Springtail infestations and where to treat
Springtails behave in a certain way that make them one of the most annoying and frustrating pests to control. There are many reasons why. First, I will list why they can be so frustrating. Second, I'll list some springtail facts so you can better understand this pest and last, I'll list what's most important when it comes to solving a local problem.
Why are springtail infestations so frustrating? Here is the short list…
- When springtails start to appear in your home, you're not seeing the "real" problem. Local treatments inside the home won't stop the invasion and if you've been spraying inside where you see them, you know exactly what I mean.
- Springtails can appear on freshly treated surfaces and you can't imagine how they can still be alive after all the spray you just applied!
- Springtails are a pest most service companies aren't prepared to handle. Consequently their treatments won't stop the problem and many times it will appear to make it worse. Additionally, there are many companies that refuse to even treat for this pest. But how can a treatment make the problem worse? This happens because many of the commonly used products these days act as flushing agents and when applied to the areas where the springtails are active, the chemical will both alert and flush springtails that aren't sprayed directly. The end result could be a mass exodus away from the spray which could route them inside the home.
- Springtails can invade by the thousands and they can do it quickly. Your home can become a mess in a matter of minutes once they emerge and many times this will happen at bad times (like when guests are visiting).
- Springtails are largely misunderstood so it's hard to get good answers when it comes to solving a local problem. This just adds to the frustration anyone with a problem can feel.
- Springtails will many times have established "paths" or what we call "exodus trails". These will be used over and over. Many times one house on the block or one building in a series can be the "end of the trail" so the net effect is a channeling of springtails from an acre or more to just one yard or home. Suffice to say this can be very frustrating to the person seemingly targeted!
Some springtail facts..
- Springtails nest down in the ground feeding on organic matter like dead plants, small microbes and anything recyclable.
- Springtails are the food of many insects. If you allow springtails to thrive on your property, they will most assuredly attract other pests like beetles, centipedes, roaches, ants, crickets and just about any other insect.
- Springtail problems start in dirt. They tend to live in topsoil where it's moist and damp. They love flower beds, lawns where grass clippings are recycled and left as mulch, up under pine bark, pine straw and most any wood chip bed as well as under rocks, slabs and any moist ground where it's both dark, shady and dank.
- Homes with basements usually have the top soil removed prior to the concrete being poured which can help keep them out of the home for a year or so after it's built. Slab homes have their concrete poured right on top of the springtails so within months of the home being built it will succumb to the springtail migrations and become infested. This is why so many new homeowners experience invasions and wonder how this can be happening to their new home.
- Springtails migrate when populations grow large or when they are attempting to move away from extreme heat, cold or moisture. This is when you start seeing them inside the home or up on the top of the ground. In fact, they will commonly migrate out of the ground in the winter during a warm period when the snow melts. At this time the saturated soil will cause them to rise up and out of the water where they'll appear on top of the snow. This may tend to happen at certain times of the year but in general, it will happen only when the population is large enough to support the migration and when it is capable, the conditions must exist to make them migrate. For these reasons you may see several migrations a year but then none the following year even though they are still present in the soil.
- Springtails will die once exposed and cannot live out in the open for any significant length of time.
- Springtails do not infest dressers, furniture, clothing, people, pets, rugs or anywhere out in the open where you see them. Again, all the springtails you see have left the confines of the ground nest seeking a new place to live and simply made a wrong turn. If left alone, they'll die. But if the problem area is left untreated, you'll continue to see them every time they migrate. Granted this might not happen much when your region is in a dry spell but when moisture abounds, so too will the springtails.
- There is no pesticide strong enough to stop them once they start invading. In other words, treating inside the home on top of baseboards, foundation walls, around door frames and windows won't stop them from getting inside. No doubt these treatments will help to prevent them from living out in the open as long as they might but again, they would naturally die anyway. But my point here is don't waste your time focusing on these areas; if you want stop them from entering the home, you'll need to treat the outside and in most cases this area will be both large and will require a lot of applications.
What will not work or help the problem!
- Simply spraying the inside of the home. This is a complete waste and though doing it won't hurt, it won't solve the problem.
- Spraying furniture, rugs, walls, attics, basements or crawl spaces.
- Washing your clothes, bedding, floors or countertops.
- Pouring bleach down the drain.
- Worrying about where they might be.
So then what is important if you want to control springtails?
- Moisture. First and foremost, springtails love moisture. When present, springtails will thrive. When absent, they dry up and disappear. Sometimes the moisture comes from excessive rainfall which you cannot control. Other times it comes from a neighbors sprinkler system which you probably still can't control. But your own watering can be controlled and if you aren't willing to reduce it, you'll need to treat the areas with some BIFEN GRANULES to keep it springtail free. An ongoing treatment regime will keep your soil springtail free and this alone is what will keep them out of the house.
- Flower beds, vegetable gardens, pine straw mulch piles, compost piles, potted plants, wood chip beds, grass clippings, leaves, weed barriers and just about anything that covers the ground can serve as a sort of "springtail oven" that will grow populations quickly if left untreated.
- When treating outside, don't think small; think big. In most cases, it's just about impossible to narrow down just where the springtails are coming from so don't try. Instead, use the "shotgun" approach and treat as much of the land surrounding the house as you can up to 10,000 sq/ft. After applying the Bifen Granules, spray out the CYONARA RTS. This 1-2 combination used monthly or even more in extreme cases will no doubt knock down the springtail population enough so there will be that many less to invade the home.
- Realize that any cement around the home like a patio, driveway, stoop, garage or shed can all be serving as a springtail haven. These slabs cover dirt, hold moisture, provide shade and when connected to the home present a direct way for migrating springtails to get inside to living areas. In some cases these areas will need to be treated as explained in our SPRINGTAIL CONTROL ARTICLE. This will be necessary to stop them from getting inside because again, if the population explodes so much and they start migrating, there is no chemical we have that will stop them cold in their tracks. That means you'll be subject to the invasion if you don't treat. And yes, the type of treatment needed in some of these situations is the drilling method explained in our article. Much like a termite job, by saturating the soil under the slabs with a chemical you can no doubt reach areas otherwise hidden and out of sight where problems can persist for many years. Tackling these areas are sometimes required for any long term control and springtail eradication but it's hard to say whether such extremes are needed at first. Only after you're sure you've treated all open and accessible areas should you try to cover these remote locations. But in some cases they must be treated somehow and the actual application can be tricky, time consuming and difficult. But if you're goal is to create a springtail free zone, you may have to go this route.
- Remove as much of the organic matter, ground cover and other springtail "enablers" around the home. Removing this material will indirectly reduce the moisture level which in turn will directly reduce the amount of springtails that can survive. Alternatively you can simply apply the Bifen Granules and Cyonara on a regular basis and these treatments alone will many times be enough to keep the numbers down.
- Seal any direct routes of entry into living areas. Common locations where they gain access include expansion joints in concrete, pipe entry ways through slabs and basement walls, electric line entry points, in ground ventilation ducts and bathroom trap boxes where water and drain lines run. This is usually just under the faucet heads of the bath tub or shower stall.
- Fix any leaks on the home related to a bad water pipe, a poorly draining air conditioning unit or a leaky roof. Such areas can become secondary nest sites for migrating springtails that find their way inside and if you don't stop the moisture, you won't stop the springtails.
Lastly, be patient! Springtails are very much like the herpes virus. Most people don't know they have herpes until they have an outbreak. And though there are medications that can help to control outbreaks, these treatments will only help to minimize the symptom because there is no cure. The same is true for springtails. These guys exist deep down in the ground and when conditions are right, they are able to reproduce to such levels that they migrate out into the open (like a herpes sore). Treatments for springtails (Cyonara, Bifen, Granules, D-Force, etc.) will help to minimize the symptom but they will not be treating the source of the problem and therefore are not a cure. Remember, the Cyonara or Bifen applied to the turf may only penetrate an inch or two when you first treat; maybe 4-6 inches over a long period of time. But springtails live much deeper than the treatments will initially penetrate which means you'll still have massive reproduction happening for some time to follow after you start treating. But if you stay the course, over time the rain and other natural events will enable the treatments to get deeper and deeper to where the springtails are nesting. Eventually this penetration will help to reduce the amount of reproducing that's going on which in turn will help to reduce the amount of springtails you see above ground. But don't expect to see much of anything positive following your first month or two of treatments. In other words, expect to see live springtails moving over the treated soil even a day following a thorough application. How can this happen? Well, the treatment no doubt killed all the springtails up at the soils surface. But again, there are countless millions waiting to get up and out into the open from far deeper than the chemical has penetrated and as they migrate up over the dead springtails, the treatments will take longer and longer to kill the newly emerging population. Sure they'll be dying in a day or two but by that time so many more will have emerged the net result will be lots of live ones with the dead ones disappearing back into the soil. The net effect will make it seem as though nothing is dying but in fact they are; it's just very hard to tell when there are so many emerging. Eventually (1-6 months into the program) you'll see a reduction in how many are emerging. And if you stay the course and treat monthly over a 1-2 year period, you'll no doubt get to the root of the problem which in turn will make the "outbreaks" of springtails emerging a thing of the past. Will springtails still be present in the yard down in the ground? Undoubtedly yes. But if you keep these numbers in check by treating, you won't have the visible outbreaks. When springtails exist in balance, they'll essentially be living in the soil and dying there without ever being seen.
In summary, if you currently have springtails invading, there is a really only one thing you need to do and that is to focus your attention on the outside of the home where they are likely breeding. If you treat all areas you stand the best chance of getting rid of them quickly. If you spot treat, there is a greater chance the problem will be ongoing since it's so easy to miss a spot or too.
If you have reason to believe they could be in your roofing due to a leak, treat there with the DELTAMETHRIN DUST or D-FORCE AEROSOL. But these areas will become inhabitable once the moisture problem is stopped so in most cases they will require both a treatment and some mechanical work to fix the problem leading the nesting for long term control.
Be sure to read our SPRINGTAIL CONTROL article so you can better understand this pest and some of the other ways to treat and prevent their migrations from getting inside the home. Getting the outside will no doubt keep them from getting inside. And since their population no doubt took years to grow to this size, it's important to understand it will most likely take 6-12 months to reduce their population enough to make a difference so have patience. Lastly, if you still have questions, give us a call toll free at 1-800-877-7290 and one of our technical reps should be able to further assist.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Springtail Control Article: http://www.bugspray.com/article/springtail.html
Bifen Granules: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page719.html
Cyonara RTS: http://www.bugspray.com/item/cyonara_rts.html
Deltamethrin Dust: http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page723.html
D-Force: http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/aerosol/d-force-14-oz-aerosol
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Comments on Springtail infestations and where to treat
guest @ 6:51 pm
I had a huge migration of springtails last summer. Used professional all summer and fall to spray. Knocked the number down, but did not get rid of them. They are back again already. Got rid of mulch around house and also found them able to thrive in an empty, but somewhat rotting wood flower box. No standing water anywhere. No moisture in house. If I continue treatments this year do I have hope of getting rid of these or are they here to stay? Been in the house for 12yrs. Never saw them before last summer. No neighbors saw one springtail. I live in 3 unit townhouse. Any suggestions other than keep doing the treatments? Thanks for the help. I used bifen that I ordered from u too.
Tech Support @ 6:57 pm
@guest: If you read the post above you'll learn what you're doing will help but not solve the problem. In fact the point you made about being there "12yrs" and "never saw them before last summer" is to be expected. As explained above, springtails accumulate in the soil and will get more and more dense when left untreated. Over time your turf can get so full of them that when they migrate looking for a new place to live, some will get inside the home. To stop this from happening, keep spraying the liquid Bifen like you've been doing. But this alone will not stop them. To keep them out altogether, you'll need to start treating the turf with the Bifen Granules too. In the end this regime will reduce the numbers in the lawn and eventually there won't be any left to forage or migrate up and into the home.
guest @ 6:21 am
Hi,
I have read all your articles and watched your video regarding springtails. We, however, do not have a "nest" area. We just built our house and have only been living here for 7 months. We live in rural NC and built on an acre of land totally surrounded by farm land. Our entire yard seems to be COVERED by springtails. We have grass that is trying to grow in, but most of our yard is still rich soil. We started seeing a few springtails in our bathtub and sinks about 3 weeks ago. 12 days ago we came home at night to find THOUSANDS of springtails on the first floor of our house – only in the master bathroom, kitchen, and also in our master bedroom, and my walk-in closet. I lost it when I saw them even on my bed. We sprayed bug spray and vacuumed and slept (not really sleeping) upstairs with our kids. That worked for a few days, but then we started seeing them upstairs as well. My panic attack really, really happened when I even saw them on my son's bed upstairs. I am such a manic cleaner anyway and this is driving me INSANE. I vacuum one or two times throughout my entire 2400 square foot house EVERY DAY. I spray ortho home defense bug spray around the perimeter of my kitchen and bathrooms a few times a day. That kills the ones that are coming in while it's still wet, but the residual does nothing. Our exterminator came last week and he said there is nothing they can do for us – he said they are migrating and we just need to wait it out. Well, now that it's been 12 days and they're no better than they were 12 days ago (and I've even gotten a prescription for anxiety medication – not kidding), I'm sick and tired of waiting it out. I keep thinking that if it dries outside, things will get better. Well, we rarely go more than a few days without having a thunderstorm this time of year, so I don't know if it will ever totally dry out. WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO??? I read about spreading bifen granules, but should we do this on our entire acre of land or just immediately around the house? My husband has been setting off bug bombs under the house in the crawl space every night (there are thousands and thousands under there every night as well) and it kills lots of them, but they KEEP COMING BACK. I am literally going out of my mind. What do we need to do??? Does it have anything to do with the empty wheat fields around our house?
PLEASE HELP!!!
Thanks, Insane in NC
Tech Support @ 6:26 am
@guest: Read the above post and our article as they cover all you need to know. The bottom line is springtails thrive in soil and you'll need to start treating heavy in your turf with both the liquid and granules. Eventually you'll knock them down enough outside so they don't come into the home. But treating inside is a complete waste of time and I suggest you quit spending your money there but instead start using it where it will matter: out in the yard.
Lea @ 6:55 am
Are the Bifen granules and cyonara spray safe for my kids? They are 3 y/o and 6 y/o and have an outdoor playground in our backyard. I am ready to treat the yard, but I want to make sure it's safe for the kids. Also, it's supposed to rain here in the next few days. Is it better to treat before or after, or does that not really make a difference?
Tech Support @ 7:01 am
@Lea: On each product page we have a "safety" video which explains in detail what you need to do for both storing and applying the product safely. In general you need to keep the pets and kids away from the area during the treatment but afterward they can come back and behave as they always have with no extra risk or danger. More details are in the video's and these are different for each product (one for granules; one for liquids, etc.).
Regarding the rain; you need a lot of water to get the product down deep where it will do the most good so in fact applying some before rain is best unless you're able to water them in via an irrigation system. For some pests it's the opposite but with springtails, going deep is required so the rain is a help.
Kelly @ 4:50 pm
Hello,
I am experiencing almost identicial circumstances that the guest "Insane from NC" above has stated. We have a 3600 sqft home and have been treating the inside of our home for what we thought were fleas for a month now. We are going insane. We finally had a new exterminator come out and identified the bugs as springtails. Whoever says these do not bite needs to see my legs and hands. I have a 3 yr old that also has bites on his arms. We moved upstairs b/c we noticed they were all downstairs in our Master bed and bath, but they have moved everywhere in the house. We just had Steam cleaners out today and the pest control is coming for the 4th time tomorrow. After reading and researching this topic, should I conclude the only way is to attack the outside of the home? We are desperate at this point. But why did the problem start in our master bedroom? We have an entrance to the backyard from there but rarely use it. Is it possible we might have a mold problem?
Thank you,
Kelly
Tech Support @ 6:15 pm
@Kelly: I sure hope the service company you're paying is doing a bunch of treatments outside but if they're not, I suggest you start supplementing their treatments to insure you get the problem solved. I say this because I'm 100% sure the problem is originating from the outside. Now whether it's in the lawn, flower beds, under a sidewalk, a patio or some place else is anyones guess. Usually locations can be treated and then one by one they can be eliminated as a source once they're protected. And don't rule out the possibility that the source could be coming from under the home. If your house is a slab, this can most definitely be the main problem.
The bottom line is if you don't get to the source of the springtails, all the topical treatments done inside the home won't help at all. As our article explains, springtails can't live above the ground out in the open so once they get there, they'll die anyway. The point is there isn't much benefit in spraying where you're seeing them because that's not the important area to treat if you want them to stop coming. Get the chemical applied where it matters and you'll start getting results and since it can take a long time to figure this out, the sooner you start the outside soil surrounding the home, the sooner you'll see results.
Kelly B @ 10:12 am
We did not have any bug problems until last year right after we put new pine needles around the house. Then springtails which I had never even heard of started popping up. Started seeing them on the backside of the house coming in the kitchen window etc and made their way upstairs in the house too! I freaked and we had Terminix come out atleast 3 times and when winter came we saw none so we thought the problem was gone…well boy were we wrong!! In the last 2 weeks they are coming again, we took up the pine needles out back and that greatly reduced them from coming in the kitchen and had terminix spray after they were up. Then they started coming in the windows on front of the house first floor and upstairs… right at dusk our house would be covered with them! So we decided to get the pine needles up from the front of the house too, while we thought this might help it seems it has not, nor having Terminix come again with no needles around the house, right at dusk they alllll come out on the house and inside. We have had a horrible time trying to find the source of the problem no leaky pipes or anything- Our house is on a slab and we did have termites many years ago and have the termite bait pods all around the house, at a desperate time I had my fiancee look in the pods and springtails are in all of them as well!!! Could these be the source as I don't believe the spray is getting in there? & could the pine needles have brought them in the first place?? I'm ready to try the bifen granules and which liquid do you suggest to be most aggressive?? Thanks for any advice…… Kelly
Tech Support @ 10:18 am
@Kelly B: It's rare that anyone "over treats" when it comes to springtails so I suggest you go heavy with the Bifen granules first followed by the Cyonara over the top right after. We have found that approximately 50% of the people who treat can get great results immediately and the other 50% seem to be in battle. If you fall into the second group, getting them under control will only be achieved by snuffing them out where they are thriving and this will no doubt turn to be in the soil throughout the yard surrounding the house. And since trying to isolate one or two "nests" is not practical, use the shot gun approach and treat as much as possible as frequently as you can. In the end this will prove the most effective and efficient.
Kelly B @ 9:01 am
@Tech Support:
Few more questions if you don't mind… We notice that they really don't come out until about 7:30pm and then they cover the house inside and out..Also out of curiosity we went and looked at the sides of both of our neighbors houses and yes…they have them too!! Now what??
I have ordered Bifen granules & Bifen IT, How strong should the liquid be?
Thank you so much for info.
Tech Support @ 9:08 am
@Kelly B: It doesn't require much to control them. As little as .33 oz per gallon of water will suffice. But if you review the label, you'll see it has a variable rate so you can use anywhere from .33 up to 1 oz of Bifen per gallon of water. In my experience, half an ounce per gallon is plenty strong and since multiple applications will usually yield better results, using it at the lower rate will let you get more mileage out of the amount you purchased and therefore better results when targeting springtails. Here's a direct link to the Bifen label; the section on springtails is on page 18:
http://www.bugspray.net/labels/bifen_it_label.pdf
Shawn @ 10:55 pm
We are having a springtail problem and will be employing the solutions you advise, but I have one question…I have a crawl space that is bone dry, I looked there and couldn't find any springtail activity, do I need to treat that as well? We had a problem with mold in the crawl space and had it professionally cleaned/sealed. It cost a lot of money, so I'm a little nervous about adding any liquid products to the crawl space. Please advise…
Tech Support @ 11:34 pm
@Shawn: There is no need to treat the crawl. Just focus on the real problem which is no doubt the outside area and you'll be fine.
Tony W @ 12:14 am
I now have springtails in my house and would like to treat the outside but my home has a well.The water comes from an underground Aquifer,are the chemicals you described safe for use in this situation?
Tech Support @ 7:22 am
@Tony W: All the products listed above can be used safely where well water is in use. There are some extra "rules" you should follow and here is a summary of the two important "10 Foot Rules" we consider to be a good guideline is assessing the area to be treated.
1) How deep is the well water? This is very important. In most cases, well water is quite deep. It's not uncommon for water levels to be 100-200 feet or even deeper. In these scenarios, treatments done on the surface will never get through the soil to the water. In fact, the active ingredients can only penetrate a few inches; a foot at most. But if your water table is high, say just 5-10 feet deep, I'd wouldn't apply granules or liquid. I say this to be on the safe side. Even though it's not likely the products would penetrate enough to have an impact, the risk is simply not worth it. So if you're well water is only 10 feet deep or less, don't treat outside.
2) This same "10 foot rule" applies to the well pipe, pump house, etc. and it's relation to where you want to treat. In fact, the well pipe is a direct line to the water below and in many cases gaps can be created alongside the pipe and the soil allowing for water to filter hundreds of feet down. For this reason it's advisable to stay at least 10 feet away from any well pipe. Leaving this buffer zone of untreated soil will insure there is no runoff or trans-location effect carrying active ingredient to the pipe and then down to the water below. So if you stay at least 10 feet clear of the well pipe, you should be fine.
One other big factor is that springtails love to thrive just under weed preventing mats, mulch like pine straw, wood chips or rocks as well as cement slabs. The point here is they like to be "high" up in the soil level. It's at this level where the products can have a big impact so really, there is no need to over apply anything or to put out so much there would be a chance of anything filtering down extra deep. Focus on the shady, moist areas of the home with regular treatments and you should be able to knock them down to acceptable levels. And once this happens, treating a few times a year should keep their numbers in check.
Tiffany @ 10:59 pm
If anyone has ever had a Spring Tail Infestation in and outside of the home.. it is us. Talk about panic attacks and sleepless nights. I have never heard of this little pest and it took our house by storm. They are in every room of our house.. and not just one of them… tons of them. They are on everything and even in the cracks of our hard wood floors. We haven't been agressive in treating them because at frst there were only a few…and I had no clue what they were… not we are scrounging to get rid of them and I feel that it is hopeless. If anyone has ever experienced such a problem inside the house, please post. I feel like my problem is not normal. We had pest control come out twice in one week… and that really didn't do anything. have two small children and am making myself sick over this problem. Please help!
Tiffany
Gina @ 9:42 pm
Hi, I am having a problem with springtails. We have done everything so far on the do not do list. We got a professional company to come out and spray twice now. They are now on my bed and in my bedroom. They keep telling me that they will go away and to just give it time. I am concerned that time will only make it worse, especially now that I've read the above article. I've read everything that needs to be done outside. Do they have companies that specialize in this and will treat your yard the correct way?
Tech Support @ 10:03 pm
@Gina: It's not easy to find companies that will treat as thoroughly as is needed. This happens for many reasons. One of the most common is that the general public believes the company they hire should spray where the pests are being seen. In the case of springtails, spraying inside the home generally does not serve much benefit. Other reasons include the cost of chemical and time restraints. Applying enough product to solve these types of problems isn't "normal" for most service companies. And since problems can (in some cases) be resolved with minimal amount of product applied, companies will generally start with less first to see if this approach might work.
The bottom line is for any service company to do the right job right away, the initial cost would be so high that most consumers would not pay to get the work done. In the end, this is one pest that doing the work yourself can be more productive in the form of less time needed to fix the problem and a lot less frustration one has to endure during the process.
Tiffany @ 7:48 am
@Gina: We are experiencing the same thing, Gina. It's almost digusting.
Tiffany @ 7:52 am
@Tiffany: I guess maybe I should clariify…. after re-reading my post, I maybe overreacted, but that is how sensitive I am regarding this issue. I have a very clean house. But things Spring Tails are in every room of my house. To see them, I have to look for them.. but they are there.
Dana @ 10:45 am
I too am having problems with these little annoying things. We've been dealing with them for the past few years and it just doesn't seem to get any better. They are all over the inside of the house and I can see them outside on the front cement patio. They originally started in the bathroom in my bedroom and have spread themselves all through the house, I'm thinking that they are in the walls. I live in NY and noticed that I can't have the Bifen Granules shipped here and was wondering why? Will the alternative products you mention work just as good?
Please help, I'm at the end of my rope….
Tech Support @ 12:19 pm
@Dana: Alternatives like the Cyfluthrin and ECO will work fine in place of the Bifen which isn't registered for sale into your state. Here are direct links to them in our cart:
Cyfluthrin: http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/granule/cyfluthrin-granules
ECO G: http://www.bugspraycart.com/exempt/granule/eco-exempt-org-g-22-lb
Linda @ 12:18 am
I never thought that these lit'l pests were springtails. Thought they were bed bugs. I was releived when I heard they were not bed bugs but you can't get rid of these things. My daughter had several bites on her and I did too. I wonder if they bite. They say they don't but I wonder. Anyone knows. We are just starting the long hard fight against these bugs and I know it'll be a long ride. We live in the country and they are in every bed in my house because of the moisture from Hurricane Katrina. Our attic got rain and it stayed wet for a long time and I know we had moisture, mildew and mold. We know that this is the cause but don't know how to go about fixing it in the attic or on the ground. Also the air vents probably have mold & mildew. Our Central Air went out so we are using air condition units and the moisture on the ground there is bad also. We don't know where to start or how much it will cost to get rid of these pests. We are researching and taking notes on the chemicals to use and will try our best. Thanks to this site. I can't believe we have something else to haunt us. Hurricane season just started. Lord have mercy!
Shanna @ 11:40 pm
We have a springtails. Just noticed them this year in Bathrooms and Kitchen. Your article was very informative but what about sandboxes. My son has one and the sand is dry in it. I opened it up this afternoon and there were so many it creeped me out and didn't want him to play in there. If they die once there are above ground why are they surving in the sanbox? My husband also has been getting free mulch from the local recycling center. Could this be where these started coming from or just in our ground and we're finally seeing them come out?
Please let me know!
Thanks, Shanna
Tech Support @ 7:57 am
@Shanna: First, there is no way you're bringing home any in the free mulch that could be significantly contributing to the problem. I'm sure it's the soil surrounding your home that's infested and will need to be treated. That being said, the mulch could have some but they won't be able to have any significant impact on whether or not springtails can live and thrive on your property.
As for the sandbox; there are two scenarios I've seen over the years that cause springtails to infest sandboxes and it's based on how they're constructed. In one design I've seen, the owner builds a frame and fills it with sand which is placed directly over the ground with nothing between the sand or topsoil. When it rains, the sandbox will accumulate more water than the surrounding area and this water will leach down slowly into the topsoil underneath the sand. The leaching of all this water will make this part of the yard very moist and ideal for springtails. The only viable solution I've seen once this happens is to "elevate" the sandbox above the ground which will allow the water to filter out of the sand, onto the top soil and then disperse naturally and evenly throughout the yard. Basically the current design is acting as a water collector and in doing so will make it ideal for springtails to gather and live underneath it. Remember too the sand acts as a type of "shade" which will help keep the soil moist a lot longer directly under the sandbox compared to the surrounding area. This is perfect for springtails.
The second scenario I've seen with sandboxes is when they're built with a plastic liner underneath them designed to "hold" the sand inside the box. In this case the water which collects cannot escape and in many situations will lay under the sand unnoticed by the users. Once a springtail or two finds their way into the sand, they'll prosper and quickly multiply to huge levels. In this scenario, you'll once again need to elevate the sandbox and build a drain system into the base so the frame won't be able to accumulate water anymore.
Lastly, it's important to understand springtails live naturally in just about all soil (at least soil with moisture and organic matter). When conditions are ripe (like overly moist conditions when the surrounding area is dry), they'll focus, over populate and migrate. This is clearly happening at your house and failure to treat the soil and reduce the water accumulating will allow them to prosper that much more. I suggest you start by redesigning the sand box and reducing the moisture around the home ASAP. I also suggest you start treating with the Bifen granules and liquid Cyonara to help curb the numbers multiplying in your soil. As explained above, this problem did not magically appear overnight so don't expect it to go away anytime soon. I would expect the process to take 6-12 months.
Debi @ 5:05 pm
@guest: Hi, I have the same exact problem as you, and no kidding here either, I just got anxiety medicine 2 days ago. Every year just about this time I get them overtaking my bedroom and my daughters bedroom. We have now been sleeping on the couch for 2 weeks, I cant take much more of this, I'm about to sell my house after 11 years of living here!!!!! I dont even bother spraying them inside anymore, but the fact that they are always on my bed FREAKS me out. Never had any bites so im sure they are harmless but I still cant sleep at night. They only seem to last for a few weeks here and then they dissappear until the following summer. When I get the money I will definitely be trying the bifen granules…GOOD LUCK UGH THIS IS HORRIBLE!!!! Debi in New Jersey
Ashley @ 6:22 pm
We've lived here for 2 years and we just found them today. I went to plug my cell phone into its charger (that I leave plugged in and laying on the carpet) and they were completely coating it, yuck! Then after looking more closely they were all over the window sill, wall outlets and along the baseboard heating unit…and probably other places we haven't discovered yet as our carpet is light tan and I'm a little scared to look harder for them! The problem is we live in an apartment building so treating the outside isn't an option for us. And after reading some of these stories above it seems like many pest control companies either have no idea how to treat for springtails or they don't do it effectively.
How can we stop them from taking over our apartment when we don't have the ability to treat the soil outside? Will using the deltamethrin dust & d-force aerosol just delay them from entering our apartment until they find a new way in? Will spraying along all the walls at least keep them from using our apartment as a migration route?
Tech Support @ 7:39 pm
@Ashley: Using the D-Force will help reduce numbers but it does have a slight odor so a better choice would be the Cykick seen here:
http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/aerosol/pt-cykick-17-5-oz
It's just about odorless and since you can't treat outside, I'm afraid you'll be forced to do a lot more treating inside to help keep the springtails at bay. That means the less odor type product you apply, the less lingering odor you'll have around. Under normal conditions, the D-Force is fine when applied 1-2 but you don't have a "normal" situation so the Cykick would be the way to go.
As for the Deltamethrin Dust; if you can get some applied into the wall voids the springtails are using, it will no doubt help reduce the number you see in the living area. Lastly, be sure to keep anything important off the ground and away from the main points of entry.
myron @ 9:42 pm
Thanks a lot especially to the technician. I am still not sure about the things I fought; springtails, mites??? But thanks to God and Tech; I got this place and had the problem for around two years. I thought it was driving me crazy! I was really desperate plus I had the problem in my car and at my job. At the end, I did not understand what was the focus problem.
After reading all these helpful messages, I started checking little by little and got more information. Finally, Eureka …!!!! I read the main focus is outside in great percentage. I was always focused inside. I was not correct; in the yard I did not get anything. However, long ago I remodeled the bathroom and the toilet was not sealed on the base. The contractor said it was not anything and you cannot even see it. You do not believe but the gap was so tiny any bad smell I would get so I thought it was a real problem. A month ago I bought white caulk vinyl and closed it. Thanks God! Since then I have been sleeping as an angel and hope these annoying ones do not come back to my house.
I wish the best luck for everyone. Check your house by parts and do not forget the bathroom or humid areas as they are prime entrance points.
Thanks again and God bless you guys!!!!:),o,xxxxxx
guest @ 6:29 pm
We just moved into our new house this Feb. and started seeing spring tails in July. We are expecting a baby in a month and would like to see them gone before he arrives! We have been doing everything we can to eliminate any moisture problems, and sealing up any cracks or crevices. But we live in a split level a sort of "half basement" that isn't finished so its not very sealed up. Will treating the yard still help?
Tech Support @ 6:35 pm
@guest: If you read through the post above you'll learn in fact the only way to get rid of springtails is to treat the yard. So to answer your question; treating the yard is the only answer. And if you give it a little time, you'll soon learn that attempting to "seal" them out is just about impossible. This is because there will be an ever increasing population just outside and around your structure and if left to grow as it wishes, their numbers will become so bountiful they'll be able to penetrate any structure above grade.
Unfortunately, as you'll learn when reading above, problems like you have will not go away anytime soon. In fact, I'm pretty sure you'll have them the remainder of this year and most likely next year even if you treated. To get complete results, it usually takes a good 1-2 years for the net affect to reduce their population enough for any discernible results to be seen.
lisa @ 5:11 pm
Hi! I've been having what I think is a springtail problem for the past month now. I noticed that after a huge rainfall, there were quite an abundance of 'jumping' type little woodlice type critters. They are too big to be fleas IMO and besides we don't have any pets. I thought they were small woodlice at first but then on closer inspection they seem to be a little furry and have anntennae. Anyway my house is known for being kind of damp but that's why we purhcased a dehumidifier which collects a few litres of water a day. Anyway we're still seeing these critters even with the dehumidifier turned on and they are in random places like in my hallway, living room, kitchen…not where any water sources are like bathroom etc! Do you think they are indeed springtails? And where can i purchase the bifen granules in the UK?
Tech Support @ 5:54 pm
@lisa: Sounds like springtails but I would bring some to a local authority (someone in pest control) who would know for sure to get the exact id. Once you know for sure, proceed with some of the treatments listed above if they are in fact springtails. And though I'm sure you won't be able to get the products we have listed above, you should be able to get something comparable that will help. As explained above, the key is treating the source and in most cases, that will be the soil around the home. Granules and liquid residuals should do it if you stay the course.
Ann @ 12:18 pm
Is it possible for springtails to be on dogs? Especially dogs that are out in the fields when hunting?
Tech Support @ 7:19 pm
@Ann: No. As explained in our springtail article, they're short lived once they emerge into the open air and would not be able to withstand any kind of direct contact with people or animals.
Robbin @ 4:51 pm
I noticed these pests almost two yrs ago they were on my front door,they covered the door. there had to be thousands, they freaked me out. then I seen them inside the house , I was told by a neighbor that they were fleas ,I was not so sure so I called pest control they told me I have what are called springtails and that they are almost impossible to kill it takes years sometimes, but you have to have patience ,I replied to the Tech that patience is a virtue and that I did not have any these pests will drive you crazy if you let them , could you tell me if my front door on my house has anything to do with the springtails wanting to congregate their the door is metal and is a dark green I know it sounds weird but that is where most of them are found ?,some are in the window sills and the front deck area,we also have a flower bed . S.E. Kansas
Tech Support @ 11:17 pm
@Robbin: If you read through the article above, you'll learn that what you're seeing is just a migration from where they live. And I'm guessing they're living in the ground adjacent to the door or under it. I've seen them emerge in great numbers from stoops and patio slabs so it would be a common location for sure. More importantly, if you don't treat the soil as we describe above, they'll keep coming.
angeling @ 2:49 am
Hi, where can i get bifen granules and cyanora in Malaysia? I've been having what I think is a springtail problem. Other than bifen granules, what product i can get in Malaysia? Hope can solve this problem as soon as possible. Please help,thanks!
Tech Support @ 9:04 am
@angeling: I am sorry but it's not likely you'll be able to get either of these product locally. Though we ship many items abroad, we're not able to ship most of our chemical products and these two are prohibited from being shipped overseas. Sorry we can't help more.