Even though both fleas and springtails can jump, there are many important differences between them that will help you tell the difference.
Fleas are small, wingless insects and are reddish-brown in color. From the top to the bottom of their bodies, they are compressed, which makes it easy for them to move through their hosts’ fur. They have strong, muscled legs that enable them to jump long distances relative to their size.
Springtails are interesting bugs that come in many colors and jump by using a furcula, a spring-loaded body part on their abdomen. Springtails “launch” themselves into the air when they coil and release their furcula. This helps them avoid what they think is a threat.
Flea adults are blood-feeding insects that have piercing mouthparts which enables the insect to bite. Infestations of fleas usually are the result of an infested pet that spends most of its time inside.
Fleas lay their eggs on a host animal. When the eggs hatch, the larval stage falls off the host animal and looks for a safe place to grow into the pupal stage.
Flea pupa can’t move, but when they’re fully grown, they’ll jump on a host, feed on blood, and lay more eggs.
Springtails usually live in the soil, but you can also find them in other places with a lot of water. They are common in:
Wintering springtails usually live outside, but if it gets too dry for them, they will go inside where it is more humid. Typical indoor locations include:
They are very hard to see unless they jump. Springtails feed on mold and fungi and do not bite.
It’s the middle of the night when suddenly you feel something crawling on your skin You turn on the light and see a big black bug quickly hop away and disappear in the cracks Ugh! Dealing with pests is no fun, especially when they invade the sanctuary of your home.
If you’ve spotted some sizable black bugs that exhibit big hops around your house, you may be dealing with a member of the Hemiptera order of insects Known as the “true bugs”, this group contains some unwelcome intruders like boxelder bugs, stink bugs, and leaf-footed bugs
In this article, we’ll uncover the common culprits if you’re seeing dark jumping bugs inside. Learn to identify which pest you’re up against, plus get tips for effective control and prevention. With the right knowledge, you can evict those uninvited guests and keep them from hopping back in!
Common Black Jumping Bug Home Invaders
If you’re seeing fast-moving black bugs in your home that can leap distances quickly, they likely belong to one of these common pest groups:
-
Boxelder bugs – About 1/2 inch long, with reddish-black bodies and distinct red lines on wings. Invade homes in fall seeking warmth.
-
Stink bugs – Shield-shaped bugs around 2/3 inch long. May be brown, green or gray. Emit foul odor when threatened.
-
Leaf-footed bugs – Elongated with flattened expandable hind legs. Vary in color, often with leaf-like expansions on hind legs.
-
Fleas – Tiny wingless insects less than 1/8 inch long. Jump long distances. Bite pets and humans.
-
Springtails – Microscopic primitive wingless bugs under 1/5 inch long. Common in damp areas. Jump when disturbed.
If you can capture one of the bugs, examine it closely with a magnifying glass or take pictures to identify. This will help you know what control measures to take. Now let’s look at each of these jumping pests in more detail.
Boxelder Bugs
About 1/2 inch in length, boxelder bugs are black with distinctive red lines on their wings and red veins through the abdomen. Nymphs are bright red. These true bugs feed primarily on boxelder trees, maple, and other trees, sucking sap from the seeds, leaves, and twigs.
In fall, boxelder bugs often invade homes seeking warmth, congregating on exterior walls and sneaking into cracks around windows and doors. Large numbers may enter and become a nuisance indoors as temperatures drop. They don’t breed or feed inside but can stain surfaces with their droppings.
Stink Bugs
This aptly named pest also seeks shelter in homes during cooler weather. Ranging from 1/2 to 2/3 inch long, they are shield-shaped bugs that may be brown, green, gray or another color. When disturbed, stink bugs release an unpleasant odor from glands on their thorax.
Stink bugs are agricultural pests that feed on crops and trees. Indoors they are mainly a nuisance, though they can emit their stinky odor if squashed. They may live for several weeks inside over winter before dying.
Leaf-Footed Bugs
From the Coreidae family, leaf-footed bugs get their name from the flattened leaf-like expansions on their hind legs. They are elongated true bugs over 1/2 inch in length that vary in color from reddish-brown to gray. Some have striking patterns on their wings or torso.
Leaf-footed bugs feed on plant sap and overwinter as adults in sheltered locations, including inside homes. They can become nuisances indoors through their presence, odors, and potential staining.
Fleas
Fleas are tiny wingless insects that make their living as blood-feeding parasites of animals. Only about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long, fleas are dark colored and have specialized legs perfect for jumping long distances. They can leap up to 7 inches vertically!
Fleas sometimes hitchhike into homes on pets or wildlife. Once indoors, they may bite people or pets before hopping away into carpets, furniture, and bedding. Bites are itchy and may cause skin irritation and inflammation.
Springtails
More primitive relatives of insects, springtails are microscopic wingless bugs less than 1/5 inch long. Often white or gray, they have a characteristic tube on the underside that allows them to spring into the air when threatened.
Found in damp environments, springtails occasionally wander indoors in basements, bathrooms, and kitchens seeking moisture. They are harmless but can be a nuisance bouncing around floors and walls in large numbers.
Now that you know what black jumping bugs you may encounter, let’s talk about safe and effective control methods.
Smart Ways to Control Jumping Pests at Home
Dealing with occasional invader bugs calls for safe, targeted strategies:
-
Seal entry points – Caulk and seal cracks around windows, doors, pipes, and the foundation to block access.
-
Sanitation – Eliminate food sources by cleaning up crumbs, pantry spills, and pet fur and waste.
-
Traps – Use pheromone or sticky traps for stink bugs and boxelder bugs. Flea traps with light and warmth also work.
-
Vacuuming – Thoroughly vacuum problem areas to remove bugs and eggs from carpets, drapes, furniture, etc.
-
Targeted sprays – Use pesticidal soaps, essential oils, or other low-toxicity treatments in targeted areas if pests persist. Never broadcast spray indoors.
-
Flea treatments – Treat pets with an effective flea prevention medication to stop infestations at the source.
-
Monitor for re-entry – Watch for bugs congregating on exterior walls as seasons change. Caulk and seal any new entry points.
With perseverance and an IPM approach, you can kick small invader pest problems for good. But when is it time to call in a professional exterminator?
When to Seek Professional Pest Control Help
While small invasions can often be managed with vigilance and the strategies above, expert help may be needed if:
-
Infestations persist after thorough at-home treatment efforts
-
Large seasonal swarms of boxelder bugs or stink bugs emerge
-
Sensitive individuals live in the home like babies, elderly, or immunocompromised
-
Pest allergies exist making control difficult
-
Flea infestations are severe and able to live in walls or under floors
A qualified exterminator has access to more potent chemicals and treatments if bugs prove difficult to eradicate on your own. Just be sure to choose a company that practices IPM – integrating least toxic methods when possible.
Prevent Jumping Pests From Bouncing Back!
Don’t let occasional jumping pest invaders turn into full-blown infestations! Implement these IPM prevention tips:
-
Install door sweeps, screens, and caulking to seal cracks
-
Clean gutters and direct rainwater away from the foundation
-
Stack firewood and mulch away from the exterior walls of the home
-
Install illumination in entryways and deter bugs with mint, thyme, eucalyptus, or cinnamon oil
-
Remove ivy, trees, and leaf litter near the home’s perimeter
-
Treat outdoor nests and congregating areas directly if needed
With vigilance and Integrated Pest Management, you can outsmart those pesky jumping bugs! Share your experiences battling boxelder bugs, fleas, and other hopping home invaders in the comments.
Dig Deeper on Springtails
Our customer care team is available for you 24 hours a day.
Our local Pros are the pest experts in your area.
Damage and Health Implications
Fleas are important medical pests that cause painful bites that may become infected if not properly cared for. When fleas are present, pets may lose hair because they scratch and bite the areas of their fur where the fleas are.
Another thing fleas do is spread diseases to both people and pets, and their bites can cause allergic reactions.
Springtails do not bite and their impact on homeowners is limited to being a nuisance. But springtails found inside a house could mean that there is water from a plumbing leak, a roof leak, or some other source that caused mold and mildew.
So, whenever springtails or fleas become a problem, contact Orkin for science-based, integrated plans for controlling these pests.
A frog jumping on a big black bug
What are these tiny black bugs that jump?
Tips for Controlling Springtails Occasionally, springtails—tiny black bugs that jump —will migrate indoors during periods of heavy rains, or during prolonged hot, dry spells. If you have houseplants, they may have been living in the potting soil and simply escaped their pots.
What are black bugs?
“Black bugs” refers to small pesky insects, arachnids, and mites with black bodies. Examples of small black bugs include beetles, spiders, bed bugs, fleas, fungus gnats, and black aphids. The tiny pests, like aphids or fleas, could be as small as poppy seeds or relatively large, like black cockroaches.
Why do Black Bugs jump so fast?
But they are best known as tiny black bugs that jump fast. They have a specialized organ called furca, which you can find in their abdomen (towards the posterior end of their body). This organ helps them jump. If you are wondering why they need to jump, they most often do it to avoid predators.
What are the different types of black bugs?
One of the most common types of black bugs you might find in your home is carpet beetles. However, many other kinds of adult beetles, bed bugs, aphids, fleas, ants, spiders, and centipedes also have black bodies. They can infest kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms.