cigolott at nbnet.nb.ca wrote:
>> 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.
I didn't think anybody advocated boiling clothes any more.
Gary
--
********************************************************
Dr Gary Lum
Director of Microbiology
Royal Darwin Hospital
Microbiologists do it with culture and sensitivity
Meet me at http://www.ozemail.com.au/~glum/index.html
E-mail me at glum at ozemail.com.au or gary.lum at nt.gov.au
