They may look like commas or be white, gray, brown or black. They reach a length of 2-4 mm and have no eyes or wings. Depending on the species, however, they may be equipped with a body part that allows them to jump. This is what they get their name from.
Springtails often inhabit where we grow plants. But can they harm them? We explain how to get rid of them.
Springtails are small, wingless arthropods that have oval or slightly elongated bodies. They have a fork-shaped tail under their abdomen, which they use to bounce and jump – up to several centimeters, which is a solid achievement considering that they do not exceed 4 mm.
Springtails are useful because they decompose organic matter. They are not dangerous to humans, although their presence in the house is certainly not pleasant. They usually come to our homes along with the soil – both purchased and garden soil.
Springtails are not harmful to plants unless they breed in excess. They are usually even useful because their food is dead organic matter. That’s why springtails are known as a real “cleanup crew.”
However, if there are too many of them and there is no food for them, they may attack a living plant. Initially, they gnaw on the roots and then spread to the stem and leaves. They are particularly dangerous for small plants and germinating plants, because they can even lead to their complete death.
Springtails love moisture. Therefore, if we want to get rid of them from the apartment, it is worth ensuring that the humidity level in the rooms is not excessively high. You should also air your apartment regularly.
If we notice them in pots, we should water them less often – this means that they have enough moisture in the ground. It is also worth getting rid of the top layer of soil and adding some dry soil. If there are really a lot of them, it will be best to completely replace the soil and wash the pot thoroughly.
Another way is to give a potted plant a bath. To do this, we place the entire pot in a bathtub or basin and fill it so that the water level exceeds the ground in the pot by a few centimeters. After waiting 2-3 hours, you can collect the worms floating on the water surface and remove the plant and the pot. The plant should dry out calmly and not be watered for at least a week.
You may need to repeat a similar procedure after some time, as this is a good way to get rid of only adults.
