Understanding the Ear Mite Life Cycle: Symptoms & Treatment

Ear mites, or Psoroptes cuniculi, can be a real problem for pet owners, as they can cause stress and discomfort for pets. These creatures are arachnids, like spiders. Like insects, mites have life cycles in which they morph into different body types at each stage. The entire life cycle of an ear mite spans about 21 days.

Egg

• Like insects, mites start out as eggs. Mites lay their eggs in the ear wax and dead skin of animals.

Larva

• After about four days, the eggs hatch into larvae. Mite larvae have six legs and will remain in this stage for four days before they begin to molt.

Protonymph

• After molting for 3 to 10 days, the larvae become eight-legged protonymphs.

Adult

• The protonymph molts into an adult mite, which can then mate and lay eggs.

Death

• After about 21 days, the adult mite dies.