• Welcome to Phoenix Rising!

    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of and finding treatments for complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

    To become a member, simply click the Register button at the top right.

Dust and the creatures that live in it

u&iraok

Senior Member
Messages
427
Location
U.S.
Okay, so we decided to have the air conditioning ducts in our house cleaned because who knows how much dust and possibly mold or who knows what is in the ducts of a house built in 1968 that surely never had this done. It was $300 to clean our 1200 square foot house. Good thing we did because there was a very thick layer of dust numerous inches thick and 'stuff' and a little mold in the ducts.

I could tell the air was cleaner when it was done.

But then I felt that something just wasn't right because I was coughing and felt like something was in my throat and just felt like something was wrong. I asked if they used any chemicals to clean the ducts. No, just suction.

So I looked under my bed and saw that the dust had accumulated under there again. I also seemed to have gotten bitten by something on my arm, seems like a spider and brown recluse spiders around her are very poisonous and scary. My husband went to do a thorough vacuuming under the bed and he found layers of dust and tons of eggs and larvae of who knows what creature! How absolutely horrifying!!! Dust mites are bad enough.

I store stuff under my bed such as my wedding dress, handbags. etc. Not anymore.

It turns out the 'bite' on my arm is probably poison ivy that got into a mosquito bite but all I can say is, if you can, please vacuum under your bed or get someone to do it! Aaaghh! Ugh! Bleh! Cough cough!
 

u&iraok

Senior Member
Messages
427
Location
U.S.
Well, I found out that they were moth eggs and larvae. We had been having moths and we couldn't figure out where they were coming from until we had the ducts cleaned and a bunch of them flew out of each vent when they removed the vent covers.

A few years ago someone here said that they lay in bed watching the dust bunnies tumble across the floor and that really stuck with me because I had learned that dust is not good for you. I always just thought it was innocuous bits of stuff. And I felt bad for whoever that was and others here who do not have the energy to clean.

Info on dust:

The distinct dust mix in any home will vary based on climate, age of the domicle and the number of people who live in it — not to mention the occupants' habits. But nearly everywhere, dust consists of some blend of shed bits of human skin, animal fur, decomposing insects, food debris, lint and fibers from clothes, bedding and other fabrics, tracked-in soil, soot, particulate matter from smoking and cooking, lead, arsenic, pesticides, and even DDT.
A groundbreaking study by the Silent Spring Institute found 66 hormone-disrupting chemicals, including flame retardants, home-use pesticides and phthalates, in household dust.
Meanwhile, an EPA study, reported in Environmental Science & Technology, provided proof that pesticides can be tracked into residences on shoes. People and pets who walk on pesticide-treated lawns can pick up pesticides like the herbicide 2,4-D, for up to a week after application. The study found that “track-in” exposures of pesticides may exceed those from pesticide residues on non-organic fresh fruits and vegetables.
It's enough to want to make a person live in a bubble. Or get religious with the Endust and Mop & Glo. But that's no answer, given that some of the most popular dusting and mopping products score so miserably in terms of toxins of their own.
So, here's a dust action plan, as devised by Environmental Working Group (EWG), to wrangle those bunnies and otherwise decimate the dust:
  • Vacuum frequently with a machine with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. These vacuums are more efficient at trapping small particles and can remove contaminants and other allergens that a regular vacuum would recirculate into the air. Change the filter often, and don’t forget to vacuum the stuffed furniture (get under those couch cushions).
  • Wet mop uncarpeted floors frequently to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating (dry mopping can kick up dust). Buy wooden furniture or furniture filled with down, wool, polyester or cotton. These are unlikely to contain fire retardant chemicals.
  • Wipe furniture with a microfiber or damp cotton cloth. Skip synthetic sprays and wipes when you dust – they only add unwanted chemicals.
  • Caulk and seal cracks and crevices to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating in hard-to-reach places.
  • Equip a forced-air heating or cooling system with high-quality filters and change them frequently.
  • Avoid ozone air purifiers – ozone irritates lungs and does not remove dust or other airborne particles.
  • Pay special attention to places where little kids crawl, sit and play. They live closest to the floor and are exposed to those toxic dust bunnies.
(And to which I add the obvious: Remove your shoes before entering the home!)
http://www.treehugger.com/cleaning-organizing/danger-dust-bunnies.html
 

justy

Donate Advocate Demonstrate
Messages
5,524
Location
U.K
I have a SEVERE allergy to dust and I do all the measures above, although I cant manage to keep the whole house this clean I do clean my bedroom this thoroughly every week, and hoover under the bed.

We bought a new HEPA filter vacuum cleaner and a homedix air filter. I also always use a Vogmask when cleaning or if I am able to hoover or dust - or if someone else is and my reactions and lung irritation has reduced considerably with these measures.
 

Invisible Woman

Senior Member
Messages
1,267
If you have a good steamer (3 bar or above) then closing the doors and windows in a room and steaming the air and leaving the room closed for 10 mins or so before cleaning can encapsulate particles in the air. They then drop onto surfaces so you'll pick up more allergens and irritants when you dust/hoover the room.
 

u&iraok

Senior Member
Messages
427
Location
U.S.
If you have a good steamer (3 bar or above) then closing the doors and windows in a room and steaming the air and leaving the room closed for 10 mins or so before cleaning can encapsulate particles in the air. They then drop onto surfaces so you'll pick up more allergens and irritants when you dust/hoover the room.

Interesting.

I have a SEVERE allergy to dust and I do all the measures above, although I cant manage to keep the whole house this clean I do clean my bedroom this thoroughly every week, and hoover under the bed.

We bought a new HEPA filter vacuum cleaner and a homedix air filter. I also always use a Vogmask when cleaning or if I am able to hoover or dust - or if someone else is and my reactions and lung irritation has reduced considerably with these measures.

Good ideas. My husband bought me an air filter yesterday for our anniversary. That either shows he knows me or it shows what being a family member to a person with health problems means! He knows I'd rather have that practical contraption than something fru-fru. I hope it works.
 

justy

Donate Advocate Demonstrate
Messages
5,524
Location
U.K
I hope it works.

Yes I love practical gifts as well! I used to find a film of dust on my glass of water by the bed when I woke up everyday - now since having the filter this never happens - just bright clear water. But we live in a rural area with lots of mud in winter and lots of dust in summer. We also have a wood burning stove downstairs and they make a lot of dust and mess, and we have a dog - but he is never allowed upstairs, or on the furniture.
 

u&iraok

Senior Member
Messages
427
Location
U.S.
thumbnail_IMG_20160819_140344.jpg So, it turns out that what I originally thought was a spider bite, then thought was poison ivy, was a spider bite. It seemed so much like poison ivy which is usually much ado about nothing that I ignored it until it started swelling and looking like this! Infection set in and I had to get antibiotics. It's getting better.

My husband said there were a couple of little spiders under the bed and I did kill a large one on the door jamb of my bedroom so I don't know if it was either of these or outdoors where I got the bite. I always feared getting a spider bite and here it is, come true! Nasty dust, nasty insects, nasty spiders!
 

u&iraok

Senior Member
Messages
427
Location
U.S.
One little suggestion I just read--remove the bed skirt from your bed if you have one. It's a way for bugs to climb up into your bed. Otherwise it's difficult for them because the legs on the bed are too slippery.
 

Invisible Woman

Senior Member
Messages
1,267
My sister in law recently horrified me by telling me that each person swallows a certain quantity of insects and spiders over their lifetime (can't remember the figure - was too grossed out!). Apparently, most of it happens while we are asleep.

When I went to bed last night I happened to look up: an empty cobweb on the ceiling above my pillow. Trying not to think where that spider is. Feel a bit sick.:vomit:
 
Messages
2,125
My sister in law recently horrified me by telling me that each person swallows a certain quantity of insects and spiders over their lifetime
Hate to tell you this but .........
"Demodex. Demodex is a genus of tiny parasitic mites that live in or near hair follicles of mammals. Around 65 species of Demodex are known. Two species living on humans have been identified: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, both frequently referred to as eyelash mites."
AND
"Cheese mites are mites that are used to produce such cheeses as Milbenkäse and Mimolette. The action of the living mites on the surface of these cheeses contributes to the flavor and gives them a distinctive appearance". Mmmm!:D
 
Messages
2,125
One little suggestion I just read--remove the bed skirt from your bed if you have one. It's a way for bugs to climb up into your bed. Otherwise it's difficult for them because the legs on the bed are too slippery.
Unless of course you sleep on a futon........then you're ******
 

Invisible Woman

Senior Member
Messages
1,267
Hate to tell you this but .........
"Demodex. Demodex is a genus of tiny parasitic mites that live in or near hair follicles of mammals. Around 65 species of Demodex are known. Two species living on humans have been identified: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, both frequently referred to as eyelash mites."
AND
"Cheese mites are mites that are used to produce such cheeses as Milbenkäse and Mimolette. The action of the living mites on the surface of these cheeses contributes to the flavor and gives them a distinctive appearance". Mmmm!:D

Yeah.

Great!

Thanks for that.

Now I'm all itchy....:aghhh: