You can’t see them, but these pesky creatures are known to trigger allergies and worsen asthma this season. We’re talking about dust mites, and while they can still show up in your home despite regular cleaning, there are tips and tricks to keep them away. David Chapman, founder of custom logo mat company Ultimate Mats, has shared his expert tips with Home & Texture to ensure that you have an allergen-free summer.

Increase sunlight in the home.

A quick way to kill dust mites is to ensure they’re exposed to enough sunlight. The sun dehydrates and heats up quickly, making it difficult for dust mites to reproduce. Another easy thing you can do is to ensure that your home is well-ventilated. Fresh air removes moist air, which dust mites thrive in. Keep your windows open this summer to allow air and natural light into your home.

Steam your upholstery.

Dust mites live for the dead skin cells, pollen, and dander that are often found in upholstery fibers. Steam cleaning your upholstery will remove hypoallergenic particles while improving the air quality in your home. The high temperature of the steam is great for killing dust mites and their eggs. Get rid of their food source by vacuuming or steam cleaning.

Use dehumidifiers.

Dust mites thrive in humid environments. Remove the excess moisture from the air to get rid of these annoying creatures.

Declutter.

A decluttered home is a dust-mite-free home. Dust mites love cluttered spaces with piles of clothing, stacks of papers, and boxes that they can hide in or between.

Keep pets groomed.

According to Chapman, regularly grooming your pet helps to remove loose fur, dander, and dead skin, which dust mites like to feed on. Make sure to keep your pets clean and dry to keep the moisture levels in your home as low as possible.

Have an entrance mat.

Entrance mats are great for trapping outdoor elements such as pollen, dust, and dirt so that they do not enter the home. Preventing these allergens from entering your space can help reduce dust mite infestations. Remember to wash or vacuum your entrance mat regularly to prevent the buildup of allergens.

Use dust mite repellent.

Essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree oil, and lavender naturally repel dust mites. You can use these oils in sprays or diffusers to create a scent that repels dust mites. Baking soda is another natural way to absorb odors and remove dust—all you have to do is sprinkle baking soda on surfaces, leave it for a few hours, and then vacuum to remove dust mites.

If you prefer a less natural route, there are anti-allergen and dust mite cleaning sprays for carpets, upholstery, and bedding. Repellents are intended as a temporary solution. Combine repellants with the prevention tips to keep your home dust-mite-free this season.