow.

• 4

  Spray your pillow and bedding with an insecticide formulated to kill dust mites. Two common sprays are produced by Steri-Fab and BedLam. Follow the directions on the bottle of insecticide, but you'll typically spray the pillow, wait for a few minutes or hours and then wash the pillow in hot water.

• 5

  Hire a pest-control service to determine whether your pillow is infested with dust mites. The pest control representative will use tools that allow him to see any dust mites that may be on your pillow.