If you live outside of Iowa please do not submit a sample without contacting the Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic. Springtail Springtails are tiny, insects frequently found in houses, although they occur more commonly outdoors. Please see our website for current forms, fees, and instructions on preserving and mailing insects.Ĭontact information for each states diagnostic laboratory for U.S. The Iowa State University Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic will identify your insect, provide information on what it eats, life cycle, and if it is a pest the best ways to manage them. Do you live in Iowa and have an insect you would like identified? To see additional images of springtails, please visit our insect image gallery. Appropriate sprays are the aerosol or pump dispenser ready-to-use products from garden centers and similar stores that indicate on the label that the product is specifically made for use on houseplants. Houseplant insecticide sprays can be applied to the soil surface and to cracks around and under the pot to control springtails. Allow soil of potted plants to nearly dry out between waterings to prevent springtails from flourishing. Indoors, this includes places such as kitchens, bathrooms, moist basements, soil of potted plants, and around window frames. The number of springtails in houseplant potting soil can be reduced by avoiding overwatering. Damage caused by springtails Springtails feed on algae, fungi, and decaying vegetable matter and are abundant only in damp, moist or very humid locations. For more information on insecticides please see this article. Residual sprays can be applied to surfaces, cracks and crevices where the springtails occur.

Insecticide sprays can be used to control springtails. Eliminating moist places of concealment will be the best control for springtails. The actual procedure to accomplish this will depend on the situation, although fans or dehumidifiers may be of some benefit. Since springtails are generally restricted to moist or humid habitats, one means of obtaining control is to lower the humidity or remove excess moisture. However, they do not harm established plants. Springtails may be abundant in overwatered, potted houseplants. They are annoying as pests only by being present. Springtails are harmless they do not damage anything within the house. Springtails feed on algae, fungi, and decaying vegetable matter and are abundant only in damp, moist or very humid locations. The tail can be then released, launching the springtail into the air. The jumping motion is made possible by a forked tail bent forward under the body and attached to the underside of the abdomen. They are wingless, and move by crawling or jumping.

Springtails are tiny, insects frequently found in houses, although they occur more commonly outdoors.

Actual size springtails