Q. Each year around the end of February until the end of May
I experience and irritating problem with springtails. Do you have and
suggestions how to eliminate them? I don’t have decaying plants or problem with
water in that area.
I experience and irritating problem with springtails. Do you have and
suggestions how to eliminate them? I don’t have decaying plants or problem with
water in that area.
A. Springtails are tiny insects that jump in the air en
masse when disturbed, usually at ground level. They love it wet.
Springtails are sometimes confused with leafhoppers. But leafhoppers, also very
small, reproduce and feed higher on plant leaves of plants like grapes and
vegetables. Leafhoppers start appearing about April or May, the time when
springtails are disappearing because of the heat and dryness. Both jump about
the same distances when disturbed but look totally different with a hand lens
or microscope.
masse when disturbed, usually at ground level. They love it wet.
Springtails are sometimes confused with leafhoppers. But leafhoppers, also very
small, reproduce and feed higher on plant leaves of plants like grapes and
vegetables. Leafhoppers start appearing about April or May, the time when
springtails are disappearing because of the heat and dryness. Both jump about
the same distances when disturbed but look totally different with a hand lens
or microscope.
I can
see you know this insect because springtails are found commonly in wet soils with
rotting or decaying plants or infesting open bodies of water like summing pools
and puddles. That would’ve been my first comment to you if you hadn’t made that
last statement. Sometimes springtails become a nuisance inside the house in wet
areas with light like bathrooms. Outside, I commonly see them in cooler, dark areas
of lawns that are kept too wet during the cooler months. Springtails like stagnant,
wet areas and are attracted to light. I’ve seen them as nuisance problems in
swimming pools or spas. Leafhoppers, on the other hand, like it hot and dry.
see you know this insect because springtails are found commonly in wet soils with
rotting or decaying plants or infesting open bodies of water like summing pools
and puddles. That would’ve been my first comment to you if you hadn’t made that
last statement. Sometimes springtails become a nuisance inside the house in wet
areas with light like bathrooms. Outside, I commonly see them in cooler, dark areas
of lawns that are kept too wet during the cooler months. Springtails like stagnant,
wet areas and are attracted to light. I’ve seen them as nuisance problems in
swimming pools or spas. Leafhoppers, on the other hand, like it hot and dry.
The
bottom line in all habitats suitable for springtails is water or wetness. If it’s
dry, they will disappear. They must feed and so rotting or decaying plants is
important nearby, but water and wetness is more important. So, in our
climate oftentimes they are found in irrigated shady spots.
bottom line in all habitats suitable for springtails is water or wetness. If it’s
dry, they will disappear. They must feed and so rotting or decaying plants is
important nearby, but water and wetness is more important. So, in our
climate oftentimes they are found in irrigated shady spots.
I know
what you told me, but the key to managing or eliminating these guys is drying
up wet areas. This might be as simple as improving air circulation in that
area. Wetness is oftentimes accentuated in darker areas without much air
movement or north sides of buildings.
what you told me, but the key to managing or eliminating these guys is drying
up wet areas. This might be as simple as improving air circulation in that
area. Wetness is oftentimes accentuated in darker areas without much air
movement or north sides of buildings.
Pesticides
do not work in the long haul. It’s really getting the area to dry up will or at
least should clean up the problem. Ways to dry it out are to get more air
movement in that area and/or more light. The rooting plants (organic matter
they use for feed) will eventually disappear with time.
do not work in the long haul. It’s really getting the area to dry up will or at
least should clean up the problem. Ways to dry it out are to get more air
movement in that area and/or more light. The rooting plants (organic matter
they use for feed) will eventually disappear with time.
Be careful of excessive irrigation nearby. Do not water
daily. Water and then let the surface area dry out.
daily. Water and then let the surface area dry out.
Use deeper rooted plants in the area if plants are there.
Bigger, deep rooted plants can handle longer periods of time without water
applied.
Bigger, deep rooted plants can handle longer periods of time without water
applied.
If mulch is present, let it dry out before irrigating
again or remove it. If rock is used, smaller rock like ¼ inch minus might allow
you to keep the area drier and longer times between irrigations.
again or remove it. If rock is used, smaller rock like ¼ inch minus might allow
you to keep the area drier and longer times between irrigations.
If it is unbearable then try spraying the area starting
in late January with one of the horticultural oils. Spray the surface of the
soil in hopes of suffocating them.
in late January with one of the horticultural oils. Spray the surface of the
soil in hopes of suffocating them.
I would like you to read the information at this link
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74136.html