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27/04/2008, 15:18 Puzzled Joined on 05/10/2006 Posts 372 Dust mites or similar ? I woke up in the middle of the night having a streaming nose and a sneezing fit -  and it's not hayfever. This morning I noticed on a book by my bed a teeny little white mite - it was smaller than a fullstop but I noticed it was moving. I have checked and dust mites are apparently invisible to the naked eye, so it's not them. I have dusted and used special wet cloths for wooden parquet flooring but can anyone recommend any spray or plug in thingy that will kill them please.    Report

27/04/2008, 16:05 J.R's gone native Joined on 16/07/2006 Picardie, Sussex Posts 1,695 Re: Dust mites or similar ? Today it is a bit too warm but I can recommend the French practice of throwing open your bedroom windows in the mornings and dangling your literie out of the wndow for the world to see whilst letting out all of your expensive heat. After lots of nagging I have finally given in and do the same, I was told that the cold kills the acariens.    Report

28/04/2008, 8:48 Jonzjob Joined on 23/08/2004 Nr Carcassonne, 11 Posts 2,533 Re: Dust mites or similar ? We have just invested in a Polti steam cleaner. Probably not the cheapest option, but it's supposed to kill all known germs including dust mites and the like. It certainly got rid of best part of 20 years worth of muck that was on the tiles and grout at the back of our cooker hob!!. I thought I was going to have to use a wire brush in my drill ! One of the recomended things for them is cleaning matresses and bedding.. John. The only difference between the men & the boys is the size & the shape & the price of their toys!!    Report

28/04/2008, 8:53 Bugbear Joined on 15/11/2006 Vienne (86) Posts 3,518 Re: Dust mites or similar ? Just a thought P, but could it be pollen from the rape. Our area is currently covered in the stuff and everyone is sneezing.   "Life is Short - Forgive Quickly - Love Truly - Laugh Uncontrollably"    Report

28/04/2008, 8:59 Jonzjob Joined on 23/08/2004 Nr Carcassonne, 11 Posts 2,533 Re: Dust mites or similar ? Blimey BB, I know that they have GMed rape, but have they got it to move as well now. Soon won't need bees if they have John. The only difference between the men & the boys is the size & the shape & the price of their toys!!    Report

28/04/2008, 9:04 Bugbear Joined on 15/11/2006 Vienne (86) Posts 3,518 Re: Dust mites or similar ? We are totally surrounded by the stuff, it's pretty to look at but doesn't smell particularly nice and the pollen gets everywhere. We were told to eat local honey as a way of building up a resistance to the rape pollen. It definately seems to work, but it must be local stuff. "Life is Short - Forgive Quickly - Love Truly - Laugh Uncontrollably"    Report

28/04/2008, 9:41 Pixie Toadstool Joined on 11/09/2007 Manche/Hampshire Posts 70 Re: Dust mites or similar ?  Puzzled wrote: I woke up in the middle of the night having a streaming nose and a sneezing fit -  and it's not hayfever. This morning I noticed on a book by my bed a teeny little white mite - it was smaller than a fullstop but I noticed it was moving. I have checked and dust mites are apparently invisible to the naked eye, so it's not them. I have dusted and used special wet cloths for wooden parquet flooring but can anyone recommend any spray or plug in thingy that will kill them please. What you saw on the book was a book mite - I know because I am allergic to them and you certainly can see them with the naked eye - little white things as you say (not dust mites - not the same).  If I get close to old books I sneeze and if I get close to lots of them my nose runs and I get wheals all over my body.  Best to get rid of any old books you have - that works for me!  Or at least get them out of your bedroom! Pix    Report

28/04/2008, 9:56 Russethouse Joined on 23/08/2004 Forum Moderator Posts 9,508 Re: Dust mites or similar ? I'm allergic to tree pollen, maybe you are too ? Lots of trees seem to be in flower at present. www.quimperclub.org 99    Report

28/04/2008, 13:48 Puzzled Joined on 05/10/2006 Posts 372 Re: Dust mites or similar ? Thanks everyone; I do get hayfever sneezes but usually only form rape plants and thankfully they are not being grown locally this year. I do have lots of old books so I have given them a good dust and try and keep on top of the dust a bit more . I know I should throw my duvet out the window everyday, I just can't bring myself to do it.    Report

28/04/2008, 14:29 Pixie Toadstool Joined on 11/09/2007 Manche/Hampshire Posts 70 Re: Dust mites or similar ? It's no good just dusting the books - you will need to eradicate the little critters which will be inside the book's pages as well on the outside and in the binding.  Apparently a good way of doing this is to  microwave the books (I don't know for how long or the wattage but a google search may yield results).  I would also advise you to get them out of your bedroom as the allergans (usually the book mite faeces) will still be there even after a good microwaving!). I realised I had an allergy when we moved house and I had to put my husband's antique book collection back on the shelves (the movers had packed them).  I was in a very sorry state for a day or two and looking back I think I probably developed an allergy when I was sanding down yards and yards of antique pine panelling a year or two earlier (the mites live on old wood/paper - same base). Hope this helps! Pix    Report

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