You probably remember from biology or health class that our ears produce wax to help keep insects and other “creepy-crawlies” out. Ear wax is also a very mild insecticide as well as repellent.
Nearly all insects that are able to enter the ear accidentally or on purpose, are harmless, however uncomfortable they may feel. This is also the the case for the infamous “Earwig”, that, according to an old wives tale, crawls into your ears at night while you are sleeping.
The one exception to the “harmless insect theory” is the Japanese Beetle. It is the only insect that I’m aware of that is able to work it’s way into a person’s ear (nearly always by accident) and cause serious damage.
Now, I don’t want to add one more thing to the list of things for Moms to worry about, but, Japanese Beetles are known to have entered people’s ear canals and chewed through their eardrum!
Apparently, our natural ear defences are useless against these miserable pests.
The chances of one of these beetles getting into your ear is probably one-in-a-million, but if you do get a Japanese Beetle in your ear, you better call for medical help immediately!
Bob