Springtails are occasionally misidentified as fleas because they can occur in the home and jump. However, springtails are round and soft bodied instead of dark drown and flattened. Springtails have normal hind legs, whereas fleas have hind legs modified for jumping. There is little difference between immature and adult forms, except size. They feed on algae and decomposing vegetable matter, bacteria and fungi.
Springtails prefer dark, damp areas.
Look for springtails in natural habitats, like leaf mold, damp soil and rotting logs. Occasionally large numbers of springtails occur in greenhouse crops where they can injure young plants. Some species injure sprouting seeds, roots and tender shoots, occasionally causing concern in greenhouses, seedbeds and mushroom beds. They are harmless to man and animals. For integrated pest management information, click here .