Ear mites and more A small amount of wax in your kitten's ears is perfectly normal and can easily be cleaned out with a little mineral oil, a little water or rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball or swab. You need to see your veterinarian to be sure that it is ear mites you are dealing with and, if so, effective therapy.
Ear mites are common in shelter pets, and are very contagious.
Ticks Your kitten can pick up ticks in his rambles and usually dispenses with them himself while grooming, but occasionally you find one of the blood-sucking beasties in a place your cat can't get to easily, such as at the base of his ear. You probably feel the tick first as a bump while petting your cat and see it as a dark attachment. Don't touch a tick with your bare fingers. Ticks can infect you with Lyme disease if you're bitten and the tick attaches itself. Use a glove, tweezers, or a tick remover.