Disinfecting your home for mites is not as easy as vacuuming and washing your dogs bed. Mites can live in the environment for up to several days and may lay eggs in your carpet, upholstery, and clothing. In addition to performing a thorough cleaning, you need to separate your infected dog from the environment to prevent recontamination after youve finished cleaning. Consider these home remedies to decontaminate all surfaces.
Wash all bedding, pillows, towels, clothes, and stuffed toys that your dog may have come into contact with within the last several days. Use hot water and dry all items on the highest/hottest dryer setting.
Seal any items you cannot wash in a bag or container and keep these in a garage or similar area for at least five to seven days. You can also place the sealed container in the freezer for at least 12 to 24 hours.
Soak any dog grooming tools in a diluted bleach solution for 10 minutes and rinse.
Wash collars, leashes, and harnesses in hot, soapy water.
Vacuum and wash floors and household surfaces with hot, soapy water or any standard disinfectant solution.
Thoroughly vacuum all carpets, then use a steam cleaner set to 130 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Repeat this process weekly for at least two treatments to eradicate all mites.
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How to Protect Yourself from Mange
Once your dog has been diagnosed with mange, your vet will develop a treatment plan for them. You might be required to apply ointment, give them baths, or take them to the vet office for treatments. Within a week of beginning treatment, any type of handling can expose you to the mites. Make sure to keep your infected dog away from areas youve cleaned as much as possible to prevent recontaminating your home, even as you are performing treatment. Protect yourself and other pets in the house with these measures.
Wear gloves when handling your pet for at least five to seven days after starting treatment for the mites.
Use protective clothing, such as shirts with long sleeves, then change and wash up immediately afterward.
Wash your hands thoroughly after any handling or cleaning.
Quarantine your pet in a separate room (a bathroom or room without carpet is usually best) for at least five to seven days following their first treatment.
Keep other pets separated and monitor them for any signs of infection.
Disinfect all bedding, grooming tools, toys, and apparel your dog has come into contact with.
Decontaminate the interior of your home.
There are several types of mites that can affect dogs. While some are zoonotic, meaning they can spread to humans, others are dog-specific.
Demodex mites. Demodex is a mite that naturally lives on the hair follicles of dogs in small numbers. However, when a dogs immune system is weak and unable to keep the number of Demodex in check, an overgrowth of Demodex can occur, leading to mange. Demodectic mange is not contagious to humans or even other pets. If you know for certain that this is the type of mange your dog has, its not necessary to wear protective gear or disinfect your home, though its never a bad idea to do so.
Sarcoptes mites. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious to people and animals and is spread through skin-to-skin contact or direct contact with contaminated surfaces. These mites burrow under the skin and cause severe itching. While humans are not the ideal host for the mite species, you can develop itchy, uncomfortable symptoms similar to scabies. Wear personal protective equipment while handling a pet with sarcoptic mange and treat your entire household and outside environment.
Ear mites. Some dog mites, such as Otodectes cyntois, only inhabit the ears. These parasites can be transferred to other dogs, though its unlikely for humans to get them. Still, ear mites can thrive in the environment for several days, so its important to decontaminate your home to prevent reinfection and keep any other pets safe.
Cheyletiella mites. Though less common than other types of mites, Cheyletiella yasguri, known as “walking dandruff,” is very contagious to other mammals. Dogs with this parasite usually present with severely flakey, itchy skin. This mite can live off its host (your dog) and in the environment for several days, so you must treat your entire home and protect yourself from exposure.
How do I know if my dog has mites?
Some of the symptoms you dog may have mites include:
Hair loss (either in patches, or all over their coat)
Dandruff
Excessive scratching
Visible irritation, such as red skin
Crusty patches of skin
You may be even able to spot the mites on their skin by parting the fur and looking closely
Secondary infections, either bacterial or fungal infections
Treating A Dog With Mites | Critter Fixers, Country Vets
Mites are among the most widespread creatures on the planet, but because of their miniscule stature, they largely go unnoticed – until they cause problems.
The majority of mites species are harmless to humans, but some mites can cause allergic reactions and even make you sick. When mites do become a problem, and particularly for people who are highly allergic, its crucial to get rid of mites. But how?!
Read on to learn how to get rid of mites in 5 steps – affordably, quickly and effectively.
If you find that you have an on-going problem with mites and the mite treatments you’ve tried are failing, it may be time to make some changes in your house. Keep in mind that making a building truly uninhabitable to mites will require some structural changes, and that can cost money.
If you find the problem is reoccurring, consider replacing carpets with wood or tile floors. In fact, if you suffer from dust mite allergies, you should consider removing as much fabric as possible. Take down long drapes and curtains, remove area rugs, and do without fabric wall hangings. You might also think about replacing all your bedding with synthetic materials. In other words, deny the mites their beloved habitat.
Of course, preventing mite infestations should an on-going concern, so remain vigilant and be ready-to-act immediately should those pesky mites return.