You’ve probably heard of dust mites, lice and scabies. These three pests are smaller than other common household pests—in fact, they can be microscopic—and may not make their presence felt immediately. However, they each have a well-defined role to play in our homes and personal spaces. Learn more about these creatures and what can be done to manage their activities.
What Are Dust Mites, Lice and Scabies?
Lice, dust mites and scabies are ubiquitous. Whereas lice and scabies are generally regarded as “personal pests” for humans and animals, dust mites are largely harmless and may actually perform beneficial tasks for their human hosts.
Dust mites measure less than .5 millimeter in length and can congregate in colonies of many thousands. They can’t clearly be seen without the aid of a microscope. Meanwhile, head lice can grow up to three millimeters in length, and body lice can be even larger. Scabies mites are about the size of dust mites.
Things to Know About Dust Mites
Although dust mites are commonly implicated in allergic reactions like asthma and hay fever, they don’t carry any diseases or cause serious health problems. Instead, they move about on our bodies, floors, beds and other household spaces in search of dead skin particles, dander and other food items. As their name suggests, their dead bodies are common components of dust. Since they perform a valuable cleaning rule, it’s not advisable to attempt to eradicate them from the home.
How to Treat Lice
Head lice and body lice can be more of a nuisance. The former can cause painful itching and bleeding of the scalp and may promote hair loss in children and adults. Fortunately, infestations can be treated with special shampoos that kill lice and their eggs. While body lice aren’t highly problematic in the developed world, they can carry deadly diseases and represent a major cause of mortality in the developing world.
How to Treat Scabies
Scabies may be even more painful than head or body lice. These tiny mites burrow under the surface of human skin and leave long, painful trails in their wake. For children, elderly people and those with compromised immune systems, scabies can cause potentially deadly complications. Infestations can be treated with cream or lotion that must be applied over most or all of the body. Traditional programs of household pest control usually aren’t effective for personal scabies infestations.
Pest Control in Austin for Common Household Pests
As a full-service household pest control company that serves the Austin area and beyond, we’re happy to help manage the biting insects, structural pests and rodents that live in your home and on your property. Unfortunately, we can’t treat every single pest that’s known to man. For “personal pests” like scabies and lice, it’s best to consult with a physician or dermatologist who can recommend and oversee an appropriate course of treatment. For all other pest control needs, contact an expert at ABC Home & Commercial Services in Austin.