How To Kill and Get Rid Of Springtails Snow Fleas

Springtails

Springtails are tiny soft-bodied insects measuring about 1/16 inch in length.  They are wingless insects that are gray, black, or white in color.  Their name comes from their ability to jump as high as eight inches off the ground because of an appendage under their abdomen known as a furcula.  Their ability to jump assists them in avoiding predators.  Though they do not bite and are harmless to humans, their ability to jump is startling.  Springtails can have an elongated and cylindrical body shape, or they can be compact and spherical.  Regardless of the shape, springtails generally have between four and six long antennae.  Their mouths are concealed by cheeks.

 

Types of Springtails and Snow Fleas

There are many types of springtails.  Their colors and body shapes vary, but most are similar in size to and can be much smaller than fleas.  They all tend to have a humpback appearance, but a few types of springtails do not have the furcula appendage.   

Facts about Springtails

Springtails reproduce quickly usually within three to five weeks.  They are typically found in large numbers.  Sometimes called snow fleas, springtails are able to survive cold temperatures and can be spotted in the winter.  Their diet consists of fungi and mold.

Where to find and locate Springtails

Because of their desire to eat fungi and mold, springtails are attracted to dark, moist areas such as basements, garages, kitchens, or bathrooms.  They can infest behind the walls in these areas or be visible on the surface. Springtails are hearty insects in the sense that they can survive in cold and warm temperatures with the exceptions being dry desert-like conditions or extremely cold weather.

How to kill and get rid of Springtails and Snow Fleas

To eliminate the possibility of a springtail infestation, you should keep the house clean and free of mold.  Also, you should use a dehumidifier in the basement to reduce the moisture that attracts springtails. Vegetation on the outside of the structure must be cut back and kept away from the structure and holes, gaps sealed with caulk or putty. Exclusion and keeping them out of the home is always the first line of defense.

Natural and Organic Springtail Control Tips

The simplest way to remove springtails indoors is to simply vacuum them up. This method is only effective in areas with minimal infestation. 

In heavily infested areas, other alternatives should be attempted.  One of these alternatives is the use glue or sticky traps such as the EcoSafe Sticky Glue Trap. Simply place EcoSafe Sticky Glue Traps on window sills, floors, under cabinets and other areas to trap Springtails. EcoPCO ECO Exempt G Granules.  This is an organic product derived from essential plant oils such as clove oil and thyme oil that has a botanical scent.  Like traditional pesticides, it has a quick kill capacity and residual protection, but it is safe to use around children and pets.  ECO Exempt G Granules are generally intended for outdoor use so you may only want to use it in non-living areas of the house such as unfinished basements, garages, attics, or crawl spaces.  It could also be used on the outdoor perimeter of the house to prevent future springtail infestations.  If you prefer not to kill the springtails, you can use rubber gloves and physically pick up the insects and take them to a suitable outdoor environment such as in the mulch where they can continue to survive.  However, if their new home becomes dry, the springtails will once again be in search of moisture and food.

Sprays, baits, dusts and products for Springtail and Snowflea Control

Indoor Springtail and Snow Flea Control

Indoor Springtail control can be obtained by using Talstar Professional, Demon WP, UpCyde, or Pro V One Aerosol. Simply spray these products along window sills, baseboards, inside cabinets and other areas where Springtails occur. If Springtails are found in the bathtub or shower, they are simply searching for moisture. Rinse out the bath or shower and treat the area with any of these products.

Outdoor Springtail and Snow Flea Control

Outdoor Springtail control can be obtained by spraying the lawn, under shrubs, vegetation, and around the perimeter of the home with Talstar Professional, Demon WP or using Talstar Granules or Bifen Granules. Springtails ALWAYS begin outdoors, so beginning the treatment outdoors is highly recommended. Sometimes, simply treating outdoors will solve the indoor problems or make the indoor Springtail infestation much easier to manage with non-chemical measures such as Vacuums, etc.

In extreme cases when insecticides and traps do not work, fumigation by a professional pest control company may be necessary to get rid of the springtails.

Technician's Notes On Springtail Control

Springtails are usually a neighborhood problem and not specific to homes or buildings. Treating the perimeter and lawn on a regular basis helps to control problems before they become a problem indoors. Rotating the use of products outdoors helps in fighting insecticide resistance.