Can You Eat Sand Flies?
WouterSand flies are not dangerous to eat but their bites can cause a lot of irritation. While they are mainly night-time feeders, they can bite you in the daytime too. Sand flies generally lay eggs on moist surfaces in small batches. They feed on various animals including humans. In particular, females feed on donkeys, horses, and white-tailed deer.
Although you can’t eat sand flies raw, frying them can make them tasty treats. The soft shells make them ideal for deep-frying and they burst with flavor once cooked. Almost all seasonings work well with them. Sandflies live on the shoreline and come out in large numbers during high tide. These insects live off of plankton and will be drawn to food at high tide.
Sand fleas are native to South and Central America, and the greater Caribbean islands. However, they have been introduced to Africa through travels of infected people. Most commonly, they are found in sub-Saharan countries and sandy beaches along the coast. While they are not harmful to humans, consuming them may cause parasitic infections. Sand fleas may also contain bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus, which can affect different parts of the body. Also, eating them can cause Domoic acid toxicity, which is caused by protein imbalance.
However, you should cook the sand fleas before eating them. The uncooked ones may contain the bacteria Vibrio Vulnificus, which can cause diarrhea. You can also purchase a sand flea bait online to eat them.
