Ears provide easy access for small insects and bugs to enter the ear canal. While most will not purposefully crawl into your ear, it can happen accidentally. Bug species that are prone to becoming lodged in ears include:
Cockroaches
Cockroaches can sometimes crawl into the ear canal in search of food or shelter. Their flat bodies allow them to squeeze into tight spaces. Cases of cockroaches in the ear are not common but can occur, especially at night when roaches are most active.
Flies
Flies are drawn to the moisture and warmth inside the ear canal. They may accidentally fly or crawl into the ears. Species that have been known to enter ears include houseflies, horseflies, and fruit flies.
Bed bugs
Bed bugs feed on the blood of humans while they sleep. When their hiding spots become overcrowded, some bugs may wander and find their way into the ear canal in search of blood vessels to bite.
Ants
Some ant species are attracted to sweet secretions produced by glands in the outer ear canal. They may enter the ears in search of this sugary substance. Small ants such as thief ants and pharaoh ants are more likely to fit inside the ear.
Spiders
Accidentally walking or crawling into the ear opening is the most common reason spiders end up lodged inside ears. Species small enough to fit include cellar spiders, jumping spiders, and cobweb spiders.
Ticks
Ticks can find their way into the ears while wandering on the skin around the head. Once inside, they may attach and begin feeding on blood from the ear canal lining. Tick species that can fit inside the ear include deer ticks, dog ticks, and seed ticks.
Mites
Microscopic mites can make their way into the ear canal searching for food sources like dead skin, debris, or earwax. Mite species associated with ear infestations include dust mites, rodent mites, and bird mites.
Fleas
Fleas may jump, fly, or crawl into the ears while moving around the body and head. Cat fleas are a common offender. The larvae can also spread to the ears while maturing in carpet and bedding.
Lice
Head lice live and feed on the scalp but can migrate into the ears. Both adult lice and newly hatched nymphs are small enough to fit inside the ear canal where they may attach and feed on blood.
Beetles
Certain small beetle species can become trapped in the ears by accident. These include cigarette beetles, drugstore beetles, bread beetles, and varied carpet beetles. The larvae of these beetles are even more likely to fit in the ear.
Earwigs
Despite the name, earwigs do not intentionally enter human ears. However, they may accidentally crawl or fly inside where they become stuck. Once inside, they may try biting with their pincers in self-defense.
Risks of Bugs in Ears
While a bug in the ear may seem harmless, it can actually cause problems if left untreated. Potential risks and complications include:
- Damage to ear structures – Bugs may bite, sting, burrow, or build nests, causing injury and infection.
- Hearing loss – Bugs can interfere with sound transmission and the eardrum’s vibration.
- Pain – Bites, stings, scratches, and movements cause irritation and discomfort.
- Inflammation – Bugs and their waste trigger swelling, redness, and fluid buildup.
- Bleeding – Certain bugs attack blood vessels and cause bleeding in the ear canal.
- Infection – Bacteria brought inside by bugs can multiply, spreading difficult infections.
- Allergic reaction – Allergens from stings, bites, and body secretions may trigger reactions.
- Dizziness and nausea – Inner ear disturbances and inflammation can affect balance and cause vertigo.
Signs of Bugs in Ears
The most common signs and symptoms of bugs trapped in the ears include:
- Itching and irritation in the ear
- Ticking, buzzing, crawling, or fluttering sensations
- Sharp pain from bites or stings
- Fluid drainage or bleeding from the ear
- Redness, swelling, or inflammation of the ear canal
- Visible insect legs, antennae, or wings present
- Crusting, lesions, or scratches inside the ear
- Muffled hearing or ringing noises
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Coughing, gagging, or vomiting from irritation
Removing Bugs from Ears
If you suspect a bug is lodged in your ear, follow these steps:
- Stay calm to keep the bug still – sudden movements may cause it to burrow deeper.
- Tilt the affected ear down to improve drainage and gravity.
- Fill the ear canal with warm mineral oil, olive oil, or baby oil to suffocate and float out the bug.
- Use an eyedropper to apply the oil. Do NOT use cotton swabs which can push the bug in deeper.
- After a few minutes, turn your head and let the oil drain out along with hopefully the bug.
- Repeat as needed until the bug is removed.
- See a doctor right away if pain worsens, hearing loss occurs, or you can’t remove the bug.
Preventing Bugs in Ears
You can reduce the chances of bugs crawling or flying into your ears by taking these preventative steps:
- Use window and door screens to limit bugs getting indoors.
- Avoid exposing ears during activities like mowing or hiking.
- Keep ears covered with hats, scarves, headbands or earmuffs.
- Apply insect repellent around the ears before going outdoors.
- Shake out clothing, shoes, towels, and bedding before use.
- Don’t sleep directly on floors, lawns, or dirt.
- Get rid of indoor insect habitats like clutter, leaks, and standing water.
- Keep food sealed and surfaces clean to deter roaches and ants.
- Treat pets and home regularly for fleas.
- Plug ears with cotton balls coated in petroleum jelly for added protection.
Treating an Ear Infested with Bugs
If an ear bug problem persists, medical treatment is recommended to fully eliminate the infestation and prevent complications. Treatment steps may involve:
- Ear exam – The doctor will use an otoscope to inspect for bugs still present.
- Ear wash – A saline solution will be used to flush out bugs and debris.
- Medicated ear drops – Antibiotic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, or anesthetic drops treat pain and infection.
- Oral antibiotics – Prescription antibiotic pills may be given for severe bacterial infections.
- Cotton packing – Packing the ear canal with cotton can smother and remove remaining bugs.
- Manual removal – Using special tools, the doctor may remove intact bugs, nests, or other material.
- Repeat flushing – Repeated flushing over days helps ensure complete bug elimination.
Severe cases may require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics or surgery to repair damage caused by the infestation.
When to See a Doctor
You should seek medical care right away if:
- Pain worsens or persists more than a few hours
- Hearing loss, ringing, or dizziness occurs
- Bleeding or fluid drains from the ear
- You are unable to fully remove the bug at home
- Symptoms like swelling, itching, or redness get worse
- You develop fever, headache, or increased discomfort
Leaving bugs trapped in the ear increases the risks of permanent damage. Seeking prompt medical treatment provides the best chance for a full recovery.
When to Call an Exterminator
If certain bugs like roaches, fleas, mites, or ticks repeatedly get in your ears, it may signal a larger infestation on your property. Calling a pest control professional is advisable in these situations to fully eliminate the bug problem at its source and prevent reoccurrence.
Signs that a professional exterminator should be brought in include:
- Seeing roaches around your home, especially in kitchens and bathrooms
- Noticing flea bites or flea dirt on pets and humans in the household
- Having previous problems with bed bugs in beds, furniture, and bedroom carpets
- Observing ants frequently trailing indoors along baseboards, counters, or walls
- Catching multiple spiders, earwigs, or beetles inside your home
- Suffering from recurring itchy welts suggestive of mites
Professional pest control involves inspecting for infestation sources, treating hiding and breeding spots, applying residual chemicals if needed, and implementing preventative measures to keep pests out long-term.
Conclusion
Bugs represent one of the more unpleasant and alarming objects that can become lodged in the ear canal. However, even this scenario can often be resolved at home with some basic first aid. Seeking medical help promptly is important if attempts to remove the bug fail or if worrisome symptoms develop. Preventing infestations through good hygiene and pest control helps reduce the chances of bugs accidentally crawling where they don’t belong.