How to control springtails?

Springtails (Collembola) are insects that feed on organic matter, especially in the top soil layer. They eat fungi, algae, mosses and dead leaves, among other things. This initially seems positive, but this process affects the roots of living plants. In potted plants, they are an increasing problem, especially when growing young plant material. This pest can also occur in other open-field crops.

Not only root damage is a problem, but also the fact that the springtails are left behind in the cultivation medium for the larger plants. This creates problems for exports, because exporters have to deliver their products free of organisms to customs. Springtails are around all year and they can be present in the soil in enormous numbers. Because they can go without food for a very long time, they can survive very well. They feel especially at home in soils in a high humidity climate.
Springtails
Jan-Paul de Wit
Product specialist Crop Protection | July 14, 2023 | 3 min. reading time

Springtail detection

A springtail is 2 to 4 mm in size and has no wings. It has appendages on its abdomen, which form a so-called spring fork (to which this creature owes its name). The spring fork allows the springtail to exert a great force and therefore make big leaps. Its color varies from black, blue and purple to white.

Springtail Prevention

Certain measures can be taken to prevent springtails:
  • Springtails thrive best in high humidity levels. The use of drier cultivation conditions makes the climate less attractive to them.
  • Mosses, algae and molds are important nutritional sources for springtails. So, make sure that their presence is minimal in the soil.

Springtail control

Springtails cannot be controlled by chemical plant protection products, as these are not available. Biological agents can be used. For more details, see below.

Biological springtail control

Biological control can be done by natural enemies. For springtail control you can use the predatory mites:The predatory mite helps control the eggs, larvae and pupae of springtail. The soil predatory mite will not go into the plant. You can also choose to steam soil to control springtail. This method kills both the eggs and the larvae as well as the adult springtails.
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Categories:
Crop protection
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ArticleFloricultureVegetable growing

How to control springtails?

Springtails (Collembola) are insects that feed on organic matter, especially in the top soil layer. They eat fungi, algae, mosses and dead leaves, among other things. This initially seems positive, but this process affects the roots of living plants. In potted plants, they are an increasing problem, especially when growing young plant material. This pest can also occur in other open-field crops.

Not only root damage is a problem, but also the fact that the springtails are left behind in the cultivation medium for the larger plants. This creates problems for exports, because exporters have to deliver their products free of organisms to customs. Springtails are around all year and they can be present in the soil in enormous numbers. Because they can go without food for a very long time, they can survive very well. They feel especially at home in soils in a high humidity climate.
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Jan-Paul de Wit
Jan-Paul de Wit
Product specialist Crop Protection | July 14, 2023 | 3 min. reading time
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Springtails

Springtail detection

A springtail is 2 to 4 mm in size and has no wings. It has appendages on its abdomen, which form a so-called spring fork (to which this creature owes its name). The spring fork allows the springtail to exert a great force and therefore make big leaps. Its color varies from black, blue and purple to white.

Springtail Prevention

Certain measures can be taken to prevent springtails:
  • Springtails thrive best in high humidity levels. The use of drier cultivation conditions makes the climate less attractive to them.
  • Mosses, algae and molds are important nutritional sources for springtails. So, make sure that their presence is minimal in the soil.

Springtail control

Springtails cannot be controlled by chemical plant protection products, as these are not available. Biological agents can be used. For more details, see below.

Biological springtail control

Biological control can be done by natural enemies. For springtail control you can use the predatory mites:The predatory mite helps control the eggs, larvae and pupae of springtail. The soil predatory mite will not go into the plant. You can also choose to steam soil to control springtail. This method kills both the eggs and the larvae as well as the adult springtails.
Related products
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Jan-Paul de Wit will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Jan-Paul de Wit
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