If you have never heard of Collembola, you are not alone. Until a few years ago, these soil creatures were thought to be essentially harmless. Even doctors vehemently denied that springtails could infest human hair and skin. People suffering from chronic itching, biting, and tingling sensations were often thought of as delusional, but that mindset is slowly changing. There is increasing evidence to suggest that these tiny micro-pests can be surprisingly invasive.
Thanks to the tenacity of people like Dr. Frans Janssens and his colleague, Dr. Kenneth A. Christiansen, the scientific community is beginning to recognize that springtails can pose a very real threat to human comfort when present in large numbers . The two researchers collected dozens of reports from homeowners, doctors, and pest control operators in multiple countries, including many regions of the United States. Within the gray areas between casual testimony, scientific observation, and concrete medical documentation, an initial picture emerged. Springtails are everywhere, and it is not impossible for them to attach themselves to humans and animals.
As inhabitants of fertile soil, springtails are likely to be found anywhere. The more you water the lawn and apply fertilizer, the happier they will be. They are considered the most abundant arthropods on earth. Since prehistoric times, they have survived frigid winters and very hot summers, but their numbers decline exponentially in dry conditions.
Pet owners are particularly vulnerable to springtail infestation. Dogs and cats that trample on damp ground or wet grass can pick up springtails and carry them into the house; however, springtails are not likely to remain attached to pets like fleas unless the animal’s immune system is compromised (for example, if there is a fungal skin infection). Springtails are easily transferred between humans and animals. Close contact is not necessary. These acrobatic creatures can jump three to four feet. You may not always notice them catapulting through the air. They can be smaller than the head of a pin.
If the thought of a few springtails in the house makes you paranoid, relax. Their ability to divide and conquer will largely depend on environmental factors. Do you like to grow potted plants indoors? Does your foundation tend to flood after a good rain? Can you smell the mold behind the bathroom wall? Still waiting for a plumber to fix that leaky pipe under your kitchen sink? Who was president the last time you cleaned your air ducts? A damp, moldy environment is like Disneyland for a springtail.
Getting rid of an advanced infestation of springtails can be difficult because springtails are not classified as insects. They are defined as hexapods, primitive ancestors of modern insects. According to organic scientist David Glassel, chemical pesticides have no effect on the hexapod. Only natural insecticides will do the trick, and the best remedy is cedarwood oil.
Step by step guide to eliminate springtail infestation:
1.) Treat yourself and your pets with a cedarwood oil topical insecticide approved for use on humans and animals. Avoid cosmetic or aromatherapy grade cedarwood oil. It is not purified and usually comes from certain forms of cypress trees. Cedarwood oil that is formulated for home protection will kill ALL TYPES of parasites on contact, including springtails, lice, and all forms of moths. If you’re tempted to use an over-the-counter kit designed for lice control, don’t bother. It won’t work, it’s not enough to cover large areas, and it’s just not good for you. Such products contain lindane, a chemical banned for use with animals by the Environmental Protection Agency.
2.) Spray diapers, beds, and carpets with a fine mist of cedarwood oil. A suitable homemade formula will be very light and pure. In other words, it won’t stain the fabric.
3.) Use a cedarwood oil mist machine to penetrate unseen cracks and crevices in the home. Fog machines are normally considered optional, but advanced springtail infestations require aggressive measures. If you think your infestation is serious, or if you have actually SEEN large groups of springtails moving about on floors and walls, don’t waste your time.
4.) Use the smoke machine to treat the air ducts or hire a professional air duct cleaning company. Many people are surprised to discover that they have mold in their air ducts. It is not uncommon for mold to grow in your heating and cooling system from condensation from your air conditioner. Springtails feed on mold and thrive in moist conditions. Mold can also aggravate asthma and allergies. Air duct treatment addresses all of these difficulties.
5.) Buy the highest quality furnace filters available at your local store. Filters designed for the removal of allergens and dust mites are best. Change filters frequently.
6.) Look for places where moisture collects. Patch leaky roofs and pipes. Seal cracks around basement windows. Pay special attention to bathroom walls and cabinets under sinks.
7.) Remove houseplants, especially decorative trees that are in large pots filled with soil. Remember that springtails can be transported directly into your home through bags of potting soil.
8.) Take aggressive steps to control animal populations on your property. Double-bag garbage and don’t leave open garbage containers lying around. Animal foods that are stored outdoors should be stored in airtight containers. Use traps or repellants to control rodent, raccoon, and squirrel populations. Resist the urge to pet stray cats and dogs. Report any sightings of feral cats to your local animal control center.
9.) Watch out for ultra-rich potting soil and wooden gardening materials. Based on calls made to our pest control operation from across the country, springtail populations are often introduced into the home when truckloads of new mulch or soil are dumped on properties that previously had minimal landscaping. (Mulch traps moisture and promotes mold growth.) Seal cracks around basement windows before distributing natural landscaping materials around the perimeter of the house. If you are concerned about collembola populations outdoors, there are super-strength cedarwood oil concentrates designed to repel mosquitoes and kill insect populations in lawns and soil. Pet breeders, horse groomers, and ranchers use cedarwood oil concentrates to control all types of parasites in stables, paddocks, and pastures. A generous treatment in early spring or summer will go a long way to destroy the eggs and control multiple insect populations before they explode. Vet bills are EXPENSIVE. Destroy the parasites before they destroy you!
10.) Last but not least, avoid chemical pesticides. In February 2011, USA Today published an article titled “In-Utero Pesticide Exposure Linked to Learning Disabilities.” The study focused on permethrin, a chemical commonly used to combat household pests. As disturbing as it sounds, the topic is nothing new. Dozens of scientific studies have linked chemical pesticides to neurological disorders, breast cancer and birth defects in children living near farms where chemicals are sprayed. In a nationally televised ABC World News investigation, randomly administered flea and tick medications were found to have caused 44,000 serious reactions in a single year, including multiple deaths.
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