Springtail

Natural Habitat

Damp environments like soil, leaf litter, and fungi. Indoors, they are found in areas with high moisture such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens, often near sinks or potted plants.

Diet & Feeding

They feed primarily on mold, fungi, algae, and decaying organic matter.

Behavior Patterns

Gets its name from a spring-loaded, forked appendage (furcula) on its abdomen that allows it to jump when disturbed. They are attracted to moisture and often appear in large numbers, especially after rain or in damp indoor areas. They do not fly.

Risks & Benefits

Springtails are harmless to humans, pets, and building structures; they do not bite or spread disease. They are considered a nuisance pest indoors, and their presence usually indicates a moisture problem. Outdoors, they are beneficial decomposers that help recycle nutrients in the soil.

Identified on: 11/7/2025