Arid Springtail Care Guide

Culture arid and semi-arid springtails

• Springtails US says arid springtails need care unlike any other springtail commonly kept, though it is still quite simple. (at Introduction)
• Cross ventilation, with vents on the sides, is preferred to a lid vent for holding low humidity on the dry side. The side you ventilate becomes the dry side. (at Setup Instructions)
• Many arid species are pollinators in nature and can benefit from bee pollen in their diet. (at Extra Information)
• For an arid set-up, drill vents along the front third of the bin or lid and glue mesh over them. In the recommended bins that is six 1 inch vents in the sides. (at Setup Instructions)
• Keep 50 to 75 percent of the soil dry and 25 to 50 percent wet on the unventilated side, for egg laying and moisture regulation. You can bake half the soil dry to create the gradient at once. (at Setup Instructions)
• Arid bins dry out fast, and even arid springtails need moisture to survive. At least a quarter of the soil must be moist at all times, and a pile of moist sphagnum moss on the wet end can help. (at Extra Information)
• Leaf litter and other clutter make small humidity gradients. The air is humid below the clutter and dry above, which lets the springtails regulate their own needs. (at Extra Information)
• Apart from ventilation and the dry side, care is like other springtails. Feed every 3 to 7 days, make sure the food is eaten, and keep the wet side wet. (at Care and Harvesting)