Spring tails are tiny pinhead sized arthropods that spring or jump. The majority of spring tails develop in soil feeding on fungi, algae, decaying plant matter, and bacteria. Spring tails do not bite and are harmless to humans. When temperatures and other conditions allow spring tail populations explode. In moist solid with high amounts of organic matter there can be thousands per square foot.
During hot, dry periods in summer these populations are known to move indoors seeking sources of moisture. House hold infestations occur in Minnesota most commonly when we have a mild moist weather pattern in spring early summer followed by a hot dry period of weather.
A thorough inspection of the home should be made checking for moisture problems such as leaking pipes, mold, and water damaged wood, humid damp crawl spaces, basements and attics. Outside remove piles of leaves, wet moist landscaping or firewood piles.
Outside a barrier treatment is made treating three to four feet out from the foundation to prevent spring tails from breeding near the home and prevent new spring tails from entering the home. To control spring tails inside crack and crevice treatments are made to problem areas including bathrooms, kitchens, basements, laundry areas and utility rooms. Spring tails tent to be fairly insecticide resistant making control difficult and on occasion require multiple treatments