ARE SPRINGTAILS IN AIKEN DANGEROUS?

If you find springtails in your home, you might think you have a flea infestation. Springtails are tiny, flea-like critters that spring through the air like fleas. But there are many differences between a springtail and a flea. First, a springtail isn't an insect, like a flea. Springtails are arthropods. Springtails don't feed on blood, like a flea. They eat biological waste found in soil and leaf litter. And, perhaps the most important difference is that springtails aren't dangerous, like fleas. They don't bite. They don't cause irritation to the skin. And they aren't known to spread any diseases. They're just a nuisance. But they may be a warning sign of something that could be dangerous.

What It Means When You See Springtails In Your Home

It is possible to find springtails in a new home. Damp lumber used during construction or lots of rain during construction can lead to moisture inside the walls. This can attract springtails. This isn't too much of an issue as this moisture will disappear over time as the home heats and cools. But, when springtails appear in an older home, it can be a sign of moisture damage. After a few years, you should not have levels of moisture in your walls that can attract springtails.

Why Moisture Is A Problem

• When the wood of your home becomes damp, mold can attach. If certain mold spores begin to get into your home, you can become sick.
• When the wood of your home becomes damp, fungi can attach to it and begin the process of wood rot, which can cost you money to repair.
• When wood rot begins, termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, powder post beetles, mice, rats, and other wood-damaging pests will begin to wear away at the wood, and this can lead to expensive repairs.
• When mice and rats chew holes in the wood of your home, it can create a pathway for many pests, and while springtails are harmless, there are many pests that aren't.
• When mice and rats chew holes in the wood of your home, those rodents can get inside. This can lead to property damage and health issues. Mice and rats leave urine and feces in many places, including stored foods, silverware drawers, and dish cabinets.
• When rodents get into your home, they bring fleas, ticks, and other parasites with them. These can spread dangerous diseases to you and your family—not to mention your dog or cat.

Do you see the problem?

Springtails aren't dangerous, but the conditions that attract them will attract pests that are dangerous. At the first sign of springtail activity within your home, you should take steps to address the moisture problem that attracted them. 

Once you've taken the time to suck those springtails up with a vacuum cleaner, and you've disposed of the bag outside, consider doing the following:

• Inspect the exterior of your home for areas that are damp, and for wood that is being damaged by moisture.
• Repair damaged wood and seal any gaps, cracks, or holes you find. This will work to immediately deter pests from getting into your Aiken home.
• Check your gutters for obstructions or any breaks in the system. If there is a clog, clean it out. If there is a break, fix it. Pro tip: If you look up at your gutters and you see plants growing up there, you definitely have a clog.
• Repair plumbings issues, such as leaky spigots, hoses, and sprinklers.
• Create a grade in areas where puddles are forming in depressions.
• Trim your landscape vegetation, remove weeds, and create space between your plants. This will allow for better airflow.
• Trim tree branches in areas that are densely shaded. You want the sun to get in and dry the ground after it rains, and after you water your plants.
• Consider watering your landscape plants in the early morning. 

Get A Little Help

If you're having trouble with springtails, remember that the team here at Aiken Pest Control is available to assist you with any pest control problems you have. Our licensed professionals can give you important insight into your problem and guide you in selecting the right solution for your specific issue and your budgetary needs. 

Reach out to us today for advice or service. We can help.