Springtails: identification & treatment

Springtails like to romp about in potting soil. But are the small insects harmful at all and do they need to be controlled?

Springtails (Collembola) are found in any damp soil feeding on rotten plant material and fungi. Usually, there is enough of that in the soil – so no need to worry. It is only when the small animals appear in large numbers and can no longer find enough food, that they start damaging cultivated plants.

Springtails: characteristics

Springtails are moisture-loving, cold-tolerant insects. They live in groups inside the ground and fulfil an important role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead organic material. The decomposed material becomes humus, which in turn provides food for the plants. Some of the most common springtail species are, for example, Onychiurus fimatus or Sminthunus viridis.

What do springtails feed on?

As already mentioned above, springtails are detritivores – animals feeding on dead organic material. Their primary diet consists of rotting and dead plant material as well as fungi. However, an above-average number of springtails will result in shrinking food supply forcing the animals to feed on living roots or seedlings. That is where the problem for gardeners comes in. Big springtail population is promoted by unnecessarily high doses of organic fertiliser which provides greater food supply and therefore increasing springtail numbers.

What are springtails and what do they look like?

If you see small jumping bugs or “lice” while watering your houseplants, you have already discovered the first sign of springtails. Depending on the species, they have a well-developed jumping apparatus: a fork-like extension on their abdomen that helps them jump – a so-called furca. It usually rests on their backs but when disturbed flips down making the springtails bounce upwards in a somersault. Springtails living in deeper soil layers do not have a furca.

Springtails have a three-part body. Species living close to the surface are darker in colour, while those living in deeper layers are lighter. They also differ in body shape. Among the about 1,500 species of Central Europe, there are types with longer shapes and more ball-shaped ones. Their average size is between 0.2 and 0.5mm. For food intake springtails have mouthparts with a bite and chew mechanism or alternatively mouthparts to pierce and suck.

How to get rid of springtails

Treating springtails with water

If you have springtails in your potted plants, there is an easy way to get rid of them. Place your plants in the sink or a large pot and fill it with water. Cover the complete root ball and let it sit in water for at least half an hour. You will find the springtails floating on top and just rinse them away. Take the plant out of the bath and do not water it for some time. It may be beneficial to repot your plants after the water treatment.

Treating springtails with dryness

If you have springtails in your garden bed, try the opposite method. As they enjoy moist environments, the best way to get rid of them is to dry them out. Usually the small, jumping animals are no big deal in garden beds though as there is usually enough dead organic material on which they prefer to feed compared to your plants. You can also leave large pots of plants to dry if dipping them into water is too difficult. For springtail plagues in hydroponic cultures, repot the plants in soil or thoroughly clean the pot and add new expanded clay pebbles.

Treating springtails with predatory mites

Another solution to springtails is controlling them with predatory mites. Hypoaspis miles or Hypoaspis aculeifer, for example, are suitable. They are often sold to control fungus gnats, but they have a broad host spectrum and can also be used for springtails. They remain predatory throughout their whole life cycle and can even go without prey for a longer period. Therefore, they are ideal both for preventive treatment and for acute infestation. Predatory mites are delivered as scatter material and only need to be distributed onto the soil.

Checking the root area

The main cause of the problem is often underground. As springtails like to feed on dead material and rotting organic matter, it is recommended to check the root ball of your plants. Remove rotting parts and replace the substrate with fresh soil. Even this small step can help against springtail infestation.

Beware of Internet tips!

When searching for tips on springtail control online, you might stumble upon treatment methods that promise amazing results but unfortunately do not have the desired effect. These tips include, for example, watering the plant with lemon water. Lemon water changes the pH value in your potting soil and can therefore damage your plants. Some sensitive plants, such as orchids, are especially susceptible to damage when changing the pH value of the soil. Some sources recommend using detergent when soaking the plants to reduce the surface tension. However, only few of the numerous springtail species are able to float on the water surface, so no need to burden your plants unnecessarily. If your plant is infested with springtail species that do swim, try the drying method instead of using detergent.

Treating springtails in the house

When combating springtails in your home, the most important step is finding the source of the outbreak. Houseplants are often the place to start. Once you have cleared them of the pests, you should soon have peace in the rest of your house. As springtails revel in moist environments, they tend to inhabit places with high concentration of moisture. The first step for successful indoor springtail treatment is cleaning your home. Vacuum thoroughly and ventilate damp rooms such as bathrooms, for example. This should reduce the number of springtails.

Springtail infestation may occur in damp buildings after water damage as damp environments are conducive to springtail reproduction. It is therefore essential to find those places and dehumidify them. For larger procedures consult a specialist.

Tip: To strengthen your houseplants after an infestation, we recommend fertilising them, for example with our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food. Just add it when watering your plants.

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