Those Little Critters, Snow Fleas

One of the very cool things about winter in the north is the incredibly quick change in the weather, wildlife and woods. One day it's blustery winter with freezing temperatures, snow and ice. And a few days later, the roads are bared by 50 degree temperatures. One day, I take my walk in silence, noting only the animal tracks upon the snow. A few days later the racket is deafening, as the forest comes alive with darting forms emerging from dens and trees and brush piles. One day the trees and bushes look dead, and only a few days later there are green buds emerging. One day the snow banks are piled high around my home, and only a few days later the driveway has turned into a real gully washer. The melting snow flows with what looks like oil slicks. But a closer look reveals millions and millions of snow fleas.

What, snow has fleas? Where? Most of us have never noticed snow fleas,
unique little creatures that are really very common, and right under our
noses. Here's how to find them. More...

What?! I can't believe it! In researching information for this lens I actually found sites that give you instruction on how to kill snow fleas. Well, I'm not going to provide links to these sites because I think it's ridiculous. And probably futile.

As you've learned, snow fleas are not fleas at all. They do not bite. They do not attach to you or your pets. They do not come into your home. They are harmless to you and other animals.

Snow fleas stay in the wooded areas around your home and eat bacteria and fungus from decaying outdoor matter. They help in the decaying process. You've probably had snow fleas around your home long before you read this lens and became aware of them.

Relax.

I used to make maple syrup. I know I'm dating myself, but this is back in the days when you tapped a maple tree with a metal spout and hung a bucket on the end of the spout. Today, most commercial operations run plastic tubing from tree to tree and then directly into the sugar shack. Anyway, back then a bucket without a lid was a bucket full of sap and snow fleas. We didn't mind. They cook down. And when the sap becomes a nice amber syrup, you hardly notice those little critters. Well, truth be told, they were essentially cooked out. But that's no fun. We loved to remark, "Who needs bacon and eggs with your pancakes or french toast when you've got that special kind of protein in your syrup."