SPRINGTAIL IDENTIFICATION

(Collembola)

Springtails in Aiken are nuisance pest that are attracted to and live in areas of high moisture and that occasionally invade homes and other buildings. They are found living throughout the United States, including in South Carolina. They are named springtails because of the way they “jump” away from perceived danger using a specialized appendage.

What do springtails look like?

Springtails are a tiny pest, adults grow only to between 1/32 and 1/8th of an inch in length. Springtails are soft-bodied, wingless, and have 6 legs. Their most distinctive and well-known feature is their furcular, a tail-like appendage that is found underneath of their abdomen. The furcular releases from their abdomen and sends the springtail flying into the air. To the naked eye springtails look gray, but they actually come in a variety of colors including blue, purple, yellow, gray, and/or orange.

Quick springtail facts

• Springtails were at one point considered to be an insect, they have since been classified as hexapods.
• Springtails can be a number of different colors including brown, gray, and black.
• While they can jump incredibly high for their size, springtails do not have wings and cannot fly.
• Springtails are usually most active during the afternoon or very early evening. 

Springtail habits and behaviors

Springtails “breathe” and absorb water through their body covering, because of this springtails need a constant source of moisture to prevent them from drying out.  However, if the ground becomes too saturated with water they will emerge from the ground in very large numbers; the same can be said for when the ground becomes too dry. Outside, springtails feed on decaying vegetation, bacteria, insect feces, and pollen; helping to release nutrients back into the soil. If the weather outside is not conducive to their survival they often migrate inside underneath of doors and through small cracks and crevices found in exterior walls. Inside they can be found in damp areas like bathrooms, basements, crawl spaces, kitchens, on window sills, and in the soil of potted plants. Springtails are active year-round, some species can be seen jumping across snow and are referred to as “snow fleas.”

Are springtails dangerous?

Springtails are considered to be a nuisance pest, they are not dangerous. Springtails do not bite and aren’t known to cause health risks to people. Springtails do not cause structural damages to homes and cause no harm to established potted plants found in your home. Springtails do, however, enter inside of homes and other buildings in large numbers and can be difficult to completely eliminate without the help of a professional.

Does Aiken treat springtails?

Yes, we do treat for springtails. Please call us for more information on our home pest control services.

Helpful Springtail Articles

• Are Springtails In Aiken Dangerous?