Road test: Ventia rapid allergen test

IT’S a kit that tests your home for dust mites. But do you really want to know?

Dust mite, artwork TWAM 140607

WHAT is it?

A kit that tests your home for dust mites.

They sound cute. These tiny creatures, 0.25mm long, look like sci-fi monster crabs in a microscope. They eat shedded human skin scales, and their faeces are linked to allergic reactions including asthma and eczema. They’re adorable!

How does the kit work? It looks like a cheap chemistry set. You collect household dust, mix it with a mystery liquid then pour droplets onto a device that resembles a pregnancy kit. The appearance of a dark line after 10 minutes isn’t a cue for tears of joy, however. It means you’ve got a mite problem.

And then what? You can either address this shameful state of affairs with a rigorous cleaning regime – or sweep it under the carpet, along with all the other muck.

Around $70, widely available