The presence of springtails can be alarming when they are found in unexpected places. You may suddenly start to see them in large numbers in your yard, plant pots, or even around your house. You search for answers, finding that the online discourse is daunting, disorganized, and discouraging. In this post I will explore common places where springtails appear and comprehensively discuss whether or not springtails should be welcomed and options to prevent or eliminate them.
Springtails are among the most common animals on land and are an essential component of the environment; they break down organic matter and enrich soil and some species even pollinate plants. Springtails get their name because of their tail-like organ called the furcula which allows them to spring into the air and away from danger. Springtails are harmless to humans and pets. Note that I am not qualified to recommend potent chemical pesticides and will not be recommending them in this post. I may update this post as I learn more.
Identifying the issue:
Is this really springtails we're dealing with? Springtails come in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes and can be difficult to identify. Commonly animals such as mites, fleas, beetles, barklice/booklice and thrips will be mistaken as springtails. Resources such as bugguide.net are excellent for identifying the bugs you're seeing and comparing photos to get a rough idea of the type of animal you're dealing with. Similarly there is many arthropod identification groups on social media that you can post photos to before proceeding.
Springtails tend to be extremely small and the kinds you are likely to run into in daily life are just two millimeters or smaller in length. See the photos below to get an idea of what the common springtail types you may see look like:
Common environments you will encounter springtails and determining a course of action:
-Additional Resources:
-bugspray.com and the "Springtail Infestation Support" group on Facebook contain additional information and can recommend pesticide treatment routines. My guide takes a look at other approaches besides widespread pesticide treatment. Some cases will require pesticide treatment so these resources are a great option if all else fails.
-Foreword:
-If you are experiencing a springtail infestation or overpopulation understand that things will often get worse before they get better. Treating for springtails and removing their habitat will cause them to be out in the open much more often for a time. It may take 2-3 months to start seeing results.
-Outdoors | Yards and Gardens
-Springtails are among the most common animals on land and are extremely resilient. It is impossible to completely eradicate them from your shared spaces outdoors. Fortunately springtails are harmless and are a sign of good soil health. Pesticides are often recommended for treatment but rarely effective, especially long term. Removing spaces where they feed and reproduce tends to be the most effective and least costly way to lower their populations in your yard.
-Mulch, paving stones, patios, compost piles and other areas of the yard or garden that retain moisture and/or contain organic material are ideal places for springtails to feed and reproduce. Springtails require access to high humidity to survive and will seek out places that retain moisture. Bagging lawn trimmings and maintaining a well manicured lawn can reduce springtail numbers.
-Springtails benefit the health of your yard or garden by consuming decaying organic material and producing useable soil for plants. They may be bothersome when you notice them jumping around or crawling onto you or your pets but understanding their harmless role in nature and taking steps to limit their numbers can do wonders for your peace of mind.
-Understand that there is only so much you can do to eliminate springtails in your yard or garden. They are resilient to even the most pricey pesticides and will always exist in some numbers in your shared spaces.
-Outdoors | Siding, Window Sills, Patios and Driveways
-Springtails in large numbers in these places can be bothersome. The ideas from the above section apply here as well and here is some additional information:
-STEM is a plant based product which can be sprayed in troublesome areas to eliminate and prevent springtails.
-New home builds or other construction disrupts springtail populations and may lead to more being seen in these areas. New construction also may trap above-ambient humidity levels which attracts springtails.
-Inspect siding for moisture issues if springtails are often seen on siding. If moisture is getting behind the siding it becomes an ideal habitat for springtails. In this case the springtails are merely a symptom of a structural issue.
-Maintaining clean gutters and roof can eliminate a potential home for springtails.
-Perimeter treatment with diatomaceous earth is an option to keep springtails from reaching your home. Diatomaceous earth is a natural abrasive powder that fatally damages the exoskeletons of springtails.
-Patios and driveways are smooth surface where springtails are easily visible. Reducing potential breeding and feeding grounds and maintaining clean patio and driveway surfaces is a good option to reduce the frequency springtails are seen in these places.
-Outdoors | Other
-Snow flea is a term used for springtails which appear on the surface of snow. They are typically black or bright yellow in color. These springtails do not bite and are completely harmless. They are most often seen on snow in times when the air temperature is above or just below freezing temperature. They spend warmer months out of sight and do not pose a risk of being bothersome to humans or pets.
-Sometimes large numbers of springtails can be seen floating on swimming pools. Often this is a sign that the yard is overpopulated or the springtails are seeking moisture during dry times. Following the above advice and making a perimeter around your pool can help.
-In some places seasonal rain brings large numbers of slow-moving dark colored springtails to the surface. These springtails are often seen on the surface of puddles or migrating across driveways, sidewalks, etc. because of these rains. This is a rare sight and they will soon retreat back into the soil.
-Some springtails are adapted for life on the surface of water such as Podura aquatica. These springtails almost never get to bothersome population sizes, are restricted to permanent natural bodies of still water and are better off left alone.
-Indoors | Bathrooms, Kitchens, Showers, Tubs, Sinks and Drains
-Springtails can occasionally be found in these places in nearly every home. These are places that hold moisture and are an island of safety for the occasional springtail that finds their way inside. A few here and there can be ignored but if bothersome numbers are present here is some steps you can take.
-Running a dehumidifier dries out the air and makes indoor spaces unlivable for springtails.
-STEM is a plant based product which can be sprayed in troublesome areas to eliminate and prevent springtails.
-Hot water down drains can kill springtails within them but if drains are an access point you may need to clean them out with drain cleaner. Keeping U-traps filled will prevent springtails from coming up through drains.
-Identifying access points such as holes in a window sill can prevent springtails from finding their way inside.
-A larger issue such as a leak behind a wall or under the floor can create areas where springtails reproduce. If you are certain the springtails are not coming from outside then they must have a permanently moist space within the home to be reproducing.
-Indoors | Other Areas of the Home
-Springtails in other areas of the home can be extremely stressful. In some rare cases hundreds or thousands can be seen all over the house at once. Your first step is to check for any moisture issues and follow the steps in the previous section before proceeding. Here is some additional information:
-Use a dehumidifier. Sometimes the ambient humidity inside is higher than outside which makes your house a welcome retreat for springtails escaping drought.
-Rain can drive springtails out of their homes and into yours.
-Laying a perimeter around your home with diatomaceous earth or exterminator-recommended pesticides can prevent springtails from reaching your home.
-Check for and seal access points from the outside.
-STEM is a plant based product which can be sprayed in troublesome areas to eliminate and prevent springtails.
-Sticky traps in trouble areas or areas that may be an access point prevents springtails from making it further into the house.
-New homes often trap higher-than-ambient humidity within them, dehumidifiers can help. New construction also disrupts springtail habitat and the displaced springtails may end up inside.
-Poor quality construction may trap moisture and/or create access point for springtails. Ensure that your siding is not trapping moisture behind it.
-Sometimes springtails are seen crawling out of vents. Ensure that your vents are not holding moisture and to prevent them gaining access through the vents there are very fine stainless steel sieve meshes which can be placed over the vents to allow air through but not springtails.
-Sometimes springtails are seen crawling out of outlets. This indicates that they are within the walls. Diatomaceous earth can be dusted in the crevices to control springtail populations.
-Basements are often moist and mildewy and can be an ideal habitat for springtails. Drying out and cleaning basement spaces can prevent springtails here.
-Agriculture can sometimes disrupt massive numbers of springtails, if you are seeing a large influx of springtails shortly after a nearby field is harvested this may be why.
-The guidance in the Outdoors sections above can reduce the springtail populations on your property and reduce the amounts which you see inside. If you have an indoor infestation it is important to treat outside as well.
-Research pesticide treatments around your perimeter, within walls and under floors.
-Plant Pots
-Springtails very commonly come in with potting soil. Springtails in plant pots are beneficial as they consume organics and the soil and produce useable soil for the plants.
-Springtails may damage very sensitive plant parts in rare cases or they may make you uncomfortable. Treatment can be as simple as baking or freezing your soil before use and thoroughly rinsing your plants before potting.
-Springtails will be impossible to keep out of outdoor plant pots and should be welcomed.
-Thrips and other common plant pests are often mistaken for springtails or vice versa. Familiarize yourself with common springtails that appear alongside plants such as Folsomia and Lepidocyrtus. Lepidocyrtus in particular are often mistaken for fungus gnats.
Additional Notes:
-Springtails do not infest humans or pets.
-Springtail mouthparts are incapable of biting humans or pets.
-Springtails may cause allergic reactions in rare cases.
-Springtails require access to moist spaces for reproduction.
-Springtails do not necessarily "nest" but large numbers can be found in moist areas rich in organic material.
-Springtails are almost completely harmless to plants but some species may feed on very sensitive parts of plants in rare cases.
-Springtails are very important in nature, they are environmental cleaners which break down organic matter and pollinate plants. They are also an essential prey item for many animals.
-Springtails are an interesting pet to many people and are very useful for reptile and terrarium enthusiasts.
-Counseling may be useful if springtails are causing you mental anguish.
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