Springtails and pscosids do not often originate from "down below" the trap. Moth or sewer flies might. The minute guys often originate in the slime mold and mosit areas around the drain cover and inside the pipe above the trap. For those unused drains in storage areas, a much more permanent solution is to remove the grated cover, lay a piece of fiberglass window screen over the hole, replace the cover, and trim the screening around the edges of the cover. You will then never have to worry about the next time someone flushes the "mineral oil" down the drain.
Tom Parker -----Original Message----- From: Wilkinson, Paul <[email protected]> To: pestlist <[email protected]> Sent: Wed, Mar 2, 2011 1:35 pm Subject: RE: [pestlist] Springtails An even easier solution is to pour a bucket of water to replenish that which has dried out in the P-trap. Then add a teaspoon of mineral oil, which floats on top and reduces the future rate of evaporation. If you keep the P-trap seal intact, gases and bugs from down below cannot get out! Good Luck Paul Wilkinson Steritech, Annapolis, MD From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Anderson, Gretchen Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 9:53 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [pestlist] Springtails These are great ideas. A combination of blocking, keeping your drains clean and the traps topped off are a good way to reduce these kind of populations. If you have drains that are no longer used, cap them! I experienced a situation some years ago where we had a serious invasion of American cockroaches, and tracked to a drain that was no longer in use. We capped it and the invasion stopped. For active drains – keep them clean! Good luck! Gretchen From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Crumpton, Trey Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 9:43 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [pestlist] Springtails Susie, We have had problems with moth flies and mosquitoes coming out of the floor drains in our restrooms. We cut squares of small gauge window screen (we used plastic or fiberglass) to fit under the grates, and have not had any problems with flying insects since. Springtails could probably fit through the mesh, but it may slow them down. You could also try cheese cloth or gauze….just make sure it won’t impede drainage in the event of a toilet overflow. Also be sure you are not violating fire code by putting something under the grate. Another side note: We had large numbers of springtails around our live animal exhibits. As soon as we implemented a good schedule of floor cleaning, vacuuming, and wiping up of spilled water, the problem disappeared. Springtails still breed inside our amphibian tanks, but as soon as they escape, they shrivel! Good luck, Trey Crumpton Assistant Collections Manager Mayborn Museum Complex Baylor University One Bear Place #97154 Waco, Texas 76798-7154 (254) 710-1190 Fax: (254) 710-1173 www.maybornmuseum.com From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Marcie Kwindt Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 6:45 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [pestlist] Springtails We have had issues with springtails in the past. In addition to Jim’s advice on looking for areas of moisture we found it quite helpful to clean out all floor and sink drains. Floor drains in a few of our labs appeared to be the focal point for our Collembola problems. Moist environment with lots of mildew and fungi…yum! Marcie Kwindt Conservation Technician / Technicienne en conservation Canadian Museum of Nature / Musee canadien de la Nature PO Box 3443 Stn. "D" / C.P. 3443, Succursale "D" Ottawa, ON / Ottawa (ON) K1P 6P4 Tel: 613-566-4787 Fax: 613-364-4027 Courriel / Email: [email protected] Please tell us how we helped you today. Click Here Dites-nous comment nous vous avons aidé aujourd’hui. Cliquez ici The results of the survey will be accumulated regularly (at least quarterly) and shared broadly. Thank you for your participation in this new initiative and in your continued efforts to provide scientific services to Canadians. Les résultats du sondage seront compilés régulièrement (au moins tous les trois mois) et diffusés globalement. Nous vous remercions de votre participation à cette nouvelle initiative et de vos efforts constants qui nous permettent de fournir des services scientifiques aux Canadiens. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim Harmon Cal Pest Mgmt Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 1:11 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [pestlist] Springtails My experiences with Collembola problems is typically due to retained moisture. Do not use pesticide treatments. Best way to kill is to dry out the environment where you are seeing them. Check for plumbing leaks if on the interior areas and for condensation or other moisture problems if around exterior walls or if you have a crawlspace. Environmental modification is the only way to rid yourself of this pest. Jim Harmon California Pest Management, inc. 626-633-6620 From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Susan Fishman-Armstrong Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 5:53 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-Armstrong Laboratory Coordinator Antonio J. 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