How to get rid of ticks in pillows?

A person does not think about the proximity to microscopic ticks until an allergic reaction appears. These synanthropic organisms have long settled in our homes. Here they found favorable conditions and food in the form of particles of the human epidermis. Ticks in pillows, blankets, upholstered furniture are not visible to the naked eye, but for sensitive people their presence turns into a bouquet of various diseases from dermatitis to bronchial asthma.

Microscopic pillow dwellers

Ticks settled in feather pillows are not related to parasites that live on birds. This is a separate species - Dermatophagoides or house dust mites. Their size is 0.1-0.3 mm, so we do not even notice the presence of millions of arthropod creatures. When viewed through a microscope, an oval convex body is seen, covered with bristles and four pairs of legs. There are suction cups on the extremities with which the tick clings to the surface. At high magnification, you can consider powerful chelicerae - claw-like appendages with which dust mites gnaw on skin particles.

Attention. According to scientists, arachnid colonies make up about 80% of the dust in the apartment.

Dust mites belong to the class of arachnids, a group of acarimorphic mites. A feature of this group is the ability to feed on hair, feathers, skin secretions and particles. 150 species of ticks were found in house dust. In the formation of an allergic reaction in humans, the main role is played by Dermatophagoides pferohysimmus, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinys.

A large number of ticks lives not just in dust, but in bedding. There are several reasons for this choice:

• During sleep, we heat the pillow and bed to a comfortable temperature + 25-30⁰preferred by arachnids.
• Skin secretions provoke an increase in humidity.
• A large amount of the human epidermis, which ticks feed on, remains in bed.

Information. Arthropods living in dust and bedding do not bite a person and do not suck his blood. They are not carriers of dangerous diseases like the ixodic variety.

How do ticks get into the house? They can be brought on clothes, with insufficient processing of the pillow filler, on the hair of pets. The life expectancy of parasites is 65-80 days. During this time, the female manages to lay 60-200 eggs. Arthropods spend most of their lives feeding on human debris. During the day, they defecate up to 20 times. Excrement is the main cause of allergic reactions in humans. If you consider that millions of individuals live in bed, then it is clear what kind of load is placed on the immune system.

Attention. Without washing, the feather pillow for 5 years consists of 50% of the weight of dust, skin secretions, ticks and their metabolic products.

Danger of house dust mites

Small particles of Dermatophagoides ticks and their feces are strong allergens.Excrement contains proteins Der f1 and Der p1. They have a particularly detrimental effect on children living in urban settings. In rural areas, where the child is in contact with animals and various microorganisms, he develops strong immunity. Urban children are more susceptible to diseases, in 70% of cases of bronchial asthma allergies to dust mites became the source of the problem. Particles and secretions of arachnids through the respiratory tract enter the human body. Contact with them causes immune reactions on the skin. In places of irritation, arthropod protein easily penetrates the skin, exacerbating the problem.

Symptoms of occurrence allergies to ticks in pillows:

• sneezing and nasal congestion without a cold;
• persistent persistent cough;
• loss of appetite;
• shortness of breath and shortness of breath during exertion;
• swelling of the eyelids, the appearance of itching;
• red rashes on the face.

When performing diagnostics, the presence of an allergen on house dust mites is detected. In addition to an allergic reaction, they cause other serious diseases:

• conjunctivitis;
• atopic dermatitis;
• bronchial asthma;
• allergic rhinitis.

Information. In many countries, feather pillows and down pillows are prohibited for use in hotels, child care facilities and hospitals.

How to get rid of ticks in the house

There are several ways to get rid of ticks in pillows. It is worth considering that the effect of the majority is temporary. Maintaining cleanliness and care for bedding are basic rules that help reduce synanthropic parasites.

Temperature exposure

Parasites have always lived in feather pillows, and low temperature has traditionally been used to combat them. On a cold winter day, it is recommended that pillows be taken outside and left for several hours. The longer they stay in the cold, the better. More ticks will die during this time.
In the summer, bedding is exposed to direct sunlight. This is both heating and ultraviolet exposure. Internal filling dries well, and parasites do not like dryness. Exposure to UV rays neutralizes tick waste products. Another opportunity to influence uninvited residents is to use a steam cleaner. The disadvantage of this method is the effect only on adults. Eggs are not sensitive to the effects of cold and heat. This means that after a while a new generation of dust mites will grow up.

Information. For processing bedding in hospitals and hotels, special cameras are used where not only adult ticks, but also their eggs are destroyed.

Acaricidal preparations for home use

Regular washing of bedding and ironing helps to cope with parasites. But not all fabrics can be washed at high temperature and ironed. To neutralize allergens and cope with mites at any temperature, a special Acaril liquid is added to the washing machine. The same product, released in powder form, can be used to clean carpets.

Wet cleaning is the main weapon in the fight against dust and its inhabitants. Strengthen its action will allow the addition of special All-Rug shampoo to the water. The product is sold in the form of a concentrate, can be used to clean natural and synthetic pile of furniture and carpets. It is used in a washing vacuum cleaner and for manual cleaning. The drug is diluted in the first month of 1:30, then a solution of 1:60 is enough. The product removes dirt, allergens and mold, has a pleasant aroma.

The Allergoff product line is an acaricidal additive for washing bedding and spray. One bag Allergoff relieves linen from ticks and their metabolic products. It also affects fleas; it can be used to wash litter of domestic animals.

Allergoff spray is able to destroy parasites at any stage of development.The aerosol form simplifies the processing of mattresses, blankets, carpets and upholstered furniture. The effect of acaricidal drug causes the death of ticks in down pillows 1 hour after spraying. Processing bedding must be carried out from all sides. The tool is safe for people, you can use the items 1 hour after its application. The active components of the drug are placed in special capsules, their effectiveness is 6 months. The spray has no smell and does not stain after use.

The spray "Akarosan" when sprayed penetrates the body of dust mites when feeding and through chitinous shell. The main active ingredient of the drug is benzyl benzoate. The spray enlarges arthropod excrement, allowing you to collect them with a vacuum cleaner. Particles of the drug remain in the structure of the treated surface for a long time. They have a detrimental effect on the next generation of ticks. The protective action of "Akarosan" is 6-9 months.

Folk recipe

Salt will help reduce the number of parasites. It is necessary to prepare a solution from it: 200 g of the product is dissolved in 1 liter of warm water. This composition wipes the areas of the largest accumulation of dust mites - skirting boards, window sills, shelves. Having moistened a napkin in this solution, wipe upholstered furniture, toys, mattresses. The main advantages of the solution are affordable cost and effectiveness. Apartment processing is carried out 2-3 times a month.

Feather Pillow Care

It is not necessary to give up your favorite feather pillows due to ticks. They must be properly looked after. In addition to seasonal drying and freezing, flushing the pen is recommended. Once every 2 years, the pillows are dry cleaned, where appropriate treatment is carried out. Feathers can also be washed at home. To do this, you need a linen bag the size of a pillow, soap, ammonia.

The work is performed in the following sequence:

• The feather falls into a prepared bag, which is tightly tied.
• A special soap solution is prepared in a basin or other container of 10 l capacity. It will take 100 g of laundry soap and 100 g of ammonia. After mixing all the ingredients, a bag of feathers is lowered into the container.
• Soaking takes 4 hours, periodically turn the bag over, and knead the contents with your hands.
• Then rinse, you will need to change the water several times until all the soap and dirt disappear.
• Fabric with wet feathers is suspended in a draft. Washing is done on a sunny day so that everything dries quickly. It will take to wait until it dries completely. In order for the feather to dry evenly, you must periodically shake it and knead.

At the same time, there is a washing of the breastplate with the addition of an acaricidal preparation. Dry the fabric with an iron.

Replacing fluff and feather

The times when down pillows were considered the best were in the past. Today, there are many excipients in which parasites do not like to settle.

Among the options for plant origin:

• buckwheat husk - elastic, hypoallergenic, with a pleasant aroma;
• bamboo fiber - antibacterial, elastic, breathable;
• latex - elastic, easy to care for, eliminates the appearance of ticks and other microorganisms.

Synthetic polyester fillers allow hygienic treatment more often:

• holofiber - non-woven material;
• comfort - elastic balls made of polyester;
• synthetic winterizer is an inexpensive material, but quickly loses its shape.

When choosing a filler, consider the age and individual needs of the person. For children, it is better to choose natural fibers that do not cause allergies. Mites living in pillows do not start in buckwheat and bamboo.

Preventive actions

Keeping your loved ones safe from allergic reactions and minimizing the negative effects of dust mites will allow you to follow simple rules:

1. Pillows and mattresses change every 5-6 years. Without proper care, a huge amount of ticks and mold accumulate in them.
2. All bedding, as well as bedspreads, pajamas, bathrobes should be washed and shaken out as often as possible. Drying these things is recommended in the sun.
3. To process the surface of upholstered furniture, toys, carpets, use acaricidal sprays.
4. Regularly carry out wet cleaning in rooms, to prevent dust accumulation under the bed and in the corners of the room.
5. If one of the family members is prone to allergies, it is necessary to take out objects that accumulate dust from the house - carpets, curtains.
6. Ventilate the rooms often; maintain humidity at 40%.
7. Refuse to store old pillows and mattresses in the apartment, immediately get rid of unnecessary things.

It is impossible to completely destroy dust mites, their population is regularly replenished. But to reduce their number and make the house safe for everyone.