Not necessarily to prevent, but to treat. Clean the ears out gently with a cotton swab soaked in mineral oil, two or three times a day for at least two weeks.

There are a variety of herbal concoctions which you can make. Also, the simplest remedy in my opinion is to apply an enzyme solution. One is "Flea-B-Gone" or "Lice-B-Gone". Go to www.safe2use.com for some great information on a variety of subjects and natural remedies and natural pest control. The enzymes really help to control mites on animals and on people or in the house. Just so you know, mites are all around. There are just different types. Example: Paper mites in old records buildings will give the itches to the employees wearing pantyhose. There are mites on your dead skin cells. Anyway, the enzyme is non-toxic and works well with my four dogs. Their dog food has d.e. (diatomaceous earth) in it as a health additive which helps to reduce pest problems. Feeding just a very little garlic to your dogs can help...go easy. A natural apple cider vinegar with the "mother" (not the dyed apple cider vinegar) is good to clean out their ears with or a teaspoon in their water bowl on occasion. To their water, I also occasionally put in a drop of Grapefruit Seed Extract or a drop of a Black Walnut/Wormwood tincture to handle internal parasites. It seems to help with external parasites also. [I live next to a creek and woods - no flea or bug problem.] Some sprays of herbal plants which you can make just by grinding the plant in a blender include garlic or mint or bazil or cloves. There are many others. Just go mild. And there are some plants or foods which you want to keep away from dogs such as grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, coffee. Orange oil is super to use. Dilute it to about two ounces to a quart with a tad of liquid soap (not the antibacterial type). This spray is a great cleaner and general use insecticide and non-toxic and smells great!