Springtails: Identification, Causes & Control Guide
By Clark Pest Control Technical Services | Last Updated: September 26, 2026
Key Takeaways
Springtails are tiny jumping pests that live in damp soil, mulch, and leaf litter. They do not bite people or pets. They do not spread disease or damage your home. When they show up indoors in large numbers, it almost always means there is a moisture problem nearby. Fix the moisture and the springtails go away.
Quick answer: If you see tiny gray or white specks that pop into the air when you get close, you likely have springtails. They are about 1/16 inch long. They show up in sinks, tubs, damp basements, and potted plants, and they often move in after a spell of wet weather or when the yard dries out.
How to Identify Springtails
- Size: About 1/16 inch. Most people see them as moving specks.
- Color: Young springtails are whitish. Adults can be white, bluish, or dark gray to black.
- Wings: None. They do not fly.
- The jump: A small, tail-like part called a furcula folds under the body. When disturbed, it snaps down like a spring and launches them several inches.
That jump is the easiest way to tell them apart. Springtails are often mistaken for fleas. The difference is simple. Fleas feed on blood and live on pets. Springtails eat mold and rotting plant matter, and they never bite.
Why Springtails Come Inside
Springtails need moisture to live. Outdoors, they stay in damp soil, compost, organic mulch, leaf litter, and under bark or rotting wood. They feed on fungi, mold, algae, and decaying plants.
When the soil dries out, they go looking for water. They slip in through torn window screens, gaps under doors, and vent pipes. Some ride in on potted plants. Once inside, they gather where it stays wet:
- Sinks, tubs, and floor drains
- Damp basements and crawl spaces
- Wall voids with a slow leak
- Overwatered houseplants and wet plant saucers
Most springtails die soon after they come inside unless they find moisture. So if you keep seeing them in the same spot, look for the water source.
How to Get Rid of Springtails (6 Steps)
Moisture control works better than sprays. Here is what to do.
- Dry things out: Run a fan or dehumidifier in damp rooms. Air out crawl spaces and basements.
- Fix leaks: Repair dripping pipes and faucets, and check under sinks.
- Water plants less: Let potting soil dry out between waterings. Do not leave water standing in saucers.
- Pull mulch back: Thin out heavy mulch and wet leaves next to the foundation.
- Seal entry points: Repair torn screens and close gaps around doors, windows, and pipes.
- Vacuum: Vacuuming picks up springtails indoors and works as well as most sprays.
Insect sprays are not usually recommended for springtails. They only help for a short time if the damp conditions stay the same.
Clark's Expert Tip
Seeing springtails in the same room every day? Treat them as a moisture alarm. Check that room for a leak, a wet wall, or poor airflow. Finding the water can save you from mold and wood damage later.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do springtails bite?
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No. Springtails do not bite people or pets. They do not spread disease, and they do not damage furniture or your home.
Are springtails fleas?
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No. Both jump, so they are easy to mix up. Fleas live on animals and feed on blood. Springtails live in damp soil and eat mold and decaying plants. If the tiny jumpers are near a drain, a damp spot, or a houseplant, they are most likely springtails.
Why are springtails in my sink or bathtub?
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They come looking for water. Sinks, tubs, and floor drains stay damp, and the smooth sides make it hard for springtails to climb back out. Rinse them away and look for leaks nearby.
Are springtails in my houseplants a problem?
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Usually not. They are a sign the soil is staying too wet. Let the soil dry between waterings and empty the saucer. Some species can chew on seedlings, but they rarely harm grown plants.
When are springtails most common?
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Most people notice them in spring and early summer. They can show up any time of year in places that stay damp.
There are springtails in my pool. What should I do?
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Your pool filter will usually catch them. You can also scoop them out with a skimmer.
Source: UC Statewide IPM Program, Springtails Pest Note
Serving California and Northern Nevada
Clark Pest Control has served homes and businesses in California and Nevada since 1950. Our technicians know where moisture pests hide in local homes.
Still Seeing Springtails?
If springtails keep coming back, there may be hidden moisture in a wall, crawl space, or foundation. Clark Pest Control can find where they are coming from and help you stop them.
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