Everything You Need To Know About Using Springtails For Tarantulas

Springtails can be a great addition to a tarantula enclosure. These tiny hexapods act as clean up crews, helping to keep the substrate clean and free of mold, fungus, and decaying matter. However, springtails aren’t necessarily suitable for all tarantula species or setups. Here’s a detailed guide on using springtails for tarantulas.

What Are Springtails?

Springtails (Collembola) are omnivorous hexapods that thrive in moist environments. There are over 1000 known springtail species. Most species are very small measuring just 1-10 mm in length.

Springtails get their name from a unique tail-like appendage called a furcula that is folded up beneath their abdomen. This furcula allows springtails to spring into the air when threatened. It acts like a spring, quickly snapping against the ground and catapulting the springtail upwards.

In the wild, springtails play an important role in breaking down organic matter in soil. They feed on mold, fungi, decaying plant matter, pollen, and even feces. Their movements help aerate the soil and distribute nutrients.

Benefits Of Using Springtails For Tarantulas

There are several benefits to using springtails in tarantula enclosures:

• Clean up crews – Springtails primarily feed on mold fungi algae, and decaying plant matter in the substrate. This helps keep the enclosure clean and prevents potentially harmful molds or fungus from growing.

• Manage mites – Springtails may help control mite populations by competing for resources.

• Affordable – Springtails can be purchased very cheaply online or at pet stores. Cultures usually cost just a few dollars

• Easy to maintain – Once added to the enclosure, springtails will thrive and reproduce readily as long as humidity and food sources are present. No extra care is required.

• Good for all life stages – Springtails can be used in enclosures for spiderlings, juveniles, and adults. Their small size prevents them from harming or disturbing the tarantula.

Suitable Tarantula Species And Setups

While springtails offer some benefits, they aren’t suitable for all tarantula enclosures. Here are some factors to consider:

• Tropical species – Springtails require moderately high humidity levels to thrive. They are best suited for tropical tarantula species that need more humid enclosures, like many Avicularia, Psalmopoeus, and Poecilotheria species.

• Desert species – Springtails will quickly die off in the drier enclosures used for desert-dwelling tarantulas like Grammostola, Brachypelma, and Aphonopelma species. Avoid using springtails with tarantulas from arid regions.

• Matured enclosures – Adding springtails to brand new enclosures may cause high mortality rates. Allow the substrate to mature for 3-5 weeks before introducing springtails so some mold and fungus have time to accumulate for them to eat.

• Deeper substrates – Springtails do best when there is a deeper layer of substrate for them to move through. Enclosures should have at least 2-3 inches of substrate.

• Proper humidity – Springtails need relatively high humidity to survive. Make sure the enclosure has proper moisture levels and is misted regularly. Digital hygrometers can help monitor conditions.

How To Add Springtails To The Enclosure

Adding springtails to a tarantula enclosure is very simple:

• Purchase a springtail culture from an online vendor or local pet store. Cultures contain ready-to-use springtails and usually cost just a few dollars.

• For a typical 30×30 cm tarantula enclosure with 3 inches of substrate, add around 30-50 springtails. This provides a starting population that can establish and reproduce.

• Gently sprinkle the springtails directly onto the substrate in areas the tarantula doesn’t frequent. Spread them out to distribute them throughout the enclosure.

• Mist the substrate lightly after adding the springtails to provide moisture.

• To help feed the springtails initially, sprinkle a very small pinch of baker’s yeast onto the substrate once a week. The springtails will feast on the yeast.

• Sit back and let the springtails get to work! Monitor their population and add more if their numbers decline.

Maintaining The Right Springtail Population

The springtail population should be self-sustaining once established in the enclosure. But the population can fluctuate over time. Here are some tips for maintaining optimal springtail numbers:

• Avoid overcrowding – Limit the initial starting population to around 30-50 springtails for a 30x30cm enclosure. Overcrowding may stress the tarantula.

• Reduce humidity to decrease numbers – If the springtail population booms, cut back on misting frequency and remove the water dish temporarily to reduce humidity and decrease their numbers.

• Remove uneaten food – Clear out any uneaten prey items quickly so they don’t serve as additional springtail food sources.

• Add supplemental springtails – If the population crashes from very low humidity, you can add more supplemental springtails from a backup culture.

• Isolate feedings – Isolate feedings in a separate container without springtails to prevent boluses from boosting springtail population.

Springtails vs Mites

Sometimes small white specks in the enclosure are mistaken for springtails, but they are actually grain mites. Here’s how to tell the difference:

• Appearance – Springtails are about 1-10 mm long and have distinct cylindrical bodies with 6 legs. Mites appear as much smaller white dots, like fine sand grains.

• Movement – Springtails are very active and jump/spring quickly. Mites move slowly in a crawling motion.

• Humidity – Springtails require high humidity. Mites can thrive even in very dry conditions.

• Food – Springtails only eat decaying organic matter like mold. Mites will eat fresh prey items, plants, and even nibble on the tarantula.

If the enclosure contains mites rather than helpful springtails, take steps to eliminate them like thoroughly drying out the substrate and removing any uneaten prey.

Setting Up A Springtail Culture

While you can purchase springtail cultures, you can also easily culture your own to have an ongoing supply. Here’s how to set one up:

• Obtain a plastic container at least 2 inches deep and fill 1-2 inches with a charcoal-based substrate.

• Moisten the substrate until damp but not overly wet. Springtails thrive at around 70-80% relative humidity.

• Add leaf litter, small pieces of vegetable matter, egg crate, and moss to provide food sources and hiding spots.

• Introduce at least 50-100 springtails to start the culture breeding.

• Keep the culture container in an area around 70-75°F. Avoid direct sunlight.

• Mist the culture daily to maintain moisture. Feed occasionally by sprinkling a pinch of yeast.

• Use a bright light to drive springtails upwards, then tap out some into the tarantula enclosure as needed.

Springtails can serve as an extremely beneficial clean up crew in tropical tarantula enclosures. They help reduce mold, fungus, and decaying matter in humid setups. Introducing around 30-50 springtails to an established, mature enclosure is recommended. Monitor the population and adjust humidity to maintain optimal springtail numbers. Avoid using springtails with arid species that require dry substrates. Overall, springtails are an affordable, low maintenance way to help keep tropical tarantula enclosures clean!