Sounds like fleas.

Springtails are soft bodied and would squish easily.
I agree w/ rhizo -- most likely are fleas.

If you are in the United States your local office of your state universities Cooperative Extension Service would be a good resource.

Here is a link that might be useful: USD CES offices

why not talk with an exterminator ....

like any other professional.. i dont understand why they would not offer you a quote for the job ... along with IDing the pest ... and allow you to make a decision as to what to do ...

you have your source of information.. you are .. perhaps.. being a bit to proud to use them ...

as in any other job .. a couple quotes.. will get you enough info to make an informed decision ...

but what you left out.. do you have pets??? .. and are they being treated by the vet with the monthly flea meds ... your vet might even be able to answer your question ...

a year or two back ... the summer right after the mildest winter in a century here in MI ... the vet confirmed a horrible infestation of fleas ... no winter kill ...

and along with increasing the pets dosage ... and bombing the house ... the problem was eradicated ...

the following winter was normal.. and it did not happen again .. here in MI ...

you need to take care of this... before the house is shut up for winter..

ken

Thanks all with your responses and cats as pets it's sounding like fleas.

Be extremely careful about your control methods, as cats are very sensitive to chemicals. Talk to your vet....I assume that your cats are on the appropriate flea, tick, heartworm prevention medication. will be a good place to start for information in how to control a household infestation.

Examine the cats carefully for signs of the living fleas, eggs, and frass which will be a sign that the meds are not working. If cats have fleas, tapeworms are often a secondary problem.