Allow the soil in potted plants to dry out between waterings. Use a fan or dehumidifier to increase air circulation and dry out the area. Remove wet, moldy wood or other moldy items. Repair water leaks and other moisture problems. Pest Control Technology Magazine suggests the following tips to avoid springtail infestations. Soil, fungi, decaying logs, and under the bark of trees are ideal for springtail breeding. They’re not as common as other pests because they usually don’t seek out humanmade structures for shelter. These pests do not bite, transmit human disease, or cause structural damage to homes and office buildings. Springtails feed on fungi, plat material, and algae. It’s no wonder that people who don’t encounter springtails in their home refer to them as snow fleas. These jumping pests are mistaken for “fleas” because they behave in the same way. They live in leaf litter and soil underneath the snow and look like dirt of black flecks against the white snow when they’re uncovered. One of the ways that you can occasionally see springtails is while you’re shoveling snow. Snow fleas just another name for springtails, which are not fleas at all. Photo courtesy of the Ecological Society of America. Pictured Above: Large clumps of springtails look like black flecks when in the snow. That’s why you can find them where there is water damage within your basement, kitchen, or bathroom. Springtails are found where moisture is prevalent. Although springtails are not destructive and do not cause harm to humans or pets, homeowners find them alarming because of the large numbers that occur seemingly out of nowhere. You’ll know that you have springtails when you see large groups of small dark insects that jump. Springtails are tiny pests that infest moist areas of your home as well as swimming pools, hot tubs, crawl spaces, mulch, and other outdoor areas. Pictured Above: Springtails infested kitchen cabinet of a homeowner as featured in .uk Contrary to popular belief, fleas seldom jump directly from one pet to another. According to the University of Kentucky, pets acquire fleas from kennels, groomers, etc., or from stray dogs, cats or wildlife (especially opossums and raccoons) wandering through the yard. If humans could do this, we would be able to leap over skyscrapers.” When fleas jump, they attach themselves to a host whether it be your dog, cat, or even your own shoes and pant legs. According to the National Pest Management Association, fleas “have incredibly powerful legs that can springboard them as high as 8” vertically, which is over 150 times their height. Do fleas have wings?įleas do not have wings. Once larvae become adults, they jump onto a passing host such as your dog, which is when you begin to see the infestation. They burrow into the fibers where they can avoid light and low levels of humidity. According to Flea Science, 83% of fleas develop deep within home carpeting. If you find fleas on your pet, immediate action should be taken by calling your veterinarian.Īnother common hiding place for fleas is rugs and carpeting. Using a flea comb on your pet’s fur exposes any fleas that are hiding and not as easily visible. Photo Credit: Fleas look like dark peppered spots when you find them on pet fur. The earlier you find the problem, the more likely it will be to get them under control. 
It’s paramount that you take measures to eliminate fleas as soon as you see them. If you do not have pets and you’re experiencing fleas, it’s frequently the sign of a bigger problem with rodent infestations within the home. Fleas need a host to survive whether that be a pet or other critters such as mice or squirrels. What do fleas look like?Ī flea infestation is caused by a host animal unknowingly carrying the fleas indoors.
Other tiny bugs that can easily be ruled out because they do not jump at all are bed bugs and ants. On the East coast, homeowners with jumping bugs usually see fleas or springtails. Getting close enough to figure out what kind of pest you’re dealing with is not only difficult due to their size, but also nerve racking when you’re anticipating the jump. It’s less likely that you’ll find the jumping kind in your house, but when you do, it can be very stressful. Some bugs fly, some crawl, and some jump. What are the tiny jumping bugs in my house?
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