In message
<Pine.OSF.3.93.970317225830.7416A-100000 at lionfish.jcu.edu.au
> - Richard.Speare at jcu.edu.au (Richard Speare) writes:
>>> 3. What's the minimum temperature for washing clothes, that will
>> definitely kill the mite?
snipped
>_Sarcoptes scabiei_ is a very sensitive creature. I'm sure any sort of
>washing will kill it. I would expect one cycle in a washing machine in
>cold water would kill all mites. However, no work has been done on this.
>Any heat over 37C would increase the efficacy of this killing.
>> 4. How long can the mite survive away from the human body? (for
>> instance, on clothes that can only have a cool wash, or on upholstery
>> etc. that can't be washed and would have to be "quarantined".)
>>The mites are fragile.
In the old days, this type of parasite eradication included
boiling clothes. Most likely a hot enough temp would do them
in.....there remains the question of the eggs.
Could a hot steam bath have some effect on the corporeal
variety?
just a few reflections
regards
tom c.
