Dust mites are in virtually every home, but for many people they can cause huge problems. These tiny critters are found in nearly every home and survive on dead skin cells and pet dander. They are not usually a problem for humans - they don't bite people or suck blood - their feces and dead remains are so tiny that they can be inhaled as dust and in some cases cause allergies. An allergy specialist can find out if you have an allergy to dust mites.

If a person living in your home is allergic to dust mites, you should try to reduce the number of mites and in so doing eliminate the source of the irritation. You should start by making the conditions less hospitable to the mites.

Begin by lowering the humidity in your home; if the humidity level is less than 50 percent in your home, this will have a major impact on the number of dust mites.

Keep your house clean. Invest in professional upholstery cleaning and carpet cleaning, especially when there are pets in the house. Clean and vacuum your floors, upholstery, and drapery regularly.

Change your bedding at least weekly and clean it in hot water to kill remaining dust mites. While your sheets are being cleaned, clean and vacuum your mattresses as thoroughly as possible. Dust mites love to live in our bedding, because we shed millions of skin cells in our beds so this step is especially important for controlling sensitivity.

An air filter will probably help, but be sure to find a special filter that can catch the very small mites and the dust they create. Washable filters are not appropriate because mites can actually live in them and contribute to the problem. Be sure to use appropriate allergy-reducing filters in your furnace as well.

If your sensitivity is more severe, you may have to take more drastic steps. Pets are a major source of mites because the tiny critters love their dander. If you cannot reduce the mite population with a pet in the house you may have to move the pet out of the house.

Finally, take steps to reduce the attractiveness of your home to mites. Buy latex covers for your mattresses, hypoallergenic pillows, and short-pile carpet. Ensure that your furniture is not of the overstuffed variety, since this kind of furniture can be very attractive to the dust mite population.

These steps may seem extreme, but dust mites are very troublesome to eliminate. Experiment with several of these methods until your problems decrease. Once you are able to breathe easier and live more comfortably in your own home, you'll find that your efforts were worth it.