Snow Fleas: A Persistent Pest in Wisconsin You Should Know About

Even in March, there's still a chance of snow in Wisconsin—and anywhere in the Midwest, really. If you live in a snowy area, you might come across snow fleas. The good news is, they aren't nearly as troublesome as regular fleas, so they don’t pose much of a threat.

These Are Snow Fleas In Wisconsin

Good News... snow fleas are much less of a nuisance than their flea relatives. They don’t bite or cause any harm to humans or pets, making them more of a curious winter phenomenon than a threat.

Although snow fleas aren’t technically fleas, they closely resemble them. During warmer stretches of winter, when the snow begins to melt, these tiny critters can be seen scattered across the snow, looking like little specks. Despite their small size, snow fleas share the same impressive jumping ability as regular fleas, making them surprisingly agile.

According to the Farmers Almanac, "snow fleas" are not actually fleas. They also thrive in the winter.

Snow fleas are not actually fleas — and officially, they aren’t classified as insects, either, though they do look like bugs. These small wingless creatures are often referred to as “springtails,” but their scientific name is Hypogastrura harveyi or Hypogastrura nivicola, depending on the species. Snow fleas are classified as hexapods, which is a subtype of the arthropod family. Like insects, snow fleas have six legs but researchers say that they are more closely related to crustaceans.

Snow fleas contain an antifreeze-like substance in their bodies, allowing them to thrive in freezing temperatures. This adaptation helps them stay active throughout winter, hopping across the snow with ease—another example of nature’s ingenuity in harsh environments

Snow fleas produce their own type of antifreeze, a protein that is rich in the amino acid glycine. Glycine prevents the formation and enlargement of ice crystals, enabling these creatures to keep on munching organic materials despite the bitter cold.