Typical insects are known as “true bugs” with 2 pairs of wings; mouth structures meant to suck or pierce; and a triangular area between the head and the wings. For this reason, we often overlook springtails, which do not fit this description. In fact, springtails are not even insects! Pro-Staff, the Ankeny pest control team, wants its customers to be able to recognize springtails, especially if they notice these tiny critters in their homes.
About Springtails
Springtails are one of the most abundant microorganisms on the planet, with an estimated 100,000 springtails thriving in every square meter of earth. However, their small size (1 mm) compensates for their sheer numbers, and most people do not notice them. Springtails are
among the first animals to walk on land around 410 million years ago. As they proliferated, they became a food source for thousands of other animal species, from beetles to birds.
The anatomy of a springtail is quite unique. Instead of a traditional respiratory system, springtails breathe through their soft outer shell casing. This casing is thin enough for moisture to escape their insides, so springtails must live near a source of water and high humidity.
What They Eat
Food sources for springtails are fungi, algae, and mold – all present in damp areas around your home – as well as fallen leaves or other detritus outside. Outside they can be found almost anywhere: in leaf litter, in fields, on termite mounds, 2 km below Earth’s surface, on Antarctic snow, or on the beach. Many homeowners unknowingly introduce springtails into their homes when they adopt a potted plant. Swimming pools are another excellent location for springtails to live.
How They Get Into Your Home
When their source of moisture begins to diminish, springtails shrink, sometimes by as much as 30%. As the weather shifts to summer, springtails may head indoors where your climate is controlled. Any source of water – a dripping faucet, bathtub, laundry room, or dog bowl – is a prime location to find springtails. Sometimes, though, the springtails in your home may be abundant enough for you to notice, but pesticides do not really eradicate them. Instead, vacuum and clean the floors of your home frequently, and find any sources of water that would draw them in.
How can springtails manage to ambulate from your plant to a water source, especially if the distance seems insurmountable for such a tiny animal? They jump. Springtails have earned their moniker. If springtails were human sized, they could vault over a 10-story building. For more interesting facts on insects and other creatures around your home, visit Pro-Staff’s Education Center or call your Ankeny pest control at 515 279-PEST (7378).