What Are Springtails And How To Get Rid Of Them

Springtails are like that one guest who wasn’t invited to a party but still somehow makes themselves at home. They won’t bite, sting, or destroy your plants outright, but they will crash your grow space, compete with your roots, and potentially leave their tiny corpses in your buds (gross, right?).

If that sounds like a hard pass, don’t worry — we’ve got a few ways to deal with them. In this article, learn what they are, how to spot them, and how to eliminate them. 

What are Springtails?

Springtails — these little insects belong to the Collembola order, and while they don’t have wings, they know how to get around thanks to their spring-loaded jumping skills.

Measuring just 5-6 mm in length, springtails typically appear in shades of black, gray, or white. They use their three pairs of legs to scurry through soil, hydroponic setups, and anywhere else that provides warmth and moisture. 

Now, here’s the thing — springtails won’t bite you, sting you, or spread any nasty diseases. In fact, they’re more of an inconvenience than a direct threat to your plants. But while they might not be outright bad, they can still cause enough trouble to make you want them gone.

Why are Springtails Bad for Your Plant?

Springtails aren’t here to destroy your cannabis plants. They’re actually more like tiny janitors, feeding on decaying organic matter, algae, and fungi. That might sound harmless, even beneficial, but there’s a catch.

First off, they can start competing with your plant’s roots for space and nutrients. Less room for root expansion means weaker growth, which isn’t exactly ideal for a healthy cannabis yield. Also, springtails predominantly feed on decaying organic matter. However, if the infestation is large, the tiny insects can disturb delicate root structures and stress young seedlings.

As springtails chow down on decomposing material, they unintentionally compact the soil. This can mess with aeration, making it harder for roots to breathe and absorb nutrients properly. Most importantly, springtails might munch on algae and organic films on the roots of the plants. Even if they don’t cause damage to the roots, they can affect oxygenation indirectly.

On top of that, springtails can attract other unwanted pests like mites and thrips, turning a minor nuisance into a bigger headache. Lastly, dead springtail bodies can sometimes end up in your flower buds. Yeah, not exactly the kind of organic addition you want in your final product. 

They also indicate high humidity that may cause mold, mildew, and fungal infections such as root rot and powdery mildew that may overtake your plants.

Lastly, they can spread to your harvested cannabis if they are stored in humid areas. This can contaminate your buds during rolling or curing.

So, as you can surmise, springtails are usually harmless and can even be beneficial. However, they can show up when things are overly wet. The presence of springtails indicates moisture problems, which can result in bigger problems like mold or fungus. Thus, you can control the population of springtails by managing the humidity and moisture levels in your grow room.

Are Springtails Harmful to Cannabis Plants?

Springtails are often misidentified as pests when growing cannabis. Although seeing them can be alarming, it does not always mean harm. It depends on the size of the population, environment, and health of the plant.

Here are a few ways springtails can help:

Decomposers in the Soil Ecosystem

Springtails facilitate the decomposition of organic materials like rotting roots, dead leaves, and fungi. These processes recycle nutrients that feed the soil and the plants can absorb nutrients. 

Enhancing Microbial Activity

Springtails consume decaying organic material, which helps stimulate microbial activity in the soil, improving soil fertility and aeration. This can help cannabis plants to develop better roots. 

Indicators of Soil Moisture Levels

Since springtails thrive in wet environments, seeing them can be indicative of excess humidity or overwatering, which means that you're either overwatering or the humidity is high. 

How to Check for Springtails in Your Garden?

If you want to get rid of springtails, you first need to know what you’re dealing with. While these tiny insects won’t harm you, they multiply fast and can become a nuisance if left unchecked. Here’s how to recognize them before they cause trouble in your grow.

Springtails are tiny — really tiny. Fully grown, they measure anywhere from 0.25 to 6 millimeters (about 1/16 of an inch), but when they’re still nymphs, they’re practically invisible to the naked eye. That said, if they’re in a group, you can usually spot them without needing a magnifying glass.

If you see these clusters of tiny insects on the soil’s surface, especially in overly damp spots, there’s a good chance you’ve found springtails. They tend to form swarms that almost look like tiny patches of fabric moving around.

When disturbed, they don’t just crawl away — they launch themselves into the air using a little appendage under their abdomen called a furcula. This built-in escape mechanism helps them dodge threats, and it’s a dead giveaway that you’re dealing with springtails.

They thrive in humid conditions and often gather near water sources, reservoirs, or anywhere the soil stays damp. If you start seeing them in large numbers, it’s a clear sign your grow medium is holding too much moisture.

To confirm their presence, check the topsoil where moisture collects and look for fast-moving or jumping bugs. If you want a closer look, grab a magnifying glass or a microscope — but chances are, once you see them hopping around, you won’t need one to know they’re there.

How Do Springtails Get Into Cannabis Grow Rooms?

Moist, tiny springtails can easily creep into your cannabis grow room and often do so without any detection or notice. Thus, knowing how springtails get into a grow room can help prevent infestations.

Sources of Infestation

1. Contaminated Soil or Growing Medium.

Springtails naturally thrive in rich, organic soil. If you add a bag of unsterilized soil, compost, or coco coir to your grow room, you may be introducing springtails.

2. Plants from Other Locations

If you bring outside cannabis plants or other plants to your grow room, this might introduce springtails as they cling to roots and soil.

3. Water Sources

Using untreated or stagnant water can contribute to springtails moving in, especially if they were already established nearby in damp areas.

4. Ventilation and Air Circulation Systems

High humidity in or around the system can be conducive to springtails getting into grow rooms through fan intake, cracks, or even holes. In addition, still air holds moisture, enabling springtails to multiply rapidly. Proper ventilation is crucial in preventing infestations. 

5. Organic Mulches or Compost

While organic matter is beneficial for plants, unsterilized mulch and compost may contain springtails and other microorganisms that thrive in decaying material.

6. Tools and Equipment

When you take tools, pots, or trays from an infested environment, you can bring springtails into your grow area.

7. Environmental Factors That Attract Them.

Springtails require damp conditions to survive. When there is watering, poorly drained, or damp conditions, it makes the perfect terrain for them.

8. Organic Matter Build-up

Springtails feed on decomposing plant material, dead roots, and other organic debris, which encourages the growth of their populations.

9. Cool, Dark Spaces

Springtails prefer cool and shaded environments. They love to hide under pots, in thick plant foliage, or around the water tray.

10. Standing Water

Stagnant water is a bit of a problem even if it's a spill, water trays, or constantly damp areas in your grow room as they will attract springtails.

How to Get Rid of Springtails from Cannabis?

So, you've spotted springtails crawling around your cannabis plants — now what? Luckily, there are a few solid ways to kick them out of your grow. Let’s go over some of the most effective methods to send these little jumpers packing.

1. Neem Oil

Neem oil has been a go-to remedy for plant pests for ages, and it’s especially popular among cannabis growers. Extracted from the seeds and fruits of the Azadirachta tree, this natural oil is a chemical-free way to keep unwanted insects in check. 

While some manufacturers use solvents in the extraction process, cold-pressed neem oil is the purest and most effective option — just like how you’d prefer unprocessed oils in your diet.

What makes neem oil so powerful is its active ingredient, Azadirachtin, which messes with insects’ feeding, mating, and reproductive cycles. While it won’t kill springtails on contact, it will stop them from multiplying and make your plants far less inviting. 

Plus, it’s a broad-spectrum pest repellent, targeting over 200 species, including aphids, spider mites, and fungus gnats — other common nuisances in cannabis gardens.

Neem oil works both as a foliar spray and a soil treatment. If you're making your own solution, mix cold-pressed neem oil with water and an emulsifier like organic soap or silica. Shake it up thoroughly, then store it in a dark, airtight container to maintain potency.

Before going all-in, do a patch test on a few leaves. If the oil concentration is too high, your plant might struggle to breathe. Use a dedicated spray bottle for even application, focusing under the leaves but avoiding oversaturation.

For best results, you should spray neem oil once a week during the vegetative stage, but steer clear of the buds — it can alter their flavor. Also, avoid applying it in extreme heat, during times of plant stress, or when it is too close to harvest. 

2. Diatomaceous Earth

If you prefer an insecticide-free approach, diatomaceous earth (DE) is an excellent alternative. 

This powdery substance is made from the fossilized remains of microscopic marine organisms called diatoms, which settled on the ocean floor millions of years ago. Over time, their silica-rich skeletons formed massive deposits, which we now use as an all-natural pest killer.

What makes DE so effective? It doesn’t rely on chemicals, so pests can’t develop resistance to it. Instead, it works by physically damaging insects’ exoskeletons. When a springtail crawls over DE, the powder absorbs the protective fats in its waxy outer layer, causing dehydration and eventual death.

However, DE isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s most effective against pests with soft exoskeletons, and some insects may be completely unfazed by it. If you want extra power, look for DE blends with sharper diatoms that can cut into pests’ bodies for better control.

One thing to keep in mind is that DE only works when dry. If your soil is damp, it won’t do much, so make sure to apply it when the grow medium is completely dry.

3. Beneficial Pests

If you’re looking for a natural way to handle springtails, predatory mites might be your best bet. These tiny soil-dwelling friends — like hypoaspis miles and hypoaspis aculeifer — are commonly used to control fungus gnats, but they also have a taste for springtails. 

The best part? They’re relentless hunters, working non-stop throughout their lifespan to keep pest populations in check.

Using them is simple — just sprinkle the mites onto the soil, and they’ll get straight to work tracking down springtails. It’s like having a dedicated pest control squad in your grow space, except you don’t have to lift a finger after introducing them.

4. Controlling Humidity and Moisture

Springtails require a damp environment to survive. If you dampen the environment and remove moisture, the springtails cannot grow in your grow room.

Tips to Reduce Moisture:

• Don’t water your plants until the upper layer of the soil dries out. Springtails die off when moisture levels drop.
• Make sure there is no standing water in pots and grow trays to improve drainage.
• Using a dehumidifier to control the humidity at 50-60% makes for unfavorable conditions for springtails.
• Check for leaking irrigation systems, water trays, or wet surfaces where springtails can thrive. Fix leaks and eliminate these water sources. 

5. Proper Ventilation

A good flow of air helps to control humidity and prevent excessive moisture; this inhibits springtail infestations.

Here are a few tips to improve ventilation:

• Constant air circulation will keep the humidity levels low and prevent springtails from infesting. 
• Mount exhaust fans to get rid of the humid air and help maintain good conditions in the grow room.
• Prevent plants from being extremely close to one another to avoid clusters.
• Always check relative humidity and take proper corrective action if needed for your plants.

6. Use High-Quality Soil

Springtails often come into grow rooms through infected soil, compost, or organic amendments.  Using clean, top-quality soil can help avoid infestations. 

Here are a few tips: 

• Get quality-treated soil from a trusted source.
• Don't Use Overly Moist or Organic-Rich Soil; it provides a breeding ground for springtails.
• Before using soil in your pots, make sure to bake or freeze them. This will kill many pests. The soil must reach at least 180°F (82°C). It can be placed in the oven for 30 minutes or freezer for a few days.
• Add helpful organisms like certain microbes and fungi to the soil as they keep springtails at bay.

By following these guidelines, you greatly reduce the risk of getting your garden infested with springtails and achieve optimum cannabis growth. 

Tips on Preventing Springtails

If you would like to take an organic approach to springtails then natural remedies will help in controlling them while not harming the cannabis plant. The two most effective methods include drying the soil out and adding beneficial predators. 

Drying Out the Soil

Since they need moisture to survive, one of the easiest and best ways to get rid of them is to dry out the soil. Here’s how you do it: 

• Let the top of the soil to dry properly. Springtails cannot survive in dry conditions.
• Use a fan to speed up the drying to create air movement to the soil so excess moisture can evaporate.
• Make sure your pots have enough drainage holes and add perlite or sand to the mix so the soil doesn’t retain too much water.
• Change when you water the plant. Water deeply but do it less often; do not keep the top wet. 
• Don't water from the bottom, as this keeps the soil too moist and causes springtails to emerge.
• Be careful not to dry out the soil too much as it can stress young cannabis plants. The moisture level must be just right so the plant can be healthy and make the springtails uncomfortable. 

Introducing Beneficial Predators

One method of controlling springtails without using chemicals is to introduce a natural predator as a biological control. Here are a few suggestions:

• Hypoaspis Miles is a type of beneficial insect that eats springtails as well as fungus gnats and other bugs.
• Rove Beetles (Dalotia coriaria) do a great job against springtails and other soil-dwelling pests.
• Beneficial nematodes mainly munch on springtail larvae which aids in naturally lowering their population.

How to Introduce Predators Effectively

• Introducing beneficial insects and nematodes to dry soil will prevent them from settling in the soil. Therefore, ensure that the soil is damp before introduction. 
• Using predators in combination with better ventilation and controlled watering works much better. 
• Reapplication may be necessary because some predators quickly lose control of springtail populations. 

How to Prevent Future Springtail Infestations

Once you’ve eradicated springtails from your cannabis grow room, the next step is making sure they can’t return. To prevent future infestation a pest-free environment must be maintained.

1. Maintain Proper Humidity and Moisture Levels

• Since springtails thrive in moist environments, keeping humidity under control is essential.
• Keep Humidity Between 50-60% – Use a dehumidifier if necessary.
• Avoid Overwatering – Let the topsoil dry between watering cycles.
• Improve Drainage – Ensure pots have drainage holes and use well-aerated soil.
• Eliminate Standing Water – Remove excess water from trays, pipes, or leaks.

2. Optimize Air Circulation

• Good airflow discourages springtails from damp conditions.
• Install an Exhaust System – Removes humid air and keeps conditions stable.
• Space Out Plants – Allow for better air movement between plants.

3. Use High-Quality, Sterile Growing Medium

• Contaminated soil often brings springtails into grow rooms.
• Get sterilized soil from trusted sources.
• You can kill hidden pests in your soil by heating or baking it at a temperature of 180°F(82°C). 
• Don’t use compost or organic mulch that hasn’t been processed.

4. Inspect and Quarantine New Plants

• Always inspect new plants before you bring them into your grow room. Examine the soil for any signs of movement to check for pests.
• Make sure to keep the new plants away for a couple of days before introducing them into your grow room. 

5. Keep the Grow Room Clean and Well-Maintained

• Having a clean environment can stop an infestation of pests.
• Get rid of dead leaves and organic debris since they attract springtails.
• Always clean pots, trays, and tools before using.
• Create warm sunlight for seedlings and tropical plants by filling a tray or shallow pan with hot water. 

If you follow these best practices, the risk of springtail infestation will lessen substantially in no time and your cannabis will thrive.

Summary: What are Springtails and How to Get Rid of Them

Springtails might be persistent, but with the right game plan, they won’t be squatting in your soil for long. Whether you go the neem oil route, use a sprinkle of diatomaceous earth, or recruit an army of predatory mites, your grow space will be springtail-free in no time. 

That’s it. Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to getting rid of springtails from your cannabis garden!