Sand fleas can be brought into homes through clothing or pets. Once inside, they lay their eggs in cracks or crevices, and the eggs eventually hatch into larvae and develop into adults. Sand fleas can cause a great deal of damage to a home.

Generally, "sand fleas" (which are usually tiny crustaceans called beach hoppers) do not "travel" with you in the sense of infesting your home or luggage. They live in the moist sand near the tide line and do not survive well away from that environment. However, there is a "high-fidelity" risk of true sand fleas (Tunga penetrans, also called jiggers), which are found in tropical regions of Africa and the Caribbean; these can burrow into the skin of the feet and would require medical removal. More commonly, what people call "sand flea bites" are actually from biting midges or "no-see-ums," which can occasionally hitch a ride in the folds of your beach towel or clothing. To prevent bringing any pests home, it is a best practice to shake out all beach gear thoroughly before leaving the shore and to wash all "sandy" clothes in hot water (60°C) as soon as possible. While the itchy bumps they leave behind can last for days, the "fleas" themselves will not survive the transition from the humid beach to a dry hotel room or suitcase.