How to Get Rid of Ear Mites

Ear mites, also known as winged beetles, can be a nuisance but are completely treatable. While these pests are generally harmless, they feed on plant leaves, cause wood decay, and inflict other types of damage. They thrive in humid conditions, whether in your garden or in damp corners inside your home. You can directly target these pests using either natural insecticides or chemical solutions, and prevent their return by safeguarding your home and garden.

Use a dish soap and water mixture if you prefer not to use pesticides. Fill a spray bottle with warm water, add a few drops of dish soap, and shake gently to create a soapy solution. Spray the mixture on plant leaves to eliminate ear mites, and dampen the corners of your house and garden where they are found.

• Repeat this process every time you find ear mites inside or around your home.

Prepare a rubbing alcohol-based solution for quick results in killing ear mites. Mix equal parts alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Directly spray onto the ear mites when spotted. The alcohol will penetrate the waxy shell of the ear mites and kill them instantly.

Sprinkle boric acid powder in hard-to-reach spots to eliminate ear mites. Boric acid is a natural insecticide that kills ear mites on contact. Sprinkle the powder in areas where ear mites may crawl, such as along baseboards. Keep it out of reach of children and pets, as boric acid can be harmful upon contact.

• Purchase boric acid at hardware stores or online.
• Use an appropriate amount and ensure it's placed where children and pets can't access it.
• You can also sprinkle boric acid around wood piles or damp garden corners to target ear mites.

Create an outdoor ear mite trap at night. Mix four parts warm water with one part dish soap and stir until the mixture foams. Place the bucket outside with a light shining over the soapy water. The ear mites will be attracted to the light and drown in the soapy water.

Make a trap using soy sauce and cooking oil to catch and kill ear mites. Mix equal parts soy sauce and olive oil or vegetable oil in a plastic container. Punch several holes, about 0.6 cm in diameter, in the lid and seal the container. The scent of the mixture will lure ear mites, which will enter and drown.

• Fill the trap about 2.5 cm deep with the mixture.
• If setting the trap in the garden, bury the container up to the lid in the ground.

Use a vacuum cleaner to target areas where ear mites have gathered. Vacuum up as many ear mites as possible, cleaning the area to remove any eggs. Dispose of the vacuum bag if possible, or empty it into a bucket of soapy water to kill the ear mites.

• Prepare the vacuum cleaner before approaching the mites to prevent them from scattering.

Attract birds to your garden for natural ear mite control. Birds are natural predators of ear mites. You can invite birds to your garden by setting up bird feeders or birdbaths to make your garden more attractive. You can also plant berry bushes to entice the birds to visit.

Sprinkle ear mite pesticide 2-3 meters away from your house. There are many granular pesticides specially formulated to target ear mites. Sprinkle one of these pesticides over the grassy areas in your garden, about 2-3 meters from your house. Water the grass immediately after applying the pesticide so it can soak into the soil, where the ear mites typically lay their eggs.

Repair any holes in window screens to prevent ear mites from entering your home. Ear mites can sneak into your house through tiny gaps in window screens. Use super adhesive glue to seal any small holes or tears in the screen. For gaps larger than 2.5 cm, use strong adhesive to apply patching pieces.

• If the screen is severely damaged, you may need to replace it to block pests from entering your home.

Use caulk to fill cracks and gaps near your home’s entryways. Ear mites often find their way into the house through small cracks around doors and windows. Use a caulking gun to seal up any small gaps in these areas. Perform this maintenance annually to keep insects from entering your home.

Repair any leaking faucets or drainage areas inside and around your home. Humidity is the ideal condition for ear mites to thrive and reproduce. You should address this by checking water sources in your bathroom, kitchen, basement, and outside the house to ensure no leaks. You can either fix the leaking pipes yourself or call a plumber for assistance.

Use sodium lamps instead of regular outdoor lighting. Most regular bulbs emit blue wavelengths that attract ear mites. Sodium lamps, commonly used in agriculture for seed planting, emit a more yellow light. You should replace the regular bulbs in hallways or around windows with sodium bulbs.

• Purchase sodium bulbs from home improvement stores or online.