How to Get Rid of Springtails

Springtails are tiny bugs, also known as snow fleas. At one time, they were believed to be insects. However, scientists now believe they should instead be categorized as hexapods because they are not advanced enough to be classified as actual insects.

These bugs are known as decomposers. They breakdown organic materials and feed on dying plants, mildew, mold, and sometimes feces from other pests or pets.

Unlike most insects, springtails do not sting or bite. They also lack wings, and they do not jump. However, if you disturb them, they have a mechanism under their body called a furcula that causes them to spring up. These bugs are very alarming when you have hundreds or thousands of them on your property. Typically, they are only a nuisance, though.

How Do You Identify Springtails?

Most look similar to fleas in color and size. However, Springtails come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Their color usually ranges from dark brown to gray, but they are also common in other colors like white, yellow, green, and even blue.

You may find them with either elongated or rounded bodies depending on the variety. Although it might be difficult to rule springtails out as fleas, you can tell the difference by squishing them between your fingers. Springtails do not have the hard body that most insects have, so they are easy to squish.

While they are not harmful or dangerous, you probably do not want them in your home. So, if you believe you have a springtail infestation, keep reading to find out how to get rid of them.

Why Do Springtails Infest Your Home?

Springtails often move indoors in dry climates in search of water. It is essential to their survival to live in a wet environment. Without a moist place to live, they will die. If you have these bugs in your yard, it is common for them to make their way inside. Also, springtail bugs multiply very quickly. So, once they make their way inside, they can become a big problem very quickly.

Since they eat organic material, they are often a sign of a potential mold problem. In your home, you are most likely to find them in places where there is the presence of mold, algae, or mildew and water. Those areas give them food and water, both of which are essential for their survival.

Getting Rid of Springtails in House

The first step to ridding your home of springtails is to find the source. Start by checking under counters in your kitchen and bathroom. If there is a leak, you will need to fix it. Once you eliminate the source of water, you can clean the area to rid it of any mold.

If the springtails are not coming from a sink area, try checking your house plants, which are another source of food and water for these little bugs. If you have a problem with springtails in your house plants, try watering them less. You can also run water through your plants in the bathtub and let them drain fully to prevent them from holding excess water.

To kill springtails on contact, you can try pouring vinegar or bleach directly on them. You can also try using detergent and water. On house plants, you can apply diatomaceous earth, which is effective at drying out the bugs.

Getting Rid of Springtails Outside Your Home

Outside your home, they are likely to be found in mulch piles, in firewood, potted plants, or anywhere else where there are rotting debris and water. Remove all rotting organic material from your yard. Move woodpiles away from the foundation of your home.

It is also a good idea to move flowerbeds away from your foundation. Leaving a space between your flowerbeds and foundation is an excellent way to prevent standing water from building up.

You should also make sure there is no standing water anywhere in your yard. If there is standing water, you will need to take measures to remove it and prevent it from collecting in the future. Outdoors, you can also try applying diatomaceous earth, but you have to be careful if you have kids or animals that frequently play in your yard.

Final Thoughts

It is usually pretty easy to get rid of springtails. If you remove water, they are almost always sure to die. However, this becomes more difficult when you have a large number of springtail bugs on your property or in your home. If you’re not having much luck eliminating them, it is better to call a professional than attempting to use a springtail spray to kill them yourself.

Some sprays say they repel springtails. However, most are not effective at killing these tiny bugs. Furthermore, using certain insecticides and pesticides can be dangerous for you and your family. An experienced professional knows the most effective ways to kill bugs and prevent them from returning in the future.