BUGS THAT LOOK LIKE FLEAS HOW TO
BUGS THAT LOOK LIKE FLEAS SKIN

Just like fleas, these tiny beetles can catapult themselves a long way especially when disturbed! How are flea beetles different from fleas?įleas and flea beetles have different habitats. Flea beetles are most often mistaken for fleas because of their jumping abilities. They come in a range of colors from blank to metallic gray, though a good number of them are bronze or brown – just like fleas!įlea beetles and fleas all jump. Henrik Larsson/ How are flea beetles similar to fleas?

BUGS THAT LOOK LIKE FLEAS HOW TO

However, they are similar in appearance to fleas and are often mistaken for the bloodsuckers – so, here’s how to tell them apart! These herbivorous insects are most commonly found chomping holes in the stems and leaves of garden plants, rather than hanging out in your dog’s coat. These bugs may hop like fleas, but flea beetles are found on plants, not pets. Flea beetles What are flea beetles?įlea beetles are yet another example of small jumping insects that are not fleas. They are also easier to squish than fleas, which famously resist crushing. Whereas fleas have a flattened body, springtails have a more rounded, soft body. If you manage to capture one of your jumping invaders, try to look at it under a microscope for identification clues. Springtails and fleas have different body shapes. Therefore, they don’t bite or sting and are, in fact, completely harmless to both humans and animals. Unlike fleas, springtails feed on decaying organic matter and fungus. How are springtails different from fleas?

However, they aren’t the only bug able to launch themselves over incredible distances, and the springtail is so named because it, too, can leap a long way. The most distinctive trait of the flea is its superhero hopping power. This and their small size can easily lead to their being mistaken for fleas. Springtails come in a range of muddy colors, and it’s not uncommon for them to appear brown. This can make them harder to identify, as it can be difficult to get a close look at them! Like fleas, springtails are very small and usually only measure a few mm in length.

Henrik Larsson/ How are springtails similar to fleas? However, there are some differences between the two that should help you tell them apart. They are often mistaken for fleas due to their hopping behavior. These tiny jumping bugs are most commonly found in areas of high moisture such as soil, where they feed on mold and fungus. They are typically no more than a few millimeters long, and most are brown, gray or black in color. Springtails are small jumping flea like insects that get their name from their ability to leap long distances. So, which insects are most commonly mistaken for fleas? 1. Keep reading! 3 Bugs that look like fleas but aren’t There are several flea lookalikes that are often mistaken for this jumping, biting bug – and how can you tell them apart? Unfortunately, flea identification isn’t as easy as you may think. Getting rid of these insects as soon as you see them should, therefore, be a top priority for any pet-owner! However, studies have found that the majority of fleas still carry pathogens that can cause illness in both animals and humans. Nowadays, the plague isn’t such a pressing concern. This gruesome plague was one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, wiping out around half the total population of Europe at the time, and was spread through the bites of infected fleas. These minuscule insects have a fearsome reputation for their role in the spread of diseases, most notably the Black Death of the 14th century.

BUGS THAT LOOK LIKE FLEAS SKIN

This phenomenal skill allows them to spread quickly and means they can easily be transferred from pets to humans.įleas are known for leaving small, itchy bites on the skin of their hosts, which besides driving the afflicted creature crazy, can also transmit diseases. These wingless, flat-bodied bugs are most easily recognized by their impressive leap, as adult insects can launch themselves up to 30 cm into their air.

What are fleas, and how can you identify them?įleas are small, light to dark brown insects that usually measure between 2 and 8 mm in length. This is why in this article, you will learn more about these three insects that look like fleas (but aren’t!), so you can establish once and for all what type of invader you’re dealing with. Some of the most common bugs that look like and are therefore often mistaken for fleas are springtails, bed bugs as well as flea beetles.