Springtail Wiki

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Troubleshooting

Mites in a culture

Most advice from sellers is about keeping mites out. Check the barriers first, then the medium.

Start from what you see

There are mites in my springtail culture

Questions

  1. Question 1

    Are the vents covered with 35 micron mesh or finer?

  2. Question 1

    Do you sterilize food and substrate before use?

  3. Question 1

    What is the culture medium?

Endings

Likely cause

Mites are getting in through the vents

Act this week How sure: Moderate

Several causes fit. This is the most common one.

What to do

Springtails US adds a small vent covered with 35 micron ultrafine mesh. That gives enough air to prevent a dangerous build up of gas without drying the culture. Anecdotal 1, 2
Springtails US recommends plenty of ventilation on one side and none on the other, with the whole front quarter of a bin ventilated, to create a moisture and humidity gradient. Mesh of 35 microns or finer over the holes keeps springtails in and pests out. Anecdotal 3

Guides that help

Likely cause

Mites arrived on the food or substrate

Act this week How sure: Moderate

Several causes fit. This is the most common one.

What to do

Sterilize springtail food to keep grain mites out, by baking it at or above boiling point until all of it has reached the desired temperature. Anecdotal 3
MI Beneficials recommends storing springtail food in an airtight bag in the freezer, and says its own mix cuts the risk of bringing harmful pathogens into delicate cultures. Anecdotal 4
Sterilize soil to remove animals that compete with springtails. Springtails US names deep freezing for 1 to 2 weeks, baking at or above 100 °C212 °F (boiling point) until all of the soil reaches the desired temperature, or baking for 2 to 3 hours at 74–79 °C165–175 °F, similar to pasteurization. Freezing or low temperature baking can preserve helpful microbes and fungi. Anecdotal 3

Guides that help

Likely cause

A mixed medium that favours mites

Keep watching How sure: Low

A best guess. Check the look-alike before you act.

What to do

Sellers disagree about mites. NEHERP says mixed media cultures are much more likely to get mites than charcoal cultures. Frog and Frond says clay cultures are less likely to get mites than charcoal cultures. Anecdotal 5, 6
No source read for this site gives a tested way to remove mites from an established culture. The sellers focus on keeping them out with mesh, sterile food and substrate, and the choice of medium. Unknown Open question How do you clear mites from an established springtail culture?

Guides that help

Likely cause

Mites in a charcoal culture

Keep watching How sure: Low

A best guess. Check the look-alike before you act.

What to do

Sellers disagree about mites. NEHERP says mixed media cultures are much more likely to get mites than charcoal cultures. Frog and Frond says clay cultures are less likely to get mites than charcoal cultures. Anecdotal 5, 6
No source read for this site gives a tested way to remove mites from an established culture. The sellers focus on keeping them out with mesh, sterile food and substrate, and the choice of medium. Unknown Open question How do you clear mites from an established springtail culture?

Guides that help

Also described as

  • mites in springtail culture
  • grain mites springtails
  • how to get rid of mites in springtail culture
  • tiny white dots in springtail culture

Other problems

Sources for this guide

  1. 1

    Springtail Soil Care Guide

    Springtails US

    Link works · Retailer

    Cited at Setup Instructions.

  2. 2

    Springtail Care Sheet

    Springtails US

    Link works · Retailer

    Cited at Folsomia candida entry, ventilation.

  3. 3

    How to find, collect, and culture wild springtails

    Pavy R. 2023. Springtails US

    Link works · Retailer

    Cited at Ventilation; Food; Substrate.

  4. 4

    How To: Starting a White Springtail Feeder Culture on Clay

    MI Beneficials

    Link works · Retailer

    Cited at Food.

  5. 5

    Springtail Care & Breeding Information

    New England Herpetoculture

    Link works · Retailer

    Cited at Setting Up A Breeding Culture.

  6. 6

    Calcium Clay Springtail Cultures FAQ and Care

    Frog and Frond

    Link works · Retailer

    Cited at What is the advantage of clay springtail cultures.

Reviewed Oct 22, 2026