Springtails are minute arthropods valued for their beneficial roles in various ecosystems. People raise these tiny creatures as a clean-up crew in bioactive terrariums, a supplemental food source for small exotic pets, or as an engaging hobby. Found globally in moist environments, they decompose organic matter and consume fungi. Raising a thriving springtail colony is a straightforward process.
Establishing a Colony
Select a clear plastic tub for your springtail habitat. These containers allow for observation and often have tight-fitting lids to prevent escape. Taller containers also help contain springtails that jump when the lid is removed. Some containers need small air holes covered with fine mesh or micropore tape, though extensive airflow is not required. Unvented containers work if opened every few days for air exchange, preventing carbon dioxide buildup from overfeeding or high population density.
Choose a substrate important for springtail health and reproduction. Horticultural charcoal (not briquettes) is a popular, effective medium, offering ample surface area and deterring mites. Other options include coco coir, sphagnum moss, organic soil mixes, or clay-based substrates. Sterilize soil to avoid introducing unwanted pests or pathogens.
Consistent moisture and humidity are crucial for springtail survival, as they cannot tolerate dry conditions. The substrate must remain moist but not waterlogged. Regular misting with dechlorinated water maintains humidity, ideally between 70% and 100%.
Springtails thrive in temperatures between 65°F and 80°F (18°C to 27°C). Temperatures consistently above 80°F slow their reproductive rates.
Introduce your initial springtail culture once the habitat is prepared. One method involves gently tapping the starter culture’s contents into the new container. For charcoal-based cultures, the “float” method is effective: add water to the original culture, and springtails, being hydrophobic, will float to the surface. They can then be carefully poured into their new home, ensuring a safe transfer and establishing a foundational population.
Ongoing Care and Propagation
Sustaining a healthy springtail colony requires consistent feeding. Springtails are detritivores, consuming decaying organic matter, fungi, and mold, making them efficient decomposers. Nutritional yeast, like brewer’s yeast, is a common food source that also discourages mites. Other options include uncooked rice grains, powdered fish flakes, vegetable scraps, or specialized commercial springtail foods.
Feed sparingly, one to three times per week, providing only what springtails can consume within a few days. Overfeeding quickly leads to mold or other organisms, causing a colony crash. A small amount of mold forming on food, particularly yeast or rice, is a positive sign, as springtails readily feed on it.
Continuously maintain appropriate moisture and humidity. Regular misting with dechlorinated water keeps the substrate consistently moist without becoming waterlogged. For charcoal cultures, a shallow layer of standing water, around 1/2 inch, helps maintain high humidity. A dry environment causes springtails to seek moisture, leading to escape attempts or colony decline.
Prevent excessive mold growth, beyond the beneficial kind springtails consume, for colony health. Promptly remove any uneaten food that begins to spoil to mitigate mold outbreaks. While springtails consume mold, an overwhelming amount indicates overfeeding or insufficient ventilation. If needed, a partial substrate change every few months refreshes the environment and removes accumulated waste.
Under optimal conditions, springtails reproduce rapidly. A healthy, growing colony shows a visible increase in individuals, including many smaller juveniles.
Utilizing Your Springtails
Once your springtail colony is established, several methods exist for harvesting. The “flooding” method is effective: add water to the culture, and hydrophobic springtails will float to the surface, allowing them to be gently poured into their destination. Another approach involves gently tapping the container or shaking springtails off a piece of charcoal or the lid directly into a new enclosure. For targeted collection, place a small piece of food, like fruit or a leaf with yeast, in the culture to attract springtails for transfer with the bait.
The primary application for cultured springtails is their role as a clean-up crew in bioactive terrariums and vivariums. They consume mold, fungi, decaying plant matter, and animal waste, preventing buildups and contributing to a balanced ecosystem. Their feeding activities also aerate the substrate and cycle nutrients. Springtails serve as a supplemental food source for small exotic pets, including dart frogs, mantids, spiderlings, and small fish.