Question
QUESTION: It has been raining at our house for 5 days, and just today I noticed several (at least 30) dead bugs all around our downstairs carpet.  They look exactly like fleas but are MUCH bigger than any flea I have ever seen--1/4 of an inch.  At first I thought they were coming out of the baseboards, but then I noticed a few live ones near and outside the back door (and they were jumping), so I think they may have been coming in from outside.  The live ones are black and the dead ones are brown.  

Are these fleas?  If so, what is making them come inside and die all of a sudden, the rain?  And should I seek the help of a professional exterminator or do you think flea bombs and outside spray will be sufficient?

I have 3 animals and have not seen any signs of fleas on them.  We live in an area where fleas are not normally an issue.

ANSWER: Holly,

Could you post a picture in a follow up? These don't sound like fleas. I think they may be very large springtails (Collembola) but I'd need to see a picture to be sure.

Jack DeAngelis
http://www.livingwithbugs.com



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mystery bug   QUESTION: I meant to post a pic in the original question but I forgot, here ya go!  

Woke up this morning and there was a whole new batch of dead ones all over the carpet.  I also discovered a lot of lives ones in our rug out back.  If they are coming in from out back, they are figuring out a way to get inside without the door being open.  Once I noticed them in the rug I sprayed the rug and the border of the door with raid and have not noticed one inside since (that was a couple of hours ago).

Answer
The image is a bit too dark to be certain but this looks like a large springtail (see http://www.livingwithbugs.com/springtails.html for pictures). Most springtails are tiny but some species can be 1/4" or more. The fact that they are coming indoors following heavy rains fits as well with the behavior of other species. They won't harm anything and can be swept up, insecticides are not needed. This migration indoors should stop once the soils dry somewhat.

Jack DeAngelis
http://www.livingwithbugs.com