Springtails are very small insects. They range from 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch long, so you may have come across them many times and not realized it. Springtails are everywhere, so chances are good you have run into them at some point or another.
The name springtail is derived from the fact that these bugs can jump very far using their tails as a “spring.” You will find springtails in moist conditions where there is access to organic materials such as rotting wood, wet leaves, decaying plants, and soil. Springtails like to eat pollen, algae, fungi, or decaying organic matter.
Springtails are normally found outside but still get into homes quite easily. Because they are so small, it is nearly impossible to seal openings they can access. In the home, they are attracted to houseplants with moist soil and other damp places. Springtails in houseplants are usually only found in soil that is extremely damp or in soil that has a great deal of peat. Though they don’t harm the plant, they feed on the decaying roots and fungi.
Are Springtails Harmful To Humans?
Springtails are not harmful to people at all. They don’t bite or sting, they don’t damage our homes, they don’t get into our food, and they don’t destroy furniture or clothes. They are a benefit to the soil in our garden because they have such an important role in the decomposition of organic materials. Springtails help cycle nutrients and are a part of helping form a soil microstructure. Specifically, these little critters benefit plant health by eating the fungi that could cause disease in plants.
How To Prevent Springtails In Your Columbia Home
While springtails in Columbia aren’t harmful, nobody wants a bunch of tiny little bugs hanging out in their home. That’s why springtails fall into the category of nuisance pests, and like any pest in your home, you want to get rid of them.
The following measures will help keep springtails out of your home and outdoors where they belong:
- Use soil with low peat content.
- Water plants less frequently. This can curtail the appearance of springtails because the soil won’t be as moist.
- Wash any area where springtails have been found.
- Pouring vinegar on springtails will kill them, but once they have infested your home, this method of elimination may be practical.
- Ensure you have proper moisture control and a good ventilation system in the home.
Let’s face it, when springtails do invade a home or building of any kind, they do so in large numbers. While they aren’t harmful or destructive, they can be annoying and unsightly. Once you have them, they aren't easy to eliminate which is why prevention is so important. Even with prevention methods, however, you can still get them into your home and that isn’t something you want to deal with.
Professional Springtail Help In Columbia
Do you suspect you have a problem with springtails in your home? Call the professionals at Aiken Pest Control to help you solve the problem. Our qualified staff can answer any questions you have, help you determine if you have a springtail problem, and help you get rid of the springtails that have already invaded your home. We offer guaranteed results and customer care that exceeds all others.