Sometimes it’s not the biting or stinging bugs that are the worst.
Don’t misunderstand us: They are bad, too. But often the worst bugs are the nuisance pests, the ones that get in your way as you're conducting your normal day or that you have to constantly pick up after once you find them in your home.
One of these in Central and Southern Maryland is the springtail. These tiny pests may not cause much damage, but they still aren’t welcome in your home.
Let’s review what these bugs look like and how you can prevent springtails.
Finding out if you have springtails starts with proper identification.
Springtails are extremely tiny insects, ranging from 1 to 2 millimeters long. That’s less than ⅛ of an inch, so they are pretty hard to spot.
You might be wondering, “Where do springtails come from?” Springtails are drawn to moisture, feeding on algae, fungi, pollen, and decaying organic matter. Springtails may be an important part of soil ecosystems, but they are a nuisance in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements in Central and Southern Maryland homes. While they root through soil and leaves to find food, they may also be drawn to mold or fungi in your walls or windows.
When you identify springtails in your home, don’t panic. They won’t hurt or bite your home’s residents, and they won’t damage your clothes or building materials the way termites or other pests might.
But they sure can be annoying when you find them under carpets or near basement drains inside your house.
Here are some of the best ways to keep them outside where they belong.
Springtails come into your home for only two reasons: moisture and food.
Outside they eat decaying vegetation, algae, and bacteria, fertilizing the soil. Inside, they are attracted to bits of mold in your walls. So if you find springtails indoors, it’s a good sign you have another problem to deal with in your home, particularly related to moisture.
To prevent springtails, manage dampness, mold, and humidity in your Central or Southern Maryland home by fixing water leaks and drying out moist areas with dehumidifiers.
Since springtails are drawn to moisture, you don’t want things you’re doing outside to draw moisture closer to your home, along with pests that like those conditions like springtails.
Keep your irrigation system and faucets leak-free to prevent springtails.
Humidity hangs in the air when there’s no circulation.
If springtails are drawn to humidity and moisture, it’s natural to assume how to get rid of springtails involves managing this humidity.
To do that, boost the air circulation in your home to eliminate dampness.
To prevent springtails and a variety of bugs, you can also follow some simple pest control basics.
Start by keeping branches pruned around your home, and store any firewood you have a minimum of 20 feet away from your home.
And then to make it harder for springtails to enter your home, make sure to seal cracks and crevices around windows or your foundation with silicone or caulk.
You might suspect springtails, but you might not have the time to search for such small pests, let alone have the knowledge to know where to look.
If you suspect springtails, hiring a pest control professional can certainly help.
Signing up for general pest control treatments that include inspections can make preventing springtails easier. You don't have to worry about finding bugs because you have professional eyes on your property, and the perimeter treatments they provide can further even keep pests from coming in.
Springtails may not be the worst pests you can find in your Central and Southern Maryland home. Think cockroaches, mice, and termites. Ew!
But when springtails invade your space, they can be pesky. No one likes to feel as if their home is becoming a nest for pests.
We understand. If you’re concerned about springtails in your home, we’d like to help. Hiring a reputable pest control company with experienced technicians can give you peace of mind, while eliminating these bugs for good.
We want you to be able to enjoy your home -- insect-free. Give us a call and we’ll bring our proven pest control experience and create a custom plan for your Central and Southern Maryland residence. Get started today with a free quote.
Image Source: Springtail on leaf, springtail, springtail header, sprinkler system