Sand fleas are blood-sucking insects that thrive in hot and humid conditions. They’re most often found in sandy areas, like beaches, but they can also plague your backyard. These tiny pests are invisible to the naked eye, so you’ll need to use a magnifying glass or a special light to spot them.
Sand fleas are typically no larger than 2 millimeters in length. They have oval-shaped bodies with long legs and antennae. Their bodies are covered in scales, which give them their unique texture and appearance. Sand fleas prefer warm weather and moist conditions, which makes them particularly problematic during the summer months when they’re most active outdoors. They feed on your blood by piercing your skin with their sharp mouthparts called mandibles, which can cause an itchy red rash as well as painful itching at the site of the bite wound for several days after an attack has occurred. It’s important to know how to avoid sand fleas so you can protect yourself from being bitten by these pesky pests.
Avoid Being Outside At Dawn Or Dusk.
Avoiding sand fleas is not as simple as slapping on some insect repellent and going about your day. Sand fleas are most active at dawn and dusk, so if you must be outside in the early morning or late afternoon, keep the following tips in mind:
- Wear long sleeves and pants. If it’s too hot for this level of coverage, consider using a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays.
- Apply insect repellent to exposed skin (the EPA recommends using products that contain DEET). Sand flea bites can be painful but rarely cause serious injury or illness without a secondary infection—and even then, most illnesses come from scratches caused by their claws rather than bites themselves.
Wear Light-colored Clothing.
The best way to avoid sand fleas is to wear light-colored clothing. Sand fleas are attracted to dark colors, so wearing white or lighter-colored shirts will make it easier for you to see the sand flea if it tries to bite you and harder for them to hide from your eyes. If you don’t want to wear white or light colors all day long, try wearing a dark shirt over a light one instead. This can be especially useful at night when sand fleas are more active.
Wear A Hat And Sunglasses.
The most effective way to avoid sand fleas is by wearing a hat and sunglasses. This will protect your head, neck, ears and eyes from bites. Sunscreen is also helpful, as the UV rays of the sun can cause skin irritations when you’re out in it for long periods of time.
Apply Insect Repellent.
Protect yourself from sand fleas with insect repellent. Spraying your skin, clothing, shoes and tent will keep the tiny critters away from you and your belongings. Take it a step further by applying repellent to your beach umbrella and beach chair as well. Sand fleas are strong enough to get through the mesh of most outdoor curtains or shades, so be sure to spray them as well.
Avoid Salty Areas.
To avoid sand fleas, you should avoid salty areas. Sand fleas are attracted to salt, so if you can avoid salty places, do it. If you must go to a salty area (like the beach), use repellent as well as wearing pants and long sleeves.
Use A Beach Umbrella Or Canopy.
If you’re looking to get some shade and protection from sand fleas, there’s no better option than a beach umbrella or canopy. These canopies will keep the sun off of your body so you don’t have to worry about getting burned, and they’ll also help to keep away any sand fleas that are trying to bite you.
Take A Shower And Scrub Your Skin Down After Spending Time At The Beach
After you’ve finished your day at the beach and are ready to go home, take a shower. Use soap and water to wash yourself thoroughly. Scrub every inch of your body with a sponge or washcloth, including your scalp and hair. If you can, also give all of your garments a thorough cleaning in the shower as well; otherwise put them in a sealed plastic bag outside so they do not get sand fleas inside them while they dry.
How To Prevent Sand Fleas From Skin
Sand fleas are a common problem for beach-goers and farmers alike, especially in the warmer months. Learn how to avoid sand fleas with these tips. Sand fleas are tiny, brown insects that live in the sand at beaches and in other sandy areas. They can come out at night, so if you’re going to be spending time at a beach during the evening hours, it’s important to take the proper precautions.
1) Don’t wear flip-flops on the beach. Sand fleas love to hang out in flip-flops because they are such convenient hiding places. If you do have to wear them while walking around on dry land, make sure that you shake them off and check your feet when you return home.
2) Don’t leave food unattended outside. If someone has left a sandwich on the picnic table overnight, this is a great source of food for sand fleas. Make sure all of your food is stored safely inside before heading back inside for bedtime or after enjoying some outdoor activities with friends or family members.
3) Use insect repellent if necessary (and don’t forget about your ankles). You can buy insect repellent from most drugstores now days—even many grocery stores carry them now days.
In conclusion,
So, what do you need to know about sand fleas? First off, they’re not actually fleas. They are a type of mite—tiny eight-legged creatures that eat organic matter and poop out waste in the form of cocoons. They typically live in wet areas where there is a lot of organic matter like grass or leaves on the ground. Once they get into your home or yard, it’s best to stay away from them—they cause itching when touched by humans and can bite as well.