Snow fleas are hexapods in the arthropod family. So what does that mean? It means that they are not insects, therefore they do not bite. They are 6 legged wingless creatures that are actual good for the environment and normally, in warmer weather, live on top of the soil. Snow fleas, feed on organic matter in your garden, breaking it down to digestible “food” for your plants. So what are they doing out in winter on top of the snow, you ask? They produce glycine or antifreeze, that prevents them from forming death inducing crystals in their bodies. In winter, especially warmer days, they will rise from the leaf litter in search of fresh food. I see them congregating around tree trunks. I also note them in deer tracks as they provide a “hallway” or shorter access to the surface.
