insects

[Hib]

What are tiny black insects that are 2mm long, look like a hyphen, jump, can't be squashed, and bite. I have seen them in clean houses.

[mrs.pudding]

FLEAS!!!!

[ludwig]

Sounds an awful lot like a flea. The kind that cats and dogs have. The house doesn't have to be dirty. They jump off the animal and live in the carpet, jumping up every now and again to bite peoples ankles.

[rinkytink]

This is a bit vile....but you can squash them if you can get them between your finger nails !!

[mrs.pudding]

lots of hoovering helps! Specially where the carpet meets the walls. Also, although it sounds silly, introduce a pet. Animal fleas bite humans when they're hungry. And it's easy to treat the animal with the lotion that vets sell.

[thewillow]

There's a spray called Frontline which I've heard is excellent. Haven't tried it as I haven't had a cat for years. rinkytink is right. It's the only way to kill them if you see one lurking on your person.

[New Forester]

Yes, fleas. They will live in quite clean houses (and also in ours...). The grubs crawl about in corners and in the carpet eating dust and debris -- this is why vacuuming helps. The grubs "crysalise", then hatch into adults, which keep quiet and wait until something warm passes by. Then they bite you! One way of catching them is to sit on the bed with bare, sweaty feet on the floor (though you may not know anyone with those...?), and wait. They will come from quite a distance. Catch them by pinching smartly before they bite, then with a bit of juggling get them between your nails and crush them. Or drop them into a cup of soapy water -- they can't swim well. Hours of fun at bedtime... A saucer of fresh blood is also supposed to attract them...

[mrs.pudding]

or have a bit of soggy soap handy and slam it onto them as they investigate your legs - that catches 'em!

[Asraifizzies]

If you roll them as hard as possible between the cushiony part of your fingers - especially if your fingers are slightly damp, that stuns the fleas. Then it's easier to get them between your finger nails to squash. My old friend Professor Sneddon used to swear by getting them off her dogs by using a nit brush dipped in baby oil, then drowning them in soapy water. Frontline is excellent.