How a Dehumidifier for Springtails Resolves and Prevents Infestations

They are very common household pests and can get into just about anywhere. They are harmless, but that doesn’t make them any less annoying. It doesn't help that they seem to appear out of nowhere and multiply overnight.

Worse, trying to get rid of them can feel like a losing battle because they thrive on one thing most houses have a lot of: moisture.

If you're tired of discovering springtails in your living space, it's time to change your approach. Learn what attracts them to your home and do something about it instead of merely removing the ones you see.

This article can show you how to do it. You'll also learn the benefits of using a dehumidifier to keep springtails from invading your home.

Facts About Springtails

To better understand the role of dehumidifiers in springtail control, let’s go over the basics first.

Springtails are tiny gray or black hexapods commonly found in damp soil enriched with decaying organic matter. They are quite agile, having the ability to jump distances of up to 10 centimeters. This is thanks to a forked appendage in their abdomen called the furcula.

When they sense danger, they deploy this appendage to propel or spring their body through the air (hence, their name).

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXgD0DsAaPw]

 

Springtails are soft-bodied hexapods, the “most abundant six-legged, non-insect on Earth,” according to New Scientist. Their color ranges from translucent white to dark gray, with some species having colorful patterns.

They measure only a twelfth or an eighteenth of an inch and have quick reflexes. They jump out of harm’s way when disturbed or if they sense danger nearby.

Springtails can have a “population explosion” of up to 50,000 per cubic foot of topsoil outdoors. Some species take only five weeks to develop from egg to maturity, and females can produce up to 400 eggs.

They can multiply aggressively when allowed. So, it’s important to take preventive measures as soon as you notice them in your house.

Do Springtails Bite?

Unlike other household pests, springtails are not harmful to humans or pets. They don’t bite or sting, and they’re not like dust mites whose excrement can trigger allergic reactions.

And yet, no one is comfortable seeing these little creatures all over their bathroom floor. No one also wants to see them in their clothes, on the sofas, and anywhere else in their home.

Where Do Springtails Come From?

Springtails live on the ground outdoors and simply find their way indoors through tiny cracks in the walls and foundation of a house. They thrive best in moist, mulched soil. They eat dead leaves and other decomposing matter, and you’ll find them wherever there are decomposing plants and fungi on the ground.

If you're into gardening, you'll be happy to find them in your yard because their presence implies that the soil is fertilized.

Springtails are a lot like mold in that respect. They have an important role in the natural world. However, they are not tolerated indoors. And just like the fungus, having a lot of them indoors means an area in the house is always wet.

If you find a growing number of them in your basement, there’s a good chance that water intrusion is keeping the floors damp.

Dehumidifier for Springtails: The Best for Pest Prevention

High indoor humidity can cause walls, floors, and cool surfaces to become damp. Wood and paper-based materials can also absorb and retain moisture from the air.

If there are signs of water damage in a room that doesn’t have a faucet or other water sources like roof or plumbing leaks, humidity might be the problem.

Use a dehumidifier for springtails to stop moisture problems in your home. Dehumidifiers send warm, humid air through a cooling coil to extract moisture before releasing lighter, fresher air back into the room.

The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30-50%. Lower than 30% makes the air feel dry; higher than 50% makes the air feel heavy, stuffy, and a chore to inhale.

Some people prefer to go a bit higher than 50%. However, they are already risking attracting mold and insects, including springtails.

Lowers Relative Humidity (RH)

This process lowers the indoor relative humidity (RH), which is the measure of water vapor in the air relative to the current temperature.

A high RH percentage means the air is saturated with moisture. If it reaches 100%, it means the air cannot hold any more water. If there's a puddle on the floor or a damp spot on the carpet, they cannot evaporate until the RH goes down again.

Therefore, once dehumidifiers bring indoor RH to a lower percentage, any remaining moisture in the room can evaporate faster. Damp carpets, furniture, and even drywall can dry out more thoroughly, thanks to dehumidifiers.

Stops Springtails from Multiplying

Will a dehumidifier get rid of springtails?

Yes, because it ensures the hexapods don’t get enough moisture that they need to survive.

Since they have a porous body and breathe and absorb moisture through their skin, they are sensitive to dry environments and will gravitate towards wet and moist places.

Maintaining low indoor humidity is a long-term preventive measure. This is because it also prevents the crawlers that are already inside your house from reproducing.

According to a study on ground-dwelling springtails, a small decrease in soil moisture content can stop their reproductive cycles. You may not see the results overnight when you use a dehumidifier for springtails. However, you should notice a gradual reduction in their population if you use the machine regularly.

Consistency is key to springtail prevention. The moment your house becomes damp or humid enough, they can stay and take advantage of the conducive environment.

How To Get Rid of Springtails in Basement

The basement is prone to moisture and humidity. Household dust, which can have up to 70-90% dead skin cells and pet dander, also gather in this part of the house.

Basements that fulfill the basic needs of springtails will inevitably become the spot where they’ll stay.

Here’s what you can do to get them out of the basement:

1. Use a dehumidifier for springtails for at least an hour a day. If the space had been recently flooded or the humidity and moisture levels are unnaturally high, you may have to keep it running 24/7 for a few days. You can gradually reduce the number of hours as the space starts drying out.
2. If there are windows, open them during the evenings or whenever the weather is cool and not humid outside to ventilate the space.
3. If there are no windows, use air circulators or install a vent to promote air flow and improve ventilation.
4. If you store some stuff in cardboard boxes, replace these containers with plastic bins. They can become a food source if they get wet from humidity, leaks, water intrusion, or accidental spills.
5. Consider donating old books that you’re never going to read again. Springtails are common in damp, yellow pages of books that have been undisturbed for years in basements.
6. If there are damp spots on the floor, sprinkle them lightly with borax to kill any lingering springtails.
7. Use the vacuum if there’s a lot of springtails gathering in one spot.
8. Seal cracks in the walls and floors, and caulk windows to prevent humid air and the hexapods from entering.
9. Treat moldy spots as quickly as possible. Springtails can also feed on fungi, so wipe them off with an antibacterial solution as soon as you find fuzzy dots in the basement.

How to Kill Springtails in Drains and Sinks

Springtails understandably love drains and sinks because they are constant sources of moisture. As long as people use it, a sink will always have some water in the U-bend.

Drains, of course, are direct paths to household drainage pipes and then the main sewer line beneath the sidewalk or street. With shower runoffs and food particles washing down the drains, you shouldn’t be surprised to find little crawlers coming up from the plumbing.

Here are some tips to help you get rid of springtails in sink and drainpipes:

1. Lightly sprinkle borax around the drains and on the sink. This helps create a barrier against springtails crawling up from the pipes.
   Reminder: Use a glove to avoid direct skin contact with the powder.
2. Use insecticides formulated specifically for springtails. Most products in the market are pyrethroid-based and pyrethrin-based aerosols.
   Of these two, pyrethrins are the safest to use indoors because they lose potency after a few hours. You can even spray them on potted plants, and they won’t harm the foliage.
3. Spray a mixture of water plus natural repellents like vinegar, neem oil, or essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus. These liquids, in small amounts, are environmentally friendly and won’t damage your plumbing.
4. Wipe the sink after washing. Mop the floor and wipe down the shower walls after bathing to reduce moisture.
5. Open nearby windows to ventilate the space.
6. Use a dehumidifier on humid days or during winter and rainy seasons, when bathrooms take longer to dry.
7. If your house has a crawl space, consider investing in vapor barriers and hiring professionals to encapsulate the area. Encapsulation keeps crawl spaces dry and protects your home not only from pests but also from early deterioration.

Having a Dehumidifier for Springtails Keeps Pests Away

Endless cleaning routines.

Setting up insect traps near the doors and on windowsills.

Buying several insecticide sprays to find one that works against springtails, all without making your house smell of chemicals.

We do all these and more to make our homes a true haven where we can lay back, relax, and feel 100% comfortable.

It doesn’t matter that springtails aren’t harmful like mold and other common household pests. If their presence makes your skin crawl and makes you want to leave your house, you’ve every right to do what you can to get rid of them.

Dehumidifiers for springtails are a welcome solution. They don’t just solve pest and moisture problems once but also prevent future infestations before they even start.

Additionally, once you set them up, they will do the hard work for you. Your living spaces will stay dry, have consistently balanced humidity, and ultimately become less appealing to these moisture-seeking insects moving forward. With dehumidifiers, you can protect moisture-prone areas in your house and your peace of mind.

If you’re serious about keeping springtails away for good, a reliable dehumidifier is not only helpful but also essential for creating a home where pests simply can’t thrive. Argendon is the best dehumidifier for springtails you can find in the market.

Well-built, smartly designed, and with useful features and none of the bloatware serves nothing but raise the price; Argendon will serve you and your home for many years to come.

Solve your springtail activity problem with Argendon. Browse our Shop today.