Springtails

In spite of their tiny size, springtails are nuisance pests in and around structure all across the US and throughout the world. Some entomologists consider the springtails to be separated from insects and have elevated them to the class Collembola ("the largest of the three lineages of modern hexapods").

Facts

• Springtails are the most abundant microscopic animals in the world, and are found in huge numbers in nearly every habitat. There are about 700 species of springtails occur in North America, and more than 6,000 worldwide.
• Springtails from the class Collembola have a tube beneath the abdomen, which secretes "glue"; this tube is important in grooming and allows these insects to adhere onto smooth surfaces. Thus, the name Collembola, from the Greek words "cole" meaning glue and "embolon" meaning piston.
• Springtails can be a problem in newly built structure because of damp building materials and wet plaster. In older homes they will usually be found in the kitchen, bathrooms, basements, or other areas where moisture is present.
• Springtails cause no damage to buildings and cannot bite or sting humans.
• Springtails are attracted to light and may be found in lighted areas at night.
• Springtails can jump up to 100 times their body length. They have been known to jump over 30 cm into the air at an initial velocity of 1.4 meters per second.
• Springtails have "mandibulate" mouthparts (adapted for chewing), which are withdrawn into the head when not in use.
• Some springtail species can live without food for up to three years by recycling their own waste, while others can also go into a form of dormancy.
• Species of the Collembola can be found above 21,000 feet on Mount Everest, Nepal, in volcanic vents along Hawaii's Kilauea, near the North and South Poles, and from the tops of the tallest trees to the deepest soil layers.
• Most springtails breathe through their skin or cuticle, which is very permeable to water; therefore, these insects must spend most of their time in very damp locations.

Identification

Springtails have a pair of  appendages (furcula) in the end of their abdomens. The common name springtail is derived from its behavior of springing (jumping) away by snapping its tail-like structures against the ground when disturbed. Springtails are usually light brown to cream in colors. They are tiny (1/16 to 1/8 inch in length), wingless and require very moist conditions for survival. They have oval heads with four-segmented antennae.

Biology

Springtails have an "ametabolous" life cycle, meaning that they DO NOT undergo metamorphosis. This indicates that they do not have nymphal, larval or pupal stages. Instead, springtails develop by going through a number of molts (shed their exoskeleton) as their body size is growing. Unlike other hexapods, springtails perform additional molts after reaching adulthood. Reproduction of springtail species can be complicated sometimes. For example, while parthenogenesis (reproduction without males) is common among females of some springtail species, females of other species require mating in order to lay eggs, and they are so picky about which males they desire to mate with. These females desire the males to dance for them before they actually mate. On the contrary, many males of other species leave a sperm packet on the ground that is later picked up by the female. Others place sperm with their hind legs directly into the female's reproductive organs. Females usually lay up to 400 eggs during their life span. Eggs can be laid singly or in large masses. It takes about 10 days for eggs to hatch, and the immature springtails go through three successive molts lasting 7 to 10 days before they change onto adults. The number of generations per year, the longevity of springtails and preferred temperatures are species- dependent topics, and are beyond the scope of this article. However, depending on the species, springtails can live from one week to three years. In general, they survive low temperatures and can appear in large numbers on snow surfaces (hence their nickname "snow fleas").

Habits

Due to their breathing system, soft and small bodies, springtails rapidly lose water through their cuticle. Therefore, they usually live in moist, cool, concealed places of soil, rotted lots, moss, as well as ant and termite nests. Some species occur on the surface of pools, snowfields, and other similar habitats. Springtails feed on leave litter, decaying plant materials, bacteria and fungi. Additionally, their diet may include fine roots in wet to damp soils. Springtail populations reach huge numbers, such as up to 50,000 per cubic foot of forest litter or up to 2800 per square foot in planted fields. When they reach a high population density up to 100,000 insects per cubic yard, they search for new fitting habitats. They often invade structures in dry and hot summer periods searching for moisture. Homeowners usually encounter them in large numbers and become an irritation factor in damp basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and garages. Others are found on surfaces of water, on soil of potted plants and in other moist habitats.

Treatment

Because there are little known about springtail habits and behaviors inside a structure, these hard pests have created big concerns among pest management professionals for a long time.  Usually, repeated pesticide treatments in and around homes are preformed to achieve an acceptable level of management.  But to successfully eradicate springtail problems and prevent future infestation, eliminate their entryways, find the source of the infestation and remove it. This can be achieved by implementing the following practices:

• Fix moisture problems inside the house. Pay particular attention to the wood window and doorsills with water damage.
• Repair leaking and dripping pipes.
• Remove mold related to water leaks.
• Clean up loose materials from damp floor.
• Eliminate any moist or organic matters.
• Avoid over-watering and allow the soil to dry between watering.
• Increase ventilation, artificial air movement from fans or use a dehumidifier.
• Permit proper air circulation around house foundation.
• Remove moist leaves, moldy wood items, compost piles and decaying vegetable matters.
• Remove excessive mulch. Mulch should only be 2-4 inches deep so it remains dry most of the time.
• Clip bushes and ground cover.
• Seal cracks and crevices with caulk.

 When pesticide applications are justified, perimeter, crack, crevice and spot treatments should be applied to the exterior and interior parts of a structure using EPA approved residual pesticides. Depending on the pesticide, nature of the outdoor area and the level of infestation, exterior treatments should include several feet out from the structure where springtails can be found. In order to cut callback and treatment costs, follow all instructions noted on the product labels, and carefully target springtail sources of infestation mentioned above. From a practical experience, wettable powder formulations (WP) seemed to provide better springtail management results than other formulations, especially when they are used as barrier/perimeter treatments. A desiccant dust (silica gel or diatomaceous) can be used to treat voids around bathtubs, showers, along plumbing and water pipes. However, where mulch and wood chips are present, it is recommended to use granules, as they release slowly into treated areas. Conditional on the product selected for this purpose, granules can provide over two months of residual effects. The frequent migrations of springtails from outdoors can involve continuous movement of new individuals into the structure. However using the right type of pesticide applications and formulations at the right time can deliver a satisfied management of these pests.

 Where to find springtails?

 When you see springtails in the bathroom, kitchens windowsills, bathtubs and showers, you should know that they have migrated from overly populated sites in damps and dark areas outside or inside the building. Look for springtails in the following areas:

• In mulch, moist leaves or wood chips
• Under patio slabs
• Under logs, pine-straw or wood dicks
• Under kitchen and bathroom sinks, linoleum or water tubes
• In crawl spaces and in the basements
• Around Jacuzzis and decking of the pools
• Any moist and dark area.

FAQ's

Q: I have been seeing small tiny dark bugs gathering around the windows and doorsills of my house.  From a close up view, they seamed to jump.  I have frequently vacuumed them, as well as treated with do -it- yourself products. These provided short-term break, but they keep returning in a big number. What are they? Where did they come from?

A: From your description, they could be springtails. Springtails normally occur outdoors in moist soil, under leaf letter or in moldy cool places. However, during dry and hot summer days, they invade homes from surrounding outdoor areas seeking moisture.

Q: I live in southern Minnesota near the lake. I found small tiny little bugs in my kitchen. These critters are terrible and can hop like fleas. From browsing online, I have come to be certain that they are springtails. Do they bite or cause a structural damage?

A: Springtails feed on decaying organic materials, fungi, bacteria, mold or mildew. They do not bite nor do they spread disease-causing organisms or damage household furniture or structure.

Q: I have these jumping blackish bugs in my bathtub.  I have tried vacuuming, fogging, ammonia, draino and Clorox, and now we have more than before. Their numbers appear to fluctuate every day. I may discover a couple of them in one day and the next day I may encounter dozens. In fact, I had pest control services several times in the past, but they have not been able to solve the problem. I was told that they are springtails, and they live in damp soil outside, therefore, they will keep coming to my house and no amount of pest spray will ever eliminate them. Are they multiplying in my house or just coming out of the plumbing?  How do I get rid of them?  Please help.

A: If all necessary means of surviving for springtails are available inside a structure (moisture, organic matter, and shelter), they will thrive as much as they will do in outdoor environments. For example, springtails can live a long time on indoor potted plants or inside the walls in buildings with high humidity feeding on mold and mildew associated with water leaks, condensation that occurs along the plumbing, or in cracks found in a humid area with bathtub or a shower. In order to get rid of them, it is important to know that springtails cannot live without moisture, for this reason, you find them in the shower or bathtub. Thus, the only lasting/permanent management approach is to essentially prevent their moisture sources and strive them to death or leave. This can be accomplished via a number of practices such as fixing all water leaks in your house, reducing the relative humidity by using a dehumidifier if possible, removing or limiting over-watering indoor potted plants, as well as eliminating moisture problems and standing water in and around the house. Also, to help excluding them from entering the home, cutback tree branches that touch the building make a plant-free band of rock, gravel or other inorganic material extending 2 feet to 4 feet out from the foundation. Besides, call your pest management professional (PMP) to apply outdoor barrier treatments around the entry points and the perimeter of the house using springtail's EPA approved insecticides. Additionally, if needed, your PMP will apply limited indoor crack, crevice and spot treatments to places where springtails have been seen and/or to cool, hidden and moist areas in wall, ceiling or floor voids. For more information about springtails management, call ADAM'S PEST CONTROL, INC at 800-228-2214.