'The Dirt' on Dust Mites. To get rid of these tiny creatures in your home, keep in mind their living habits. They prefer temperatures of 70 F or higher and humidity of 75% to 80%. They can't survive in colder, drier places. In the U.S., dust mite allergies peak in July and August, when dust mite populations are high because of warm weather. Dust mites like to eat dead skin from pets and humans. You probably shed enough skin a day to feed a million dust mites.