Jumping Black Specks in the Sink? It's Not Fleas.
Seeing tiny black bugs jumping in your sink or shower? They likely aren't fleas. They are Springtails. Learn how to get rid of them by controlling moisture.
It is common to mistake Springtails for fleas because of their ability to launch themselves into the air. However, the distinction is simple: if you aren't being bitten, they likely aren't fleas.
Springtails are tiny hexapods that feed on decaying organic matter, mold, and algae. The "jump" comes from a forked structure called a furcula folded under their abdomen. When threatened, they release this latch, snapping against the ground and propelling them away from danger.
Moisture Indicators
Finding Springtails in a bathroom or kitchen is less about the bugs themselves and more about what they represent: excess moisture.
These creatures breathe through their cuticle (skin) and are highly susceptible to desiccation. They cannot survive in dry environments. If they are clustering in a sink, bathtub, or near a baseboard, it indicates a nearby moisture source. This could be a sweating pipe inside a wall void, a leaking drain, or simply high humidity in the room.
Solving the Problem
While vinegar or bleach will kill the Springtails you see on contact, it does not stop the infestation. New ones will simply emerge from the cracks.
Permanent removal requires drying out the habitat. Using a dehumidifier to lower the room's humidity, fixing minor leaks, and allowing the soil outside the window to dry between waterings will cause the population to crash naturally. Once the moisture is gone, the Springtails disappear.