Snow Fleas - Long Time No Flea

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Snow Fleas or Hypogastrura nivicola isn’t actually a flea at all but a small insect called a Springtail that ranges in size between 0.25 and 6mm. Sringtails are actually considered hexapods not fleas. They get their name because they have two small hooks under their abdomen that keep their tails latched under their bodies. When they want to get around they simply release the tail and that catapults them to their desired location.

Where can I find Snow Fleas?

When its warming up outside on a snowy day just go look underneath a tree where the snow is starting to melt off exposing the decaying leaves underneath. You might just see a Snow Flea. They look like little tiny black dots, almost like pepper that was sprinkled on the ground underneath the tree. Though some have spots on them similar similar to a leopard, most are black and easily recognizable.

You can find springtails in all cold climates ranging from Antarctica to the top of the Himalayas. Because of micro evolution they’ve learned to adapt to all types of cold climates by using dehydration techniques.

They’ve also been know to live in dark, damp wooden areas like in basements or bathrooms. This is means its possible they could be in your home.

Are Snow Fleas harmful?

No! They aren’t harmful at all they’re actually beneficial. They eat leaf litter and other decomposing matter on the ground. They don’t display any parasitic behavior such as blood sucking so you don’t have to worry about any bites on your or your pets.

The basic snow flea diet consists of dead plant matter such as bacteria, fungus, algae, pollen, sap, and roudworms. Because snow fleas eat decomposing matter they are very beneficial to the environment.

Read our article on the best flea killers!

Snow Flea Facts

There are more than 600 different species of snow fleas in the world.
When you find a group of them, they’re quiet fascinating to watch. It looks like thousands of popcorn kernels jumping around in a microwave.
Snow fleas mate in the spring and lay their eggs in the soil.
They are so light that they can walk on water. This is why they’re sometimes found living in water.
Young springtails are called Nymphs.
Sprintails have tails under their bodies that are held together by two hooks. When released the tail catapults the spring tail to where it wants to go.