Survival of the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae, at high temperatures (40-80°C)

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the survival time of randomly selected female D. farinae exposed to temperatures from 40 to 80 degrees C and relative humidities (RHs) between 10 and 90%. Significant temperature effects were found on the length of time mites can survive under those conditions. The time needed to induce 100% mortality for female D. farinae held at 40 degrees C varied between 39 and 84 h. At 70 and 80 degrees C, all mites died within 5 minutes. At 50 degrees C and above, RH had little influence and temperature alone was the determining factor for mile survival. The length of survival time decreased precipitously between 40 and 50 degrees C, suggesting that a loss of physiological integrity of female D, farinae probably occurred in this range. The results of this stud; indicated that the technique of raising temperatures to above 40 degrees C for a short duration can be used to reduce living house dust mite populations in homes significantly.