Susan, Generally speaking, springtails will not reproduce indoors. That's the good news. The bad news is a little harder to live with. We'll begin with my opinion that, while a number of pesticide labels include springtails among pests controlled, there are really no pesticides effective upon sprintails with the possible exception of diatomaceous earth. Then, understand that springtails live and reproduce out of doors and feed upon fungi/molds and pretty much any kind of decomposing vegetable matter. Think leaf litter and organic mulch surrounding the structure. When outside temperatures increase and moisture decreases, they move into the cooler indoors. Due to their minute size they are virtually impossible to exclude. Thus, the most effective and long-lasting solution is to keep decomposing organic matter surrounding or resting upon (clooged gutters, window wells, etc.) to a minimum. If organic mulch has been emplyed in foundation bedding, replace it with inorganic mulch such as pea gravel, rock or lava rock. Please don't shoot the messenger. Forrest E. St. Aubin, BCE Liaison, ESA/NPMA Chair, ESA-ACE Oversight Committee 12835 Pembroke Circle - Leawood, Kansas 66209 Phone: 913.927.9588 - Fax: 913.345.8008 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.saintaubinbce.com
"Old is always fifteen years from now." Bill Cosby -----Original Message----- From: "Susan Fishman-Armstrong" [[email protected]] Date: 02/28/2011 07:54 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [pestlist] Springtails We are having an outbreak of springtails. I have been working with our Risk Management Department and we have had the nest sprayed. However, I just checked our traps and either we didn’t get the nest, or it has moved. The springtails are around our collection objects and are drawing in beetles (probably to eat them). Does anyone have any idea of the most effective way to get rid of them? Thanks, Susie +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Susie Fishman-ArmstrongLaboratory CoordinatorAntonio J. Waring, Jr. Archaeological Laboratory University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA 30118 678-839-6303 (office)678-839-6306 (fax)www.westga.edu/~ajwlab/
