Springtails

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Collembola

What Do Springtails Look Like?

Springtails, also known as snow fleas and soil bugs, are a year-round pest that thrives in moist environments. They are quite small, typically growing no larger than ⅛ inch. They are dark in color, with most of them being grey, brown, or black. Springtails do not have the ability to fly, instead jumping in a similar manner to fleas.

What Are Springtails?

These pests’ life cycle includes three main stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Their total lifespan is approximately three years. Springtails prefer to live in soil as they feed on organic matter, such as leaf litter, mulch piles, and decaying wood, and wet surfaces like swimming pools. They are a hardy pest, known for their ability to thrive in all weather conditions. If springtails become a nuisance in any season, contact a pest control company to help neutralize the infestation.

Pest Control for Springtails

Unlike some other pests, Springtails prefer to make their home outdoors and typically are only a minor nuisance to humans. However, they can cause damage to your outdoor garden. If your plant has been infested with Springtails, try drying out the soil and removing any fallen organic material around the plant to encourage them to find a new habitat. Their durable nature makes them resistant to pesticides and other chemicals. If you suspect your garden has a springtail infestation, contact an exterminator to develop a pest control plan.

Springtails will typically avoid entering a home, but if they do, they will seek out moist areas like the kitchen and bathrooms. If large quantities of springtails are found in the home, your home could have a moisture problem or leak. Springtails might be found under a moist carpet, furniture that has been wet, or inside the walls of a home that received rain when being built and hasn’t completely dried. Drying out the area and removing any moist materials will encourage springtails to move on, or they will dry out themselves.

For more information or to request a free inspection, contact the trained technicians at Palmetto Exterminators.