Springtail Beginner Guide and Uses – Mini Clean-Up Crew Powerhouses
Introduction
Springtails are tiny, quick-moving invertebrates found naturally in soil, leaf litter, rotting wood and damp environments. They play an essential role in breaking down organic matter, preventing mould from taking over, and keeping ecosystems stable. Because of this, springtails have become incredibly popular in display terrariums, closed-ecosystem terrariums, and bioactive reptile or amphibian enclosures. They’re easy to culture, beginner-friendly, and extremely versatile—whether you want them for cleaning, balancing micro-ecosystems, or even feeding tiny invertebrates.
What You Need to Culture Springtails
Springtails can be cultured in a range of setups, but a few basics are essential:
A small container with airflow (deli cup, takeaway tub, or vented jar)
A substrate (charcoal or soil depending on your collection method)
Moisture (they must stay damp but not waterlogged)
A food source (mould-producing foods)
Stable environment (avoid direct sunlight or overheating)
Springtails thrive best in consistently humid environments, so keeping the culture lightly misted is important.
Substrate Types: Charcoal vs Soil (and What I Personally Use)
Charcoal Method (most popular)
Charcoal cultures are simple, clean, and commonly used for bioactive setups. They work because springtails prefer to live in the textured crevices of the charcoal.
But there’s one major benefit:
You can easily harvest them by filling the container with water—springtails float, and you simply pour them into your enclosure.
However, large charcoal chunks are easy to move around, and sometimes not ideal if you want a constantly replenishing food supply, because charcoal itself doesn't offer much nutrition.
Soil / Terrarium Mix Method (my personal favourite)
I prefer to use my own terrarium mixture, which includes:
Sphagnum moss
Clay
Coco fibre
A bit of bark
Some sand
Other natural textural elements
This mix offers far more food sources, micro-organisms, and hiding spaces. Springtails seem to explode in population faster in soil-based cultures because the substrate itself grows natural micro-fungi and decayed material—basically a steady food supply.
Feeding Springtails (My Method)
Many people use yeast or fish food, but I personally use a couple grains of uncooked rice at a time.
Here’s why this works:
Rice slowly grows mould, which springtails love.
It doesn’t foul the culture when used sparingly.
It’s cheap, clean, and easy to control.
You can visually see when the food is nearly gone.
Simply add more when the mould has almost disappeared.
This method works extremely well with soil-based cultures, but it’s not ideal for charcoal cultures because the grains can fall through gaps.
If you use charcoal, stick to powdered yeast, fish flake, or repashy—just go light so you don’t overfeed.
How to Harvest Springtails
You have two main approaches depending on your substrate:
1. Charcoal Harvesting
Rinse the charcoal well.
Fill the container with water.
Springtails float.
Pour into your terrarium or enclosure.
This is also the best way to harvest for feeding fish, as rinsed springtails can be poured directly in.
2. Soil / Terrarium Mix Harvesting (my preferred method)
This method isn’t as easy to pour, but you get huge population growth.
Ways to collect from soil-based cultures:
Add a piece of bark or moss, wait until springtails gather, then shake it into the enclosure.
Pour a small amount of water into a corner; the springtails surface and can be scraped off gently.
Scoop a tiny amount of substrate into your terrarium—great for establishing bioactive setups.
Uses of Springtails
Springtails aren’t just cleaners—they’re incredibly useful for multiple purposes.
1. Clean-Up Crew
They break down:
Mould
Decaying leaves
Moss die-off
Animal waste (when used with isopods)
Uneaten food
This keeps terrariums and bioactive enclosures balanced and reduces foul smells and pests.
2. Terrarium Stability
Springtails help:
Prevent mould outbreaks
Aerate the soil
Maintain microbe balance
Support long-term enclosure health
They’re essential for closed ecosystems, because mould is normally unavoidable.
3. Food Source for Tiny Predators
Springtails are one of the best feeder options for:
Spiderlings
Small frogs
Tiny geckos
Dart frogs
Newly hatched mantises
I personally raise over 60 spiderlings using springtails alone. They are tiny enough for the smallest babies to hunt without stress or risk. I cannot imagine trying to individually feed dozens of newborn wolf spiders any other way!
4. Occasional Fish Food
When harvested using the charcoal float method, rinsed springtails can be offered to small fish. They wiggle on the surface and trigger a natural feeding response.
Conclusion
Springtails are powerful micro-cleaners that support healthy, balanced terrariums and bioactive systems. Whether you choose a charcoal setup for easy harvesting or a soil-based setup for massive population growth, they are one of the easiest invertebrates to culture at home. They help control mould, break down waste, support micro-ecosystems, and also serve as a safe, nutritious food source for tiny predators like spiderlings and small fish.
Check out our other guides for isopods, phasmids, bioactive care, and more—and follow along on socials and visit the shop to see mixes, supplies, and invertebrates we keep and breed!
