Semi-Arid Springtail Care Guide

Culture arid and semi-arid springtails

• 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)
• For a semi-arid set-up, drill vents on the front quarter of the bin or lid. In the recommended bins that is two or three 1 inch vents in the sides and front. (at Setup Instructions)
• Let about 25 percent of the soil dry out on the ventilated end and keep the other 75 percent wet. (at Setup Instructions)
• Semi-arid bins dry out faster than normal. At least half of the soil must be moist at all times. (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)