Can Sand Fleas Be Eaten?
Although sand fleas are harmless, they are not considered edible. They must be cooked or boiled before eating. While washing is important to remove debris and external parasites, boiling kills the parasites and softens the hard outer shell. Although the taste of cooked sand fleas is bland, they can be seasoned with spices.
Sand fleas are best cooked. Fried sand fleas are sweeter and more delicious when prepared properly. Cooked sand fleas are also delicious, especially when served with fresh vegetables. They are similar in taste to crabs. Sand fleas are also excellent bait for game fish, but be aware that they can carry various parasites. It’s not a good idea to eat them raw, as they can cause a variety of diseases.
To harvest sand fleas, you need to go to a beach with clear water. You’ll need a rake and bucket filled with water. In swells, this work can be very wet. You can even mail-order rakes.
Sand fleas are a very interesting critter. They are sometimes found on the legs of beach goers, but are not harmful to humans. In fact, they have several benefits that make them worthy of a try. They contain anti-coagulants that make them easier to ingest. However, some people are leery of trying sand fleas because they are too small.