If you've noticed tiny dark specks in the sink, tub or houseplant soil of your Clifton home that suddenly jump when you get close, you may have springtails. Lots of people have seen them without ever learning the name. The short answer to the question in the title: springtails aren't dangerous, and they won't damage your home. But they are a sign that something is staying wet. Below, we'll explain what springtails are, why they show up and how to get rid of them by fixing the real cause. If you'd like help tracking down the source, our springtail control service is a good place to start.
What Springtails Are
Springtails are very small, wingless creatures, usually only a millimeter or two long. Depending on the kind, they can be gray, black, white, brown or even bluish. You'll often see them as a cluster of moving specks before you can make out any detail.
Their name comes from a forked, tail-like part folded under the body. When it snaps down against a surface, it flings the springtail into the air. That sudden jump is the easiest way to recognize them. Springtails can't fly, and they move in short, random hops rather than in a line like ants.
Why Springtails Show Up Indoors
Springtails need moisture to survive. Outdoors, they live in huge numbers in soil, mulch, leaf litter and moss, where they feed on mold, fungi, algae and decaying plant matter. They come indoors when they find damp conditions, either by wandering in from wet soil near the foundation or by living in damp spots already inside. Common places to find them include:
- Sinks, tubs and shower drains
- Bathrooms and kitchens with leaks under the cabinets
- Damp basements, crawl spaces and window wells
- Overwatered houseplants and potting soil
- Around windowsills where condensation collects
Heavy rain or very dry weather outside can both push springtails toward a house. When the soil gets waterlogged, or dries out, they move looking for steadier moisture.
How To Tell Springtails From Other Tiny Bugs
Springtails are easy to confuse with fleas, because both are tiny and both jump. There are a few differences to look for:
- They don't bite. Fleas bite people and pets. Springtails don't.
- Where you see them. Fleas show up on pets, bedding and carpets. Springtails gather in wet spots, sinks and plant pots.
- Body shape. Fleas are flattened side to side. Springtails are rounder or more elongated, with short antennae.
Silverfish are another bathroom regular, and they also point to dampness. If you're seeing both, our guide on why silverfish love your bathroom covers the moisture fixes that help with both.
Are Springtails A Problem?
As pests go, springtails are about as harmless as they come. They don't bite or sting, don't carry disease and don't damage wood, fabric, food or wiring. They can be alarming when hundreds appear at once, and large numbers can be a real nuisance. The bigger concern is what they're telling you. Because springtails feed on mold and mildew, a steady population inside usually means there's moisture, and possibly mold growth, somewhere nearby. That might be a slow plumbing leak, a damp wall or a basement with poor drainage.
How To Get Rid Of Springtails
Springtails disappear when their environment dries out. Focus on moisture first.
- Fix leaks. Check under sinks, around toilets and tubs and near appliances for drips and damp spots.
- Lower humidity. Run a dehumidifier in the basement and use bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.
- Let houseplants dry out. Water less often and allow the top of the soil to dry between waterings. Repot plants with soggy, moldy soil.
- Clean up mold and mildew. Remove the food source from window sills, shower corners and damp storage areas.
- Dry the foundation area. Pull mulch back from the house, clean gutters and point downspouts away from the walls.
- Seal gaps. Caulk cracks around windows, doors and pipe openings to cut down on springtails coming in from outside.
In the meantime, you can simply vacuum or wipe up springtails you see. Spraying them without fixing the moisture usually leads to more next week.
When To Call A Professional
If springtails keep coming back after you've dried out the obvious spots, the moisture is probably somewhere you can't easily see, like inside a wall, under flooring or in a crawl space. That's a good time to bring in help. A technician can trace where they're gathering, treat the perimeter where they're getting in and recommend home pest-proofing to close the gaps. EcoFusion's NJ DEP-licensed technicians use EPA-registered eco-safe products as part of an Integrated Pest Management plan.
So, are springtails a problem at your Clifton home? Not for your health or your house, but they are a sign of moisture worth tracking down. Dry things out and they'll fade away on their own. If they don't, EcoFusion Pest Control offers a free inspection to help you find the source.