Springtail Care Guide
Housing
Use a plastic container with an airtight lid. Containers with gaskets are ideal as they prevent escapees and unwanted intruders. Drill only a few tiny holes on the LID of the container and cover them with a super fine mesh (I personally use a layer of fine mesh & micropore tape). Springtails do not require a lot of ventilation, so 2-3 tiny holes goes a long way!
For Substrate, it very much depends on the species.
Tropical white springtails(Collembola sp.) Coco Coir, Organic soil, etc., are all fine options. They seem to do very well on a Charcoal & clay substrates and have no issues if you decide to go that route.
Lobella sp.,Yuukianura aphoruroides, & Ceratophysella Sp. are a bit more picky about their substrates. These are burrowing species so Clay and Charcoal substrates DO NOT seem like the best options for them IME. A 50/50 mix of Organic Soil & Flake soil with a small amount of charcoal is what I personally use with great success.
Diet
Offer foods such as Fish Flakes, Dog/Cat Food, Bee Pollen etc. They will occasionally eat small amounts of Rotting fruits & Veg - Fresh produce is usually ignored. Feed sparingly and ensure uneaten food is consumed within a few days. Remove excess to avoid mold growth, as this can be detrimental to the colony.
Temperature & Humidity
Springtails prefer warm and humid conditions. Maintain:
- Temperature: 70–85°F (21–29°C).
- Humidity: High humidity, around 70–90%.
Mist the enclosure as needed to keep the substrate moist, but avoid flooding. Attempt to always have water drops on walls of enclosure.
Breeding & Life Cycle
Springtails reproduce quickly when given the right conditions. Females lay eggs in the substrate, which hatch within 1–2 weeks depending on temperature. Juveniles mature in about 2–4 weeks and are ready to breed shortly after.
Colonies are self-sustaining and can grow exponentially if food and environmental conditions are optimal. Divide or feed off the colony as needed to prevent overcrowding.