Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Home Horticulture:
Environmentally Responsible
Gardening & Landscaping in the Low Desert
Springtails in the Low Desert
DESCRIPTION:
Insect less than 1/8" long with projection that is bent underneath body. Looks like tiny shrimp. Brownish black in color. They seem to ‘jump' by using a ‘tail' that is locked under their abdomen and released to ‘spring'.
DAMAGE:
These are a nuisance pest only, they do not bite or sting. These are seasonal especially during the "monsoon" when they can build up to extremely high numbers. When moisture dries up, they migrate from lawns and may enter homes under doors or through window sills, where they are attracted to lights and moisture in bathrooms or sinks. Occasionally they form floating masses in swimming pools.
MANAGEMENT:
Springtails need high moisture to survive. Once conditions dry, their numbers will decrease due to mortality. Vacuum up those that enter homes or use common household insecticides to kill them.
To Gardening & Landscaping in Maricopa County, AZ
Springtails
Visitors since June 8, 1998
Last Updated June 8, 1998
© 1998 The University of Arizona,
College of Agriculture,
Cooperative Extension,
in Maricopa County
Comments to Lucy Bradley, BradleyL@ag.arizona.edu
4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040, (602) 470-8086 ext. 323
http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/bugs/springtl.htm