Springtails
Posted 12th October, 2025 in UncategorisedWhat are Springtails?
Springtails (Collembola) are tiny, white, microscopic soil-dwelling invertebrates that can be found living in the soil of your garden and houseplants. Springtails in Terrariums, Vivariums and Paludariums play a huge role in keeping your miniature ecosystem clean and balanced by eating mould.
Why do I want Springtails in my Terrarium?
1. Mould
Often referred to as “Nature’s Clean Up Crew”, Springtails feed on mould. Mould is a naturally occurring organism that serves a vital role in nature breaking down decaying organic matter. Mould spores can be found in potting mixes, mosses, timbers, rocks and on plants. While every precaution can be taken to prevent this when building a terrarium it is not always absolute.
Mould along with too much water is one of the number one killers of moss and many Terrarium plants. Terrariums, naturally are moist, humid, warm environments, the perfect place for mould to thrive and take over.
Over many years of building and maintaining Terrariums in Brisbane’s hot, humid summers we have noticed that mould can quickly spike and take over. It is best to be mindful of your environment and surroundings, if your home gets considerably warmer or if you have lights that on that are heating your Terrarium, mould outbreaks on moss, timbers and plants can be exacerbated. These outbreak can be reduced and controlled in a number of ways:
- open your Terrarium to check the temperature inside and remove the lid for short periods to allowing heat and moisture to dissipate;
- Wipe the condenstion from the inside of the glass if it has become excessive;
- use Hydrogen Peroxide on a Q Tip to wipe mould off surfaces (use sparingly to avoid killing Springtails!);
- introduce a springtail colony. These tiny insects are experts at keeping surfaces clean and mould-free. A colony will deal with mould before you know it’s there without you lifting a finger.
2. Completely Safe for Plants and Animals
Unlike some insects, springtails won’t harm your plants or terrarium animals. They coexist peacefully with frogs, geckos, isopods, and other microfauna, making them perfect for both plant only and bioactive animal setups.
How do I add Springtails to my Terrarium?
Springtail cultures can be purchased at Mappins Nursery, 240 Montague Road, West End. We sell a small colony to you in a container of charcoal.
We choose to use Charcoal for our Springtails, so that you can see them and so that you can add them to an existing Terrarium without compromising its landscape and beauty by adding additional substrates over existing mosses, plants and gravels that cannot be removed. To add Springtails to your Terrarium you can either
- Gently place the charcoal pieces with Springtails on it into your terrarium and gently tap the container to encourage any stragglers. The charcoal can be removed once Springtails have jumped off.
- Pick up the pieces of Charcoal with Tweezers and gently tap into your Terrarium.
Should I feed Springtails in my Terrarium?
NO. Feeding Springtails once in a Terrarium is not required. By doing so you run the risk of increasing your mould infestation.
What if I can’t see my Springtails?
Springtail cultures can be very difficult to see in planted Terrariums if they are burrowed into substrates, under mosses or in timbers. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Cultures will grow and decline depending on the available food source. Once established, they will reproduce quickly and maintain their population naturally.</p>
A small addition with Big Benefits
Springtails might be tiny, but they play a giant role in maintaining the health and beauty of your terrarium. By keeping things clean, balanced, and mould-free, these little invertebrates help your plants and microfauna thrive in harmony—just as nature intended