Effect of a commercial air ionizer on dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae(Acari:Pyroglyphidae) in the laboratory

for exposure in simulated mattress was 956 hours or 39.8 days for D.pteronyssinus and 403 hours or 16.8 days for D.farinae.Conclusions:This study demonstrates the increasing mite mortalities with increasing exposure time of a commercial ionizer and suggests that negative ions produced by an ionizer kill dust mites and can be used to reduce natural mile populations on exposed surfaces such as floors,clothes,curtains,etc.However,there is reduced efficacy on mites inside stuffed materials as in mattresses and furniture.