Is it a flea?
The flea is a small, wingless insect with powerful hind legs adapted for jumping, commonly found in carpets and on pets.
whichbug identifies insects from what you can see. It does not identify bites and has no health information.
What to look for
| Size | 1.5 to 3.3 mm |
|---|---|
| Colour | dark brown to reddish-brown |
| Shape | laterally compressed body with a hard exoskeleton |
| Wings | absent |
| Antennae | short and hidden in grooves |
| Movement | capable of powerful vertical and horizontal jumps |
Where you'll find them
pet beddingcarpet fibersupholstered furniturecracks in flooringnuisance only
Fleas do not damage fabrics, food, or structural components of a building.
Season: spring through autumn
Signs it's around
- small black specks resembling pepper (feces) on light surfaces
- flea dirt on pet fur or bedding
- tiny white eggs in fabric crevices
- adult insects jumping when disturbed
Not sure? The lookalikes
| vs bed bug nymph | flea has a laterally flattened body and jumps, while bed bug nymph is dorsoventrally flat and crawls |
| vs springtail | flea lacks a furcula (jumping fork) on its abdomen and has a hardened exoskeleton unlike the soft springtail |
| vs black carpet beetle | flea is wingless and laterally compressed, whereas black carpet beetle larvae are hairy and adults have wing covers |