Yes, ear mites can live on bedding and furniture for a short time, transferring between pets and potentially to humans through close contact, but they don't survive long without a host animal, so thorough cleaning of pet bedding, toys, and living areas is crucial to prevent reinfestation and spread.
Treat your home
Ear mites can survive in the environment for months so you will need to spray your home, and hot wash pet items such as bedding and grooming equipment.
Ear mites can live 4-6 days without feeding on a host. Since they're microscopic they can be living in your carpet or on your couch. Plus pets are extremely like to be shedding these tiny nightmares if they have an outbreak.
Ear mites primarily live on the host but can survive in the environment for a limited time. Regular washing of bedding in hot water and drying on a high heat setting can help eliminate any mites. For surfaces, using a standard household cleaner should be sufficient.
Apple cider vinegar has natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help eliminate ear mites and soothe the affected area. Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in a bowl. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and gently clean your dog's ears.
Wash bedding in hot water (at least 120 degrees F) once a week. Reduce clutter, stuffed animals, and other places where dust mites live. If that's not possible, wash stuffed animals weekly in hot water (at least 120 degrees) to kill and wash away dust mites.
Results: Washing clothing and bedding in water alone, detergent, or detergent plus bleach removed 60% to 83% of the live mites.
Mite infestations in the human ear on the other hand, is an extremely rare phenomenon [1,6], with a handful reported cases since 1977 [1,6-8]. The most common presenting symptoms are usually itching, otalgia and a foreign body sensation. Otorrhea, evidence of otitis externa and tinnitus are less frequent presentations.
Sign #1: Persistent Allergy Symptoms
If your allergies flare up when you're in bed, mites may be to blame. Sneezing and runny nose are common allergic reactions to dust mite droppings in bedding. Irritated or watery eyes also can be a sign that mite allergens are circulating in your sleep space.
When dead mites build up, they create a telltale greasy or dried-out gunk similar to coffee grounds inside your pet's ears. Black, gray, or red-brown goop in ears: While you may never see a live ear mite, you may spot mounds of dead mites in gooey buildup inside pet ears.
Spread to Other Pets: Ear mites are highly contagious. If you have multiple pets, an untreated infestation in one pet can quickly spread to others, leading to a household-wide problem.
“There are many topical, oral, and systemic agents,” Dr. Miller notes, “and most—such as ivermectin—are highly effective. Even one old-time remedy—baby oil—can do the job. A few drops put into an affected ear several times a day for a month or so will usually smother the mites.”
Other ear issues, such as fungal or bacterial infections, can have symptoms similar to those of ear mite infestations. It's important to seek an accurate diagnosis from a veterinarian to choose a safe and effective treatment option.
Close contact with a pet that is harboring ear mites, such as sharing a bed with your cat or allowing your dog on the furniture, increases the risk of being infected. Ear mites from your pet's ears can travel to your bedding or furniture and attach to other pets or you.
You can gently lift your cat's ear flap and use a flashlight to look for dark, crumbly debris or redness. While this may give you clues, only a veterinarian can confirm ear mites. Petfolk recommends bringing photos of what you see during your visit.
Ear mites are extremely small, making it difficult to spot them. If you use a soft cloth to wipe the dog's ears, you may be able to spot the mites in the residue. They appear as tiny white dots. Some symptoms to look out for are brown or black waxy ear secretions and a strong odor from the ears.
Ear mites are highly contagious and animals become infested by direct contact with another infested animal.
Ear mites are spread by direct contact with another pet that has them or by bedding infected pets have been using. Ear mites can also live for a short period of time in the environment.
Flex 10-10 is a permethrin and PBO-based insecticide concentrate labeled to kill mites and can be safely used indoors on upholstered furniture and carpeting.
These tiny parasites are highly contagious, and are easily transmittable through social interactions, including playing and sleeping together. Ear mites have a life cycle of two months, and during this time, they continue to reproduce.
Duvets with fillings such as feather, down or synthetic fibres are not efficient at moisture wicking. This means the fibres are not able to release any captured moisture into the air whilst you are sleeping, and so the moisture builds up creating the right environment for dust mites to thrive.
Combine Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint or Rosemary oil with water in a spray bottle and spray your bed, linens, and other furniture lightly with a fine mist. Once this mixture air dries, the scent should repel dust mites. Cinnamon bark oil can also be used to help control dust mites as well.
Unless you look through a microscope, you won't see dust mites. These tiny critters feed on the dead skin cells that people and pets shed. They favor warm and moist environments, so they often reside in mattresses, pillows, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpet and rugs.