Essentials Oils for Dust Mites

Essential oils are obtained from plants and studies show that these oils are of great value when dealing with dust mites.

In most cases, essential oils are obtained from the plants through the process of distillation.

The major parts of the plants from which the oils are obtained include; veins, oil glands, and hairs.

Read on to find out how you can use these naturally occurring substances to control dust mites.

Geranium oil

Geranium essential oil contains high levels of geraniol which is deadly to dust mites.  An investigation was done in 2008 to determine how beta-citronellol and geraniol, both from geranium, and the common benzyl benzoate and DEET used to kill mites compared in levels of effectiveness.[1]

From the study, geranium oil constituents proved to be more effective in killing dust mites as compared to the anti-dust mite chemicals. Geraniol was the most toxic to dust mites and next after it was beta-citronellol.

Requirements

• 12 drops of geranium essential oil
• spray bottle (dark glass bottle)
• Distilled water
• 2 ml. Everclear alcohol (or vodka)

Procedure

1. Put the 12 drops of geranium in the spray bottle
2. Add the 2ml of the alcohol
3. Finally, to top the mixture, add distilled water
4. Spray the mixture on your mattress, mattress cover, sheets, pillows, and your blankets. You could also spray it on other surfaces where dust mites are likely to be living.

One of the advantages of using this oil is that it has a sweet floral scent and that makes it very comfortable for use around all areas of your house. It is however not as readily available as the other essential oils. Below is how to make a geranium spray to kill dust mites.

Clove oil

Clove oil is effective in repelling insects and dust mites. A study carried out in 2006 found that clove oil was among the best essential oils for killing dust mites.

It was especially found to kill the house dust mite referred to as D.pteronyssinus which makes up about 90% of dust mite population.[2]

Requirements

• Clove oil
• Hot and cold water
• 2 cups baking soda
• Fine mesh filter

Procedure

1. Wash your sheets, mattress cover, pillow cases, and any other washable bedding in hot water.
2. Add 20 drops of clove oil to the cold water and use the water to rinse the bedding. The reason the essential oil is only mixed with the cold water is because high heat destroys essential oils.
3. Try smell the bedding and if you feel that the smell of clove oil is too strong for you, you can rinse them a second time. Remember, as much as you want to keep dust mites away, you do not want to interfere with your sleep at night.
4. For your mattress, make a mixture of the baking soda with 20 drops of clove oil in a jar.
5. Shake the mixture to ensure it blends.
6. Sift the mixture all over your mattress and upholstered furniture using the fine mesh filter.
7. Allow the mixture to take effect for one hour then vacuum all the baking soda.

An advantage is that clove oil is easy to use and is nearly 100% effective in killing dust mites.

However, it has a disadvantage in that, when used in large amounts, it can lead to respiratory and liver problems.[3] It should also not be used by expectant mothers.

Palmarosa oil

Geraniol is the major active ingredient in palmarosa. As already discussed under geranium essential oil, geraniol is very toxic and hence very effective in killing dust mites.

Dust mites will vacate any area where geraniol has been applied or sprayed.

Requirements

• A spray bottle
• of water
• 60 drops of palmarosa oil
• 20 drops lavender oil

Procedure

1. Using very hot water, wash your linens.
2. Put the water into the spray bottle then add the palmarosa essential oil and lavender oil as well.
3. Shake the bottle to ensure an even solution is formed.
4. When the linens are dry, spray them with the mixture. You can spray several times in a day.

An advantage is that this oil has a very sweet smell and will only make your sleep better at night when used on your bedding.

Additionally, the ingredients making this oil are very relaxing and friendly to your skin. However, it is not very common and may be hard to acquire and has no preservatives.[4]

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil has antibacterial properties, it is an antiseptic, and it acts as a germicide and fungicide. This oil therefore kills dust mites in a natural way ensuring that all the allergens are eliminated.

Killing the allergens is very significant since killing the dust mites alone still leaves you prone to any allergens left.

Requirements

• 1 bucket water
• 5 T liquid detergent for doing your laundry
• 4 % concentration eucalyptus oil

Procedure

1. Make an emulsion by mixing the detergent and the eucalyptus oil
2. Add the emulsion into the water
3. Place the bedding in water and soak it for an hour
4. After the 1 hour, wash the bedding as you would normally do
5. Let the bedding dry
6. Before placing the clean bedding on your mattress, you should use a cloth dipped in the eucalyptus oil to wipe the mattress. You must remember to vacuum the mattress surface first before wiping it with the cloth. Let the mattress dry then spread the clean sheets.

Eucalyptus oil is readily available, simple to use and it is less costly compared to other essential oils. The only challenge is the medicinal odor produced by eucalyptus oil.

Nevertheless, it will only last for a day or two and that means you will suffer just a little bit but get lots of benefits from the oil.

Lavender oil

Lavender oil has terpinen-4-ol explaining why it is very effective in killing dust mites. It immobilizes dust mites in the first thirty minutes of its use and in about 2 hours, most of the dust mites are dead.[5]

Requirements

• 1 tablespoon alcohol free natural witch hazel
• 3 oz distilled water
• 20 drops lavender oil

Procedure

1. Into a plastic spray bottle, add all the ingredients
2. Spray the area suspected to have dust mites with as much of the mixture as needed

Lavender oil is very convenient for use all over your house due to its sweet smell. For this reason, it is used together with other oils that have an unpleasant smell. In fact, if you plan to use just one essential oil, then you should buy lavender oil.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has insecticide properties and this makes it effective in destroying dust mites. Generally, tea tree oil can kill all types of mites since it has acaricidal effects against mites.

Requirements

• Spray bottle
• Tea tree oil

Procedure

1. Into the spray bottle, add tea tree oil.
2. After identifying areas you suspect to have dust mites, spray this oil to kill the dust mites.
3. Repeat the procedure until no dust mite symptoms are seen in you or any of your family members.

Tea tree oil is easily available and is relatively cheap. The only problem you may have with it is the medicinal scent which can be reduced by adding a few drops of lavender oil.

Neem oil

This oil is best used to treat your skin when you have allergy from dust mites. However, it can also be used to keep dust mites away. It does not get rid of them by killing them but rather, it has a pungent smell that repels dust mites.

When wiping your surfaces of any dust, you can add a little bit of neem oil to the water so that the smell is left on the surfaces keeping the dust mites away.

Requirements

• Neem oil
• A piece of cloth

Procedure

1. Add a few drops of neem oil to the water that you will use to wipe all over your house.
2. Dip the piece of cloth in the water then squeeze it before proceeding to wipe off dust.
3. You should repeat this procedure every time you are doing your cleaning to always repel dust mites.

Camphor oil

Similar to neem oil, camphor oil acts as a repellant and keeps away all dust mites from your home.

It is not only effective in getting rid of dust mites but also in treating the allergies caused by the mites. Below is a guide on how to use this oil to keep away dust mites.

Requirements

• Camphor oil
• A spray bottle

Procedure

1. Add a reasonable amount of camphor oil into the spray bottle.
2. Spray the areas that are prone to dust mite infestation generously. This will keep dust mites away from such surfaces.

As much as the above essential oils can be used independently and still deliver positive results; with regard to killing dust mites, it is advisable that you combine the oils to make a stronger spray.

Despite the few disadvantages that come with some oils such as unpleasant smell, essential oils have nearly zero side effects giving them a preference over chemical ways of killing dust mites.

More about Dust Mites

• Facts about dust mites, how they look like in pictures, signs and frequently asked questions
• Dealing with dust mites bites
• How to get rid of dust mites naturally and with use of chemicals
• Dealing with Dust Mite Allergy
• Does Lysol Kill Dust mites?

Sources

[1] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23423597_Mite-Control_Activities_of_Active_Constituents_Isolated_from_Pelargonium_graveolens_Against_House_Dust_Mites

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24641290

[3] http://www.anevergreenlife.com/clove-essential-oil/

[4] https://grannymoon.wordpress.com/2017/06/08/palmarosa-essential-oil/

[5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0367326X07001700