
Snow Fleas?! Yes, They’re Real and Found in Indiana
If you spot some little black specks in the Indiana snow, it might not be something you may not have known existed in the Hoosier State.
For the majority of Hoosiers, we still have quite a bit of snow on the ground from Winter Storm Blair that devastated portions of the state on January 6th. Winter isn't over yet either, which means that more snow could be on the way in Indiana. Some snow is expected in portions of southern Indiana on January 23rd and 24th. Whether it is going to accumulate or just be a small dusting has yet to be determined. However, that being said, the chances of more snow here in Southern Indiana are very likely in the near future, so now might be a good time to tell you about something that could be found in the snow that you probably never knew existed...snow fleas.

What are Snow Fleas?
These little-known critters come out when most of the other insects like ticks, fleas, and mosquitos aren't typically spotted in the winter. According to the Farmer's Almanac:
Snow fleas are not actually fleas. 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, they have six legs but researchers say that they are more closely related to crustaceans.
The snow flea makes its home in snow banks and the sprinkling of snow around the tree trunks in your yard. You might look down at the melting snow and notice little black specks. These specks could be confused with dirt at first glance, but in reality, they are snow fleas. These insects are actually out year-round, but they are most commonly noticed in the wintertime in the snow.
Do Snow Fleas Bite?
No. Unlike the fleas that you might find on your dog, snow fleas are not a threat to you or your pets. Snow fleas are actually great for your lawn and gardens because of the work that they do to help decompose organic material, according to the Farmer's Almanac.
If you are like me, you had no clue they even existed. So it might be interesting to take a look at the ground to see if you can spot them before the snow melts away.
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