Springtails

APPEARANCE:
Springtails are wingless insects that are about 1/16 of an inch long. Young springtails tend to be white in color and as adults tend to be whitish, bluish, or even a dark gray in color. They get their name from their ability to leap into the air.

HABITAT:
Springtails are constantly on the lookout for moisture. They may invade homes or move to more favorable outdoor locations such as swimming pools in search of water. They can enter homes through many different areas due to their small size. They can enter around window screens, underneath doorways, vent pipes, or even soffit areas. They can be attracted to light, thus entering through windows or under doors.

DIET:
Springtails feed on dead and decaying organic matter. They feed on decaying plant material, fungi, molds, or even algae if available.

LIFE CYCLE/REPRODUCTION:
They lay their round eggs in small groups in moist soil, especially where organic matter is abundant. Springtails have a hard exoskeleton, three pairs of legs, a head, thorax and abdomen region.

TYPES OF DAMAGE:
Some springtails may damage plants by chewing on the roots and leaves of seedlings. Although they may chew the roots, springtails rarely cause enough damage to plants to warrant any treatment of the plants. Springtails do not bite or otherwise harm people or pets. The biggest problem with springtails is their large population size and their ability to take up residence in home owners garages, patios, greenhouses and other locations where moisture is present.

MANAGEMENT:
The key to management of springtail infestations is to reduce moisture and excess organic matter in gardens, plant pots, and around building foundations. This is the most important aspect of springtail control. Advanced Wildlife Control does use pesticides to control springtail populations, but they often don’t provide long-term control by themselves, due to the overwhelming size of their populations.

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