Springtails are tiny insects that are not harmful but multiply quickly and create large populations. These pests can seem to appear out of thin air and take over any space that provides them with the moisture and decaying organic matter they need to survive.
Read here to learn about springtails and our pest control services in Fort Worth. The more you understand their behaviors and preferred habitats, the easier it will be to keep them away from your property and family.
Understanding Springtails: Insight Into Their Behavior And Habits
The most important thing to understand about springtails is that they have high moisture needs. These insects thrive in damp environments like densely wooded areas, leaf litter, gardens, and the moist soil around our homes and pool areas. Homeowners also regularly discover these pests gathering under wood piles, potted plants, trash cans, and compost bins. Springtails feed on decaying plant matter, fungi, algae, and bacteria, all things they find in plentiful amounts in our outdoor spaces.
Unfortunately, springtails don’t just stay outside; they can also find their way into your house. Their small size allows them to move inside through tiny cracks and crevices. Springtails in homes will migrate to areas of high humidity, like crawl spaces, basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Springtail populations tend to explode after periods of rain or when humidity levels are high. The most identifying feature of the springtail is its furcula. The furcula is a fork-like structure located at the end of the abdomen. To move quickly, they release the furcula, which propels them forward. When springtails are disturbed, they jump and form an identifying “cloud” of insects.
The Springtail Nuisance: Why Are They A Problem?
Springtails are generally harmless to people; they are more inconvenient than dangerous. Though you shouldn’t be overly concerned with springtails, they are problematic, and you should take action to eliminate them.
Problems caused by springtails include:
- Large numbers of springtails can overrun indoor or outdoor spaces.
- Their jumping behaviors startle people and can make you uncomfortable inside or outside your home.
- Springtails are often mistaken for fleas and can cause unnecessary concern.
Additionally, because springtails are attracted to dampness, their presence can indicate a moisture issue you need to solve. Leaky pipes, irrigation systems, clogged gutters, low-lying areas that collect puddling rainwater, and overgrown vegetation provide the moisture springtails need to thrive.
Springtail Prevention: Sealing Entry Points And Moisture Control
Help prevent springtails from finding a way into your home by sealing common entry points and eliminating excess moisture in and around your home.
Use these springtail solutions to keep these pests away:
- Quickly repair leaky pipes, hoses, and fixtures.
- Do not overwater gardens, and make sure irrigation systems aren’t leaking.
- Remove wood piles, leaf piles, and other yard debris that collects moisture from your yard.
- Use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels in your home.
- Use caulk or expandable foam to seal cracks in your home’s foundation.
- Ensure gutters are clear and downspouts are directing water away from your home.
- Repair damaged wood trim around your home’s doors.
- Install door sweeps on all exterior doors.
- Keep potted plants, wood piles, and outdoor trash cans up off the ground.
Also, moisture will collect under potted plants, wood piles, and outdoor trash cans; control springtails by storing these items off the ground.
An Effective Springtail Removal Method: Contact Us Today!
To remove springtails that have found their way into your Fort Worth home, partner with us at All-Safe Pest & Termite. First, we will inspect your home and identify the present pests. If springtails have found their way inside, we will develop a plan of action to eliminate these unwanted pests. We deliver high-quality home pest control in Fort Worth to stop springtails and other common household pests from becoming a future issue. Reach out today for help with springtails and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Fort Worth.