Open in full screen mode Snow springtails form a layer that resembles soot. (Archive photo) Radio-Canada Voice synthesis, based on artificial intelligence, makes it possible to generate spoken text from a written text. With the good weather returning, small insects have started to appear: snow fleas. But don't panic, because these are harmless to humans and animals. According to Julia Mylnare, entomologist at the Montreal Insectarium, snow fleas are part of the springtail group. Very small, they move in large numbers on the snow banks and blacken them by their presence to feed on the detritus found there. They are really beneficial, they don't really harm anyone. They just really eat what's on the snow, like material that falls from trees, the scientist explains. They help in the decomposition of matter. A quote from Julia Mylnare, entomologist at the Montreal Insectarium Loading ELSEWHERE ON INFO: Who is “Barbecue”, the gang leader who wants to overthrow power in Haiti? Loading
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In addition, those who have dogs and cats at home can rest assured: snow fleas, which move around by jumping thanks to a “small motor”, pose no risk to pets.
There is no danger if you go for a walk with a dog, for example, guarantees Julia Mylnare.
Magosian springtails
If they can climb on their legs pets, they will come down quickly, due to lack of food, i.e. trash.
Also, home infestations are not to be feared. They prefer to be in the forest, on the snow. Really, they're not going to fit into buildings. There is no problem there.
The arrival of springtails is a normal phenomenon as spring approaches .
They come when the heat comes, when, on the snow, there is a little melt and they can eat what who is there, mentions Julia Mylnare.
This year, with the early heat, they are however a little ahead, estimates the specialist.
Snow fleas can mostly be seen near tree trunks and in holes in the snow, as it is easier for them to to emerge from the ground in a less abundant accumulation.
With information from Rosalie Dumais-Beaulieu