What is a Sand Flea, Exactly?

There’s nothing worse than encountering an itchy nuisance during a relaxing day at the beach. The sand flea is one critter you want to avoid while having fun in the sun. Many people confuse these little pests with traditional cat fleas or other varieties, but they’re not even insects.

The sand flea is a crustacean-like the crab, so it’s only natural that they live along the water’s edge buried in the sand for protection.

Even if you don’t live along the Jersey Shore, you may still have an issue with sand fleas. Do you have a swimming pool where you use sand for the base? Do your children have a sandbox that they play in outside? Any large pile of sand on your property can be infested with fleas, and it can spell trouble for you, your children, or pets that play in it.

There are two species of sand flea found in North America, and though the bites may sting and cause a red welt, it’s usually harmless. The sand flea doesn’t carry deadly diseases; they’re more of a nuisance than harmful.

The Lifecycle

When considering control strategies, it helps to understand the lifecycle of these fleas. The crustacean doesn’t get more than an inch in length, which is a bit larger than traditional fleas. They go through a process called metamorphosis, where they begin as an egg and progress through many stages until they reach adulthood.

The female buries her tiny eggs in the sand close to the water’s edge. There all along the beaches and riverfronts, but they’re hardly visible to the naked eye. When the eggs hatch, nymphs emerge looking very similar to full-sized adults, but they don’t have any wings at this stage. They continue to grow and molt, which means they shed their exoskeletons as they go through this process.

Once the flea reaches adulthood, their hind legs fully develop, allowing them to jump reasonable distances. They can go anywhere from ¼ – ½ of an inch in the sand. The ability to leap at significant lengths helps them to stay safe from predators. They can quickly become a meal for a hungry snake, lizard, or toad, but did you know that some people eat them?

It sounds ironic, but since these are crustaceans, some folks say they’re just like crabs when seasoned and cooked correctly. Though, the thought of eating a flea seems nauseating to most individuals.

Preferred Habitats

You already know that sand fleas prefer coastal areas with beaches, dunes, and tidal zones. These creatures thrive in warm and sandy environments, where they can quickly burrow and remain hidden from predators. Popular locations for sand flea infestations include beaches in tropical and subtropical regions.

Typically, sand fleas are active during the daytime, as they prefer to hide in the sand at night when they’re more at risk. You’ll likely encounter them during the warmer months, as they’re more abundant during summer. The higher temperatures and increased beach activities give them optimal conditions to grow and reproduce.

Eliminating Sand Fleas

If you get sand fleas in your yard, you should know that getting rid of them is challenging. Since they like to burrow and have excellent digging abilities, they can quickly hide from you. Another significant issue is that they reproduce rapidly and can lay hundreds of eggs in one cycle. Though the female doesn’t live long, her ability to contribute to the population is not questioned.

One good thing about the sand flea is that they often infest for only a season and tend to migrate along with the seasons. While it’s good in one aspect, it can also make accessing their breeding grounds to eliminate them challenging. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to help eliminate the risk of an encounter.

Wear Longer Clothing – Putting a physical barrier between you and the fleas is advisable. If you can wear pants and socks, you reduce the chances of being bitten.

Maintain Sandy Areas – While you have little control at the beach, any sand near your home should be raked and smoothed regularly. The simple process of moving the sand disrupts the fleas’ habits and exposes them to the elements. These actions will reduce their population.

Use Formulated Insecticides – You can’t use the same products for these pests that you would use to eradicate the cat flea, so you must use something that’s formulated for this specific variety. Spraying these insecticides on sandy areas can help control populations.

Make Modifications Environmentally – Creating barriers around the sand will discourage them from burrowing in those areas. Sand fences or the use of vegetation can be advantageous.

Using Natural Predators – Natural predators can help to reduce the population, such as small fish or shorebirds. While the average homeowner can’t use these methods, they can certainly be employed by those overseeing public and private beaches to help reduce incidents.

Calling a Professional for Help

Finally, sand fleas are a persistent nuisance for those who live in coastal areas. The good news is they won’t infest your home. Understanding their preferred habits, behaviors, and ways to control them makes it easier to spend time outdoors.

If you have any issues with sand fleas in your yard, making environmental modifications might not be enough. Call us for help with such an issue, so you can enjoy your backyard without unwelcomed interruptions.

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