Assessment and control of house dust mite infestation.

Most allergens of the house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae) are carried by the mite excreta rather than by the mites themselves. A method of assessing the concentration of mite excreta in dust (the Acarex test) is described. The effects of Acarosan products, whose active ingredient is solidified benzyl benzoate, on mites and mite excreta were evaluated. Over a period of three years, three to four applications of Acarosan effectively destroyed mites in carpets, upholstery, and mattresses, as assessed by the measure of mite excreta and a count of live mites.