Illinois Winters Bring Snow Fleas; Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Be Alarmed

If you see what appears to be black pepper strewn all over your yard this winter in Illinois, it's probably snow fleas, but don't freak out! Snow fleas aren't as bad as they sound.

Winter Bug Problems in Illinois

I hate bugs, and right now my home is crawling with far more than I care to see.

Just yesterday I spotted spiders, an Asian lady beetle, and even a boxelder bug crawling around in my basement, so now I'm calling in the experts, aka, exterminators.

Bugs seeking warmth during the winter is nothing new in Illinois, but soon we could find more bugs crawling around on the snow in our backyard.

You could see something like this...

OR something major like this...

Before you freak out and call the exterminator in tears, just remember this; those black bugs are NOT bad and they will NOT harm your family or your pets.

What Are Snow Fleas?

As temps begin to warm up and the snow starts to melt, snow fleas will start to make their appearance all over Illinois, BUT this is not a bad thing.

First off, snow fleas aren't technically a flea at all. They are a type of springtail that is active all year long in Illinois.

According to the Entomology Department at the University of Minnesota;

Snow fleas live in the soil and leaf litter where they eat microscopic fungi, algae, and decaying organic matter. Even though they are very abundant, they go unnoticed during the summer.

These springtail get the name "snow flea" primarily because they can jump up to several inches. Unlike real fleas, snow fleas don't jump to latch onto things, and they will not bite you.

Snow Fleas are way more tolerant to cold temperatures that other insects, and usually don't start appearing during the winter until the snow mass becomes soft enough for them to tunnel through in search of light (and food).

Snow fleas are actually a GOOD thing to have in your yard because they eat decaying plants and break down organic matter which helps recycle nutrients back into the soil. Just think of them as tiny winter composters, ensuring your yard stays healthy all year long!

How to Get Rid of Snow Fleas

Snow fleas may be good for the health of your yard, but let's be honest, they can be pretty unsightly.

If you want to try and keep snow flea populations at bay, make sure you remove all dead plants and leaves from your yard so the bugs have less to much on.

Have you spotted snow fleas near you yet? Send us a pic on our app!

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