Dust mites aren't something out of a science fiction novel. These indoor pests are an indoor air quality and health nuisance

What are dust mites and how can you get rid of them? Experts weigh in

We don’t always have the answers, but we have some people on speed dial who do — which is why we present to you our series FYI where we have experts explain if lip balm is actually bad, how often should you wash your hair and more.

When you wake up in the morning and get out of bed, you may love immediately making it — after all, it’s one easy thing to check off the to-do list. But experts actually say that doing this may create the perfect environment for dust mites. Not familiar with these tiny creatures? They can live in your home and, according to research published in the National Library of Medicine, up to 20 million people in the United States deal with dust mite allergies.

Dust mites loves warm places, which makes your pillows or mattress particularly appealing to them — especially if you lock in the warmth your body heat created throughout the night by making your bed first thing.

To help you determine if you’re at risk for having dust mites, we asked allergy experts to explain what exactly they are, how to determine if you have them and what to do if you do.

What are dust mites?

Though it sounds like a type of dirt or debris, dust mites are actually living things. “Dust mites are a microscopic insect-like species that belong to the arachnid family, along with spiders and ticks,” says Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert and founder of HomeCleanse. “They are invisible to the naked eye and often live within household dust, eating organic matter such as skin cells and pollen.”

Read More Here: https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/what-are-dust-mites-rcna189429