There are a couple of good reasons. First of all, these small creatures happen to look a lot like fleas. During warmer periods in the winter, when
snow melts
, these critters can be found speckling the snow. Snow fleas also have the same super-powered jumping ability that regular fleas have.
Can snow fleas infest your house?
Though snow fleas are normally found outside, they
can sometimes live in indoor spaces
. They're commonly found in damp areas of the home, like basements or near leaky pipes.
Are snow fleas common?
Because snow fleas live in areas rich in organic materials (like leaf litter), they are
quite common around tree trunks
.
Are snow fleas bad?
Snow fleas are not actually fleas
. And, unlike the fleas you typically find on your pets, snow fleas do not bite. The insects are harmless to both humans and pets. Although they don't bite, they may become a nuisance if they're in your home in large numbers.
Where do snow fleas live?
Snow fleas can survive during the winter because they have an antifreeze protein. This protein lowers the freezing temperature of their body, allowing them to survive in cold weather. Snow fleas are typically found in
moist places like wooded areas with rotting leaves and logs
.
Do springtails get in your bed?
The presence of springtails in your bedroom, bathroom or carpets is an
indication of dampness that provides clues to possible larger problems
such as leaky pipes or roofs, poorly sealed tubs and sinks and porous basement walls. Treating pest infestations often requires house repairs and other fixes.
Do springtails live on humans?
Springtails are not parasitic on humans
and are not known to actively infest living human tissue. Orkin pest
Will springtails ever go away?
This will eventually go away on its own in
a few years
through the process of heating and cooling the inside of your house; and those little springtails will likely go away on their own as well.
Can you see fleas on humans?
Fleas do not live on humans
because they lack substantial hair like animals, and it's very difficult to reproduce without the protection of fur or feathers.
Should I worry about springtails?
Springtails
are not a danger to people
, pets, or to the structures of buildings; they are, however, an invading pest that can enter homes in large numbers and can become quite a nuisance. Because of their ability to jump and their small size they are often confused with fleas that do bite and do transmit diseases.
How long do springtails live for?
Adults live for
about two weeks
. In ideal environmental conditions and with a good food source, springtail life cycles are completed quickly, resulting in an occasional population explosion in soils with high amounts of organic matter. Overcrowding and drying soil may cause springtails to migrate.
How do you get rid of Springtail fleas?
- Spray vinegar directly on the springtails, and take a rag, and spread the vinegar around infested areas. …
- After using vinegar to help with the immediate issues, wash down the infested surfaces with detergent and water. …
- BLEACH!
Do springtails fly?
Springtails do not have wings and cannot fly
. But they can jump up to several inches using a special forked structure under the abdomen.
What time of day are springtails most active?
into the air. Springtails are most active in
the afternoon or early evening
. Springtails favor damp conditions and organic debris. They are often found in soil, lawns, mulch, leaf litter, compost bins and rotting wood, and underneath bark.
How fast do springtails multiply?
Life Cycle. Springtails reproduce quickly, going from egg to adult stage
in as little as four to six weeks
. Mature males leave packets of sperm cells in the soil where they live. These are picked up by females as they lay their eggs, either in packets or singly.
Where do springtail bugs come from?
How Did I Get Springtails? Often mistaken for fleas, these small, jumping pests come
indoors during dry weather or after a heavy rain
. While they can live in any climate, springtails seek out moisture, dampness, and humidity. They are also attracted to light, and all of these things might lead them into a home.
