How to Get Rid of Sand Fleas

Waking up with bug bites or seeing your pet scratching incessantly can signify an even greater pest problem on your hands – sand fleas.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

What are Sand Fleas?

Sand fleas are not fleas at all. The small brown pests in your home are crustaceans. Sand fleas are also known as beach fleas or sand hoppers.

Sand fleas are extremely small – usually less than an inch in length, and typically have a dark color and large thick antennae. Anywhere there is sand or a beach, you can find sand fleas – but they can also travel home with you, meaning you might find sand fleas in your home in Arizona!

How do Sand Fleas Get in Your House?

Although sand fleas are unlikely to be tracked into your home to the degree of the infestation, they can cause problems for homeowners by bodies of water. Sand fleas are most active during nighttime and are more likely to find their way onto a pet or human.

While sand fleas are not quite comparable to regular fleas, they will attach themselves to someone and may bite.

Signs of a Sand Flea Infestation

Because sand fleas are more likely to travel home with you or a pet, they will not infest your home traditionally very often. However, it is important to understand what sand fleas are vs. regular fleas and other pests – and how to deal with them.

Sand fleas are likely to bite and burrow if you are around them for extended periods, and they can cause tungiasis – a parasitic condition that causes intense itching and infection. 

If you unknowingly bring a sand flea home, it will be similar to having bed bugs, so your first sign of sand fleas may require medical attention.

How to Prevent Sand Fleas in Your Home

Though an actual infestation is not what you are trying to guard against for sand fleas, you certainly want to prevent them from entering your home.

These are the best steps to stop sand fleas from getting into your house – or to remove them once they are there:

  1. Clean All Surfaces Thoroughly: Because sand fleas like to burrow in things, they are attracted to clothes, linens, carpets, and other textiles. They will also hide in cracks and crevices before attaching themselves to you or your pets.
  2. Steam Clean Floors: Not only will this disrupt some of the hiding spots for sand fleas, but prolonged exposure to high heat can terminate them.
  3. Use Bug Spray at the Beach: Though sand fleas are not actual insects, certain over-the-counter repellents will work on these biting pests. If you are going to a beach where you are worried about sand fleas – especially at night – we recommend applying them.
  4. Get Regularly Scheduled Pest Control: One of the best ways to prevent pests from creating problems in your house is to have your trusted pest control provider perform regular audits and treatments annually or bi-annually.

If you follow these tips and are cautious about what you track back from the beach, you can prevent sand fleas. If you are bitten by sand fleas or have a persistent problem, it’s time to call professional pest control services immediately.

What to Expect From Sand Flea Pest Control

Getting a proper pest control appraisal before paying for products and services you don’t need is important. This is especially important because signs of fleas and other similar pests can easily be mistaken for sand fleas.

The best local pest control professionals will provide you with:

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