6 Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Springtails In Aquarium

Is managing an aquarium giving you hard times? Are you annoyed with those Springtails infesting your home aquarium? If yes, then you have landed in the right place. This article will be all about getting rid of Springtails in Aquarium with quick and easy methods. 

Springtails are small and wingless pests/ insects that develop in aquariums or other similar moist environments. Springtails are often harmless, but as their population grows, they can be harmful to aquatic plants and animals. And the worst part is, Springtails grow quickly, and within no time, they are out of control. These pests do have a range of benefits for the environment; it is ok not to like them in your aquarium. 

No matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned aquarist, you can always tackle springtails and keep your aquarium thriving. Join us in this article and explore effective methods to get rid of Springtails in the Aquarium. 

Springtails are tiny insects that thrive in damp and moist environments. They are often found in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas of the home that have high levels of moisture. While they are not harmful to humans, they can be annoying and unsightly. If you’re dealing with a springtail infestation, here are some steps you can take to get rid of them.

6 Steps To Deal With With Spring-tails Infestation

Step 1: Identify the Problem

Before you can get rid of springtails, you need to make sure that they are, in fact, the problem. Springtails are tiny and can be difficult to see with the naked eye. However, if you notice tiny, jumping insects in your home, especially in damp areas, there’s a good chance that they are springtails.

Step 2: Eliminate Moisture

Springtails thrive in damp and moist environments, so the first step in getting rid of them is to eliminate any sources of moisture in your home. This can include fixing leaky pipes, using a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels, and making sure that bathrooms and kitchens are properly ventilated.

Step 3: Clean Your Home

Springtails are attracted to organic matter, so keeping your home clean can help to deter them. Vacuuming carpets and furniture, wiping down surfaces with a damp cloth, and sweeping floors can all help to eliminate potential food sources for springtails.

Step 4: Use Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance that can be used to kill springtails. It is made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, which are tiny aquatic organisms. Diatomaceous earth is safe for humans and pets, but it is lethal to insects. Simply sprinkle diatomaceous earth around areas where springtails are present, and it will kill them on contact.

Step 5: Use Pesticides

If the infestation is severe, you may need to use pesticides to get rid of springtails. There are a variety of insecticides that can be used to kill springtails, including pyrethroids, which are derived from chrysanthemum flowers. However, it’s important to use these pesticides with caution, as they can be harmful to humans and pets if not used properly.

Step 6: Call in a Professional

If you’ve tried all of the above steps and are still struggling with a springtail infestation, it may be time to call in a professional pest control company. They will have the expertise and equipment needed to safely and effectively eliminate springtails from your home.

How Did Springtails Get In My Aquarium?

Springtails are small insects, basically tiny arthropods. These pests are most commonly found in leaf litter, soil, and a range of other organic materials. If you observe springtails in your aquarium, you might be wondering how? Well, Springtails can enter your aquarium in a number of ways, including:  

1. Through Live plants that you may have recently included in your aquarium. The Springtails may be there present in the plant itself or came along with the soil.  
2. If not plants, springtails can enter your aquarium while you are trying to introduce a new animal into the setup. They may come along with shrimp or snails or even through rocks and driftwood. 
3. While you are using used soil or organic material as a substrate for your aquarium, you may likely encounter Spring tales. It happens since Spring tales can be present there in the substrate, eventually entering the aquarium. 
4. Or, Springtails comes along while you fill your aquarium with water. Natural water sources like streams or well do contain springtails.

While Springtails seem like a nuisance in the aquarium when in a lesser number they won’t harm fish or other aquatics. However, a larger population of these pests can definitely prove a problem to your aquarium’s environment. Therefore, before the growing population of Springtails becomes a problem, it is important to address them. 

Springtail Eruption: How To Overcome?

If you are an aquarium owner, Springtail eruption can be frustrating for you. Springtails are tiny insects that grow in moist environments and can rapidly increase in population. The growing population of these insects can be harmful to both aquatic animals and plants. However, the concern should make you mad since there are multiple ways to overcome the problem of Springtail eruption. Some of them suggest:

1. Since Springtails thrive in moist environments, controlling humidity levels can help in reducing their population. Aquarium owners can either use a fan to reduce moisture levels or install a dehumidifier. 
2. Springtails thrive and feed on decaying organic matter; thus, removing any uneaten food or dead leaves will help. It will basically limit their ability to reproduce and thus will control their population. 
3. Maintain the cleanliness of your aquarium and remove all the matter that can contribute to the growth of springtails. 
4. Some insecticides or pesticides can help if the Springtail infestation is severe. However, since your aquarium will have aquatic plants and animals, it is important to consult experts and use products that are safe.
5. Or, introduce natural predators, including mites and snails. These predators will feed on Springtails and thus will help in controlling their population. 

Are Springtails, Collembola Really Harmless?

Springtails are tiny insects, and they are also known as Collembola. These pests, when in small numbers, are generally considered harmless. They, in fact, are beneficial to the ecosystem in an aquarium. Springtails in aquarium help in breaking downtown the organic matter while improving the nutrient content of the soil. However, if Springtails are present in large numbers, they can cause a nuisance. Their larger population can be harmful to both aquatic animals and plants.   

Springtails compete with aquatic plants for nutrients. When present in a larger number, these pests will consume more nutrients making plants deprived of the same. The nutrient deficiency for plants in the aquarium may cause stunted growth or even death.

In addition, these pests can also harm shrimps and snails by consuming their food source. Similarly, like with plants, malnutrition will impact aquatic animals as well. Besides that, the swarm of tiny insects on the surface of the water definitely disturbs the aesthetics.  

How Do I Trap Springtails From My Aquarium?

One of the most common ways to reduce the Springtail population is by trapping them. By trapping and removing them, you can attain a clean aquarium. Here are some popular tips that can trick the same. 

• Try creating a trap using a small plastic jar or cup. Fill the container with water till halfway and mix a few drops of any dish soap. Now place the container on the substrate of your aquarium while covering it with cucumber or apple slices. As the food item will attract Springtails, these pests will fall into the water and get trapped in the soapy water. 
• Or, make a sticky trap using double-sided tape for trapping springtails. Now place the sticky trap on areas where Springtails are prevalent, and it will trap the majority of them. 
• You can also try and vacuum Springtails out from your aquarium. Use a small aquarium vacuum on areas where Springtails are present. However, be careful around other aquatic animals and plants. 

However, it is important to note that trapping springtails isn’t enough. It is just another method to reduce their population, but it cannot entirely control the population. In addition to trapping, you will need to use a combination of practices, including cleaning and controlling.  

4 home remedy To kill springtails

Some common home remedies that can effectively kill springtails include:

• Diatomaceous earth: Take a handful of food-grade Diatomaceous earth and spread a thin layer of it on areas infested with Springtails. Diatomaceous earth has sharp edges that cut into the exoskeleton of pests, making them dehydrated and then eventually killing them. The same will process with Springtails. 
• White vinegar: Take a spray bottle and dilute white vinegar with water. Vinegar is acidic, and upon coming in contact, it can kill Springtails.
• Essential oils: Essential oils such as tea tree, peppermint, or eucalyptus can be effective in repelling and killing springtails. Mix a few drops of essential oil with water and spray it on the springtails.
• Baking Soda: Take a bowl, mix baking soda with water, and form a paste. Now apply this paste directly over Springtails. Baking soda has alkalinity, which helps in killing Springtails. 
• Saltwater: Take a spray bottle, and fill it halfway with warm water and 1 to 2 tablespoons of salt. Now mix it well and spray directly on Springtails. Salt with dehydrate and eventually kill the Springtails. 

However, while using any of these remedies, be cautious that none of them are harming aquatic animals and plants. 

Do Fish Eat Springtails? What Fish Eat Springtails? 

Yes, fish do eat Springtails but only a few species of them. Fishes that feed on small invertebrates and algae may eat Springtails as well. Some of the species amongst them include Betta fish, Guppies, Rasboras, and Endler’s livebearers. 

However, if you are particularly introducing any of these fishes in your aquarium to decrease Springtails, be cautious. Every fish has specific needs, and not all of them are social with each other. Also, different types of fish require different water conditions and diets to keep thriving. Thus, before keeping multiple species together, research well and consult an expert. 

Wrapping up…

This was all about ways and methods to get rid of Springtails in the Aquarium. We hope the various methods explained above will help you. Options from controlling humidity levels to introducing natural predators, using chemical treatments, and removing decaying organic matter tips are many. However, if nothing among them helps, it is better to consult a seasoned aquarist or an expert in the field.