Abstract.Soil analysis was carried out on samples obtained from a breeding‐site of the sandfliesPhlebotomus perniciosusNewstead,P. perfiliewi perfiliewiParrot andSergentomyia minuta(Rondani) in Sardinia. Soil texture, pH, CaCo3, organic matter and water content showed no correlation with the number of sandflies that emerged from the places where soil samples were taken. It appears that pre‐imaginal stages of these phlebotomine sandflies are associated with a relatively stable, cool and humid environment protected from sunshine and rain, rich in clay and in organic nitro