Does Sprinkling Powder on Mattress Help Get Rid of Dust Mites?

Dust Mites

• Dust mites are tiny eight-legged insects that live in most homes. They do not bite humans, but they can trigger allergic reactions in people, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Powder

• Powdered acaricides containing benzoic or tannic acid can be sprinkled on a mattress to kill dust mites living inside of it. These powders are used in Europe more than in the United States, according to "Indoor Environmental Quality."

Considerations

• There is a risk that sprinkling acaricidal powders on a mattress will get rid of dust mites but will also worsen a person's allergies. Thoroughly vacuuming a mattress and keeping a home free from dust can also help.