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University
of Rhode Island GreenShare Factsheets
Springtails
Order: Collembola
Springtails are minute, wingless
insects about 1/16 to 1/8 inch (1 to 2 mm) long. They sometimes
alarm homeowners when seen
outdoors in enormous numbers, appearing as "piles of soot" in
driveways, backyards, on mud puddle surfaces, etc. Occasionally,
they enter the home in damp areas such as in basements, cellars,
bathrooms, and kitchens, especially near drains, leaking water
pipes, sinks, and in the soil of over-watered house plants. They
usually appear in the spring and early summer but can be found
all year round. Some are known as "snow fleas," because they
appear on the top of snow during late winter and early spring.
Springtails do not bite humans, spread disease or damage household
furnishings.
Springtails may be white, gray, yellow, orange, metallic
green, lavender or red; some are patterned or mottled. They get
their name from the ability to catapult themselves (leap) through
the air three to four inches by means of a tail-like mechanism
(furcula) tucked under the abdomen. When disturbed, this appendage
functions as a spring, propelling them into the air away from
the danger source. Young resemble adults except for size and
color. Eggs are spherical.
Springtails occur in nearly every climatic condition throughout
the world--in high mountain regions, pools, streams, snow-covered
fields, forest floors, etc. They live in the soil, leaf mold,
decaying logs, organic mulches, termite nests, snow, greenhouses,
mushroom cellars, and on the surface of freshwater pools and
under bark. Populations are often high, up to 100,000 per cubic
meter of surface soil--many millions per acre. Most feed on algae,
fungi, and decaying vegetable matter, and they are abundant only
in damp, moist or very humid locations. Others feed on plant
roots or nibble on young plant leaves and germinating seeds in
hotbeds. They are beneficial in that they reduce decayed vegetation
to soil (functioning as recyclers). They are among the few organisms
known to break down DDT in the soil. Some can reproduce at temperatures
as low as 40 degrees F. They move by crawling or jumping, followed
by periods of rest.
Springtails may become a pest because of their abundance
or because they invade homes through doorways, screens or other
openings. Buildings with constant high humidity may be overrun
with springtails. Springtails have chewing mouthparts, but they
rarely, if ever, damage house plants (roots or leaves). Frequently,
plants begin to decline and homeowners blame the springtails.
Over-watering is usually the culprit for the unhealthy appearance
of plants if springtails are present.
Prevention: Springtails are commonly found where
there are sources of moisture. Any means to provide a drying
effect in the home provides effective control--using a fan or
dehumidifier, for example, or repairing plumbing leaks and dripping
pipes. Avoid over-watering potted house plants and allow the
soil to dry between waterings. Outside the home, remove excessive
mulch, moist leaves, prune shrubbery and ground cover and eliminate
low, moist areas around the house foundation to permit proper
air circulation. Remove wet, moldy wood or other moldy items.
Springtails are attracted to light and may pass under lighted
doorways at night.
Insecticides: Infested potted houseplant soil may
be treated by soil drenches of Safers soap according to label
directions.
Adapted from the Virginia
Cooperative Extension and the Ohio State Unviersity Extension,
1999
Pesticides
are poisonous! Read and follow all safety precautions on labels.
Handle carefully and store in original containers out of reach
of children, pets or livestock. Dispose of empty containers
immediately, in a safe manner and place. Pesticides should never
be stored with foods or in areas where people eat.
When trade names are used for identification, no product endorsement
is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar materials.
Be sure that the pesticide you intend to use is registered for
the state of use.
The user of this information assumes all risk for personal injury
or property damage.
For more
information, call the URI CE Gardening and Food Safety Hotline
at 1-800-448-1011 or (401)874-2929 from outside Rhode Island;
Monday-Thursday between 9 am and 2 pm.
University
of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension provides equal program
opportunities.
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