Springtails are always found in the soil and are useful insects as they use dead plant matter. If springtails multiply too much on indoor plants, you should fight the insects quickly.
In a nutshell
- Springtails are useful insects and only damage plants if they multiply explosively
- the submerging of the root ball causes the springtails to float upwards
- Drought weakens the springtail population
- Predatory mites are an efficient means of controlling springtails
- Always repot affected houseplants to be on the safe side
lifestyle habits
Springtails are an important part of the cycle in nature because they break down organic material. By breaking down or decomposing, they make nutrients available to the plants again. A small population of springtails in the pot of your houseplant therefore has a positive effect.
There are different types of springtails. Common native species are:
- Blind jumper (Onychiurus fimatus)
- Flowerpot springtail (Folsomia candida)
- Girdled Springtail (Orchesella cincta)
- Ball jumper (Sminthurus viridis)
The springtails only become a problem after a strong appearance. If there is not enough dead organic material left, they also go to the roots and seedlings.
Ball jumper (Sminthurus viridis)
Tip: An increased occurrence of springtails can also be an alarm sign of problems with plants. If you water too much or fertilize excessively, the insects can multiply explosively.
water
Although springtails prefer a moist environment, you can naturally fight the insects with water. To do this, place the plant in a large bucket or bucket and fill with water up to above the substrate. Leave the plant in the water for half an hour. Due to the lack of oxygen, the springtails come up and you can simply drain the insects. Then let the excess water in the substrate drain off. Refrain from watering the plant in the near future. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you should also repot the plant.
Notice: This procedure is only suitable for plants that can tolerate more moisture for a short time. For plants that prefer a dry substrate, you should choose other gentle means.
dryness
Since the springtails feel comfortable in a moist substrate, you can naturally combat the insects by significantly reducing the amount of watering. However, it takes longer for the root ball to dry enough that the number of springtails is also reduced. As a result, this gentle remedy only makes sense if the population is not yet excessively large.
predatory mites
Predatory mites are one way to combat many pests naturally. They not only attack springtails, but also fungus gnats. Predatory mites are particularly useful if you cannot clearly identify the insect species. You can get predatory mites in specialist shops as a natural means of combating pests.
Usually the following types are offered:
- Hypoaspis miles
- Hypoaspis aculeifer
Predatory mites have the advantage that they can decimate the population within a short time. If they no longer find any insects, they die or look for other food sources in neighboring pots.
repot
Predatory mites can be a sign of care mistakes, so it makes sense if you repot the plants quickly if they occur more frequently. By changing the substrate, you will already get rid of a large part of the springtails on indoor plants.
Instructions for repotting:
- Carefully lift out the plant
- Remove most of the substrate
- Check root area for damage
- Cut back damaged roots if necessary
- Wash the pot and saucer in hot water
- Fill the pot with fresh substrate
- insert plant
Notice: After repotting, refrain from fertilizing for at least three weeks and water only a few days after planting.
If the affected plant is hydroponic, you should completely remove the substrate and wash the root area. Clean the pot here as well and completely replace the granules.
Avoid springtails
There are several reasons why springtails can be found in the substrate of your houseplants. The most common reasons are a substrate that is too moist or excessive fertilization. Especially shortly after repotting, the mistake is made of watering too much or fertilizing too early. After repotting, water only moderately. This promotes root formation and you prevent harmful insects from finding a breeding ground. Fresh substrate is usually already rich in nutrients and you do not have to fertilize until three weeks after transplanting. When watering and fertilizing, always take into account the individual nutrient consumption of the plants. With some species, you may not need to fertilize at all after repotting.
Sometimes there are already many springtails in the purchased substrate. Therefore, always let the substrate dry completely before use, as this will also kill the insects.
frequently asked Questions
Are springtails also a problem outdoors?If your houseplants are outdoors in summer, you should also regularly check for springtails. Outdoors, the risk is greater that the insects will settle in the pot and find an ideal environment in it, for example due to frequent rainfall and dammed water, in order to multiply quickly.
How many springtails can there be in a pot?The population depends on many factors. Around 400,000 springtails per square meter can live in a humus-rich substrate.
When do I know there are too many springtails?As soon as the springtails start to appear more at the surface, the population has become too large. In this case, you should first check how it looks in the root area and, if necessary, immediately use gentle means to combat it.