Tiny flying bugs in soil - Ask Extension
There are millions of tiny black jumping or flying bugs in my garden and on the plants.
Knowledgebase
Tiny flying bugs in soil #901452
Asked May 14, 2025, 12:28 PM EDT
There are millions of tiny black jumping or flying bugs in my garden and on the plants.
Sherburne County Minnesota
Expert Response
These could be springtails or flying beetles. It's difficult to identify them exactly because they are so small, although we can get an idea of their size from your photos. Springtails generally don't harm plants. They are verysmall insects, with a distinctive forked spring-like structure that allows them to jump quickly when they are disturbed.. Flea beetles are 1/16th to 1/8th inch long and are usually found on leaves, rather than jumping around. Here is an article that talks about these two insects and how to identify them. It may aid you in determining exactly what creature this is.
https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/springtails
https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/springtails