Is it possible for fleas to settle on clothes hanging on a clothesline?

Question

Today I brought the clothes in off the clothesline (in a basket) and started to put them away. As I was about half way finished, I noticed these little bugs around the clothes/basket, settling on my bedspread. They were tiny and jumped - I think they may be fleas!!!! I killed each one I saw personally (at least 50). I have vacuumed and washed as much as possible in case they spread. Do you think they are fleas? What else could they be? My husband did cut the lawn today while the clothes were on the line. I'm guessing that is what caused this since I often hang clothes outside and have never had this issue.

Thanks for your responses!

Answer 1

YES

Answer 2

Could be gnats. Annoying little buggers. We have a ton of them - they live in the grass. If they were fleas I think that your hub would be scratching his eyes out being in the thick of it.  I tried to do some searching but the bugs vary with each part of the country.

Let me ask you this - I was picking dandelions for our guinea pig :)  and there are these small black bugs on the dandelions - more than you would expect that there would be on such a little flower. Did the bugs you found look like little fat eyelashes?

Answer 3

Er, yea they could be fleas, and maybe not just 'cause the lawn was mowed. I'm guessing you don't have a clothes dryer, since that would be easier. If you keep experiencing this problem, just hang them up inside.

Answer 4

Possible - yes.  Probable - NO.

Fleas tend to be on the ground or at least low.  They feel the vibrations of animals and then jump onto them.  They can jump a few feet. There is no reason for them to go onto clean clothes hanging on a line - it would just be a random spot as would any grass or other low plant life.

There are thousands of type of small black bugs - even locally.  Have you had problems in the past? If not I highly doubt it. Fleas also have preferences - there are different ones that prefer dogs vs deer, etc.  

This time of year many insects hatch out and start the cycle anew. I would not worry to much about it.