House Dust Mites

Jun 12, 2020 | newsletter

One important group of arthropods linked to asthma and common allergies are house dust mites. In 1921, a link was suggested between asthmatic symptoms and allergy triggers and house dust, but it was not until 1964 that investigators suggested that a mite could be responsible. Further investigation linked a number of mite species to the allergen response and revealed that homes have more mites and, subsequently, more allergens. In addition, researchers established that fecal pellets deposited by the mites accumulated in home fabrics and could become airborne via domestic activities such as vacuuming and dusting, resulting in inhalation by the inhabitants of the home. House dust mites are distributed worldwide, with a minimum of 13 species identified from house dust. The two most common in the United States are the North American house dust mite ( Dermatophagoides farinae) and the European house dust mite ( D. pteronyssinus).

According to Lyon, house dust mites thrive in homes that provide a source of food and shelter. Most mites are found in bedrooms in bedding, where they spend up to a third of their lives. A typical mattress may have from 100,000 to 10 million mites in it. In addition, carpeted floors, especially long, loose pile carpet, provide a microhabitat for the accumulation of food and moisture for the mite, and also provide protection from removal by vacuuming. The house dust mite’s favourite food is human dander (skin flakes), which are shed at a rate of approximately 0.20 ounces per week.

House dust mites can be detected using diagnostic tests that measure the presence and infestation level of mites by combining dust samples collected from various places inside the home with indicator reagents Assuming the presence of mites, the precautions listed below should be taken if people with asthma and allergies are present in the home:

• Use synthetic rather than feather and down pillows.
• Change bedding and vacuum the bed base and mattress or use a professional company that provides this service on a regular basis.
• Use nylon or cotton cellulose blankets rather than wool blankets.
• Use hot (120°F–130°F [49°C–54°C]) water to wash all bedding, as well as room curtains.
• Eliminate or reduce fabric wall hangings, curtains, and drapes.
• Use wood, tile, linoleum, or vinyl floor covering rather than carpet.
• Purchase stuffed toys that are machine washable.

High powered or industrial grade HEPA vacuums such as those used by professional mattress cleaning companies have also been shown to be effective. A conventional vacuum tends to be inefficient as a control measure and results in a significant increase in airborne dust concentrations.

Pets
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pets can be significant asthma and allergy triggers because of dead skin flakes, urine, faeces, saliva, and hair. Proteins in the dander, urine, or saliva of warm-blooded animals can sensitize individuals and lead to allergic reactions or trigger asthmatic episodes. Warm-blooded animals include dogs, cats, birds, and rodents (hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, rats, and mice). Numerous strategies, such as the following, can diminish or eliminate animal allergens in the home:

• Eliminate animals from the home.
• Thoroughly clean the home (including floors and walls) after the animal removal.
• If pets must remain in the home, reduce pet exposure in sleeping areas. Keep pets away from upholstered furniture, carpeted areas, and stuffed toys, and keep the pets outdoors as much as possible

Hygienitech Systems – Crystal Ball

Jun 12, 2020 | newsletter

If I had a crystal ball, I’d be asking it “when is this COVID-19 pandemic going to end?”

I’d also be sanitizing it as often as possible with my hand-held UV-C germicidal light.

For more than 20-years we’ve been educating people around the world about the benefits of UV-C light.

We’ve also been equipping our service providers with all of the tools they need to sanitize every type of mattress, upholstered item or any type of porous surface, as well as hard surfaces, using the Hygienitech System and our UV-C based and chemical free process.

Now, more than ever before, we need to collectively get our message out and the best way to do it is using and dominating all of the social media.

It’s the ideal time to let everyone in your area know that while we cannot cure the COVID-19 virus, we can certainly do our part in stopping it from spreading.

Even if they’re reluctant to have you service their home or multi-bed environment right now because of all of the restrictions that are in place, they’ll certainly be ready for you when the world’s doors are finally open again.

With regard to these restrictions, it is important to note that although many places may be closed to the public, they may be very receptive to having our services performed now, before they open up for business. This applies to private homes as well. If you want to do something to show people that you’re capable of providing our services right now, then we would suggest that you do some digging online and locate some type of hazmat suit or any type of protective clothing, as well as a protective face mask.

If you’re able to do this, put this outfit on and either take a selfie or have someone take your picture and post this on your website and every social media site you’re on. We are professionals and we need to look that way, now more than ever.

My Crystal Ball might also tell me that when this pandemic is over, we will all be living in a different world. Everyone and every place of business is going to be more germophobic and more aware of the harmful contaminants in our surroundings.

I wish I was there to shake your hand (even though Dr. Fauci says that we should stop shaking hands now and forever) and thank you for being a member of the Global Hygienitech family.

Now let’s show the world what we can do.

Stay safe, stay informed and stay visible.