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Can't see the dust mites?ÌýClick here to watch the film.

In the latest of his Sleep Watch films Michael Mosley met Rob - he often struggles to get to sleep because his asthma flares up when he goes to bed.Ìý

When expert Gary FarronÌýtakes a sample from Rob's bed it revealsÌýflakes of dead skin.

Look closer at the flakes and they're seen to contain dust mites. Five thousand could fit on the head of a pin. Each of us shares our bed with approximately 2.5million dust mites. For asthma sufferers this can be a serious problem as dust mite excrement can trigger inflammatory responses.Ìý

So, how to ? Here are some tips:

•ÌýUse complete barrier covering systems on your mattress, duvet and pillow.
•ÌýRemove all carpets and replace with hard flooring.
•ÌýVacuum all areas frequently. Use a vacuum cleaner that has good suction and a filtered exhaust that does not scatter dust. Damp dust all surfaces or use an attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Be sure to vacuum your curtains.
•ÌýRemove all soft toys from beds. Put them into a bag in the freezer for a minimum of six hours every one to two weeks to kill house-dust mites.
•ÌýHot wash (at 60 degrees C) sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases once a week. Although some people are allergic to feathers, there is no conclusive evidence to show that synthetic, 'hypo-allergenic' pillows are any better.
•ÌýClean your soft furnishings with anti-house-dust mite chemicals.
•ÌýUse a dehumidifier to dry the air, as this makes it more difficult for the house-dust mites to survive.

Do you have dust mite banishing tips? Are dust mites a problem in your household?