House dust mite counts in different types of mattresses, sheepskins and carpets, and a comparison of brushing and vacuuming collection methods

Mite counts were compared in dust from three types of mattresses. Foam rubber mattresses appear preferable for mite sensitive atopic subjects; the surface of kapok mattresses averaged twice, and innerspring mattresses three times, the number of mites per square metre found on foam rubber mattresses (P less than 0.01). Sheepskins used for infant bedding were also found to be heavily infested, harbouring as many mites per square metre as bedroom carpet. Mite collections are best made with vacuum sampling methods in preference to a brush and results are best expressed in mites/m2.