Springtails feed on algae, fungi, and decaying vegetable matter and are abundant only in damp, moist or very humid locations. Indoors, this might include kitchens, bathrooms, moist basements, soil of potted plants, and around window frames. They break down organic matter so the nutrients can be reused by growing plants. They are wingless, and move by crawling or jumping. The jumping motion for which they are known is made possible by a forked tail attached to the underside of the abdomen and bent forward under the body.
Springtails are harmless.
They do not damage anything within houses or buildings, but are annoying because of their presence. Springtail activity in food warehouses or commercial kitchens may be reason for action by a health inspector. Springtails often become abundant in overwatered, potted houseplants, though they do no harm to established plants. Since springtails are generally restricted to moist or humid habitats, eliminating moist places of concealment by lowering the humidity or removing excess moisture will be the best means of control. The actual procedure to accomplish this will depend on the situation, although fans or dehumidifiers are one idea.