White Springtails Culture (4oz tub) on Calcium-Bearing Clay
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Adding a colony of springtails is the best way to keep your terrarium fresh, healthy, and mold-free - and the process couldn’t be easier. These minuscule, low-maintenance bugs eat all the stuff you don’t want growing in there, making them a perfect terrarium cleanup crew. Our springtail colony starter provides an ample supply to establish a thriving bioactive terrarium ecosystem. Grab yourself a team of tiny mold-munching machines today.
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Benefits
Our springtails spring into action
Folsomia candida (also known as Temperate White Springtails) is the most established species in the hobby. They thrive in moist, humid environments.
Cultured on bentonite clay, your springtails can be easily transferred to your terrarium (existing terrariums and new).
They multiply fast, making them ideal as an extra treat for dart frogs or any suitably small pets craving live snacks.
These cuties are so tiny (like 2-3mm) you’ll never know they’re there. Perfect for the bug-squeamish.
How your culture arrives 📦
FAQ
Have a springtails question? We're here to help.
Check out the most common questions our customers ask. Have questions about something else? See our dedicated FAQ page!
Do I need springtails in my terrarium?
Springtails are always optional, but we’ve personally found them to be the single biggest factor in preventing mold and keeping our terrariums healthy in the long term. That’s why we recommend them for every closed terrarium project.
How do I add springtails to my terrarium?
Simply give your tub of springtails a couple of gentle taps (with the lid on) to get them moving, then put it in your terrarium, take the lid off, and give it a few good taps to send them into their new home.
You can even rinse the tub with a little water and the last stragglers will float right out.
Do I need to feed springtails?
Generally not in terrariums. Springtails eat mold and decomposing matter, which your terrarium should naturally provide (though a fresh terrarium can be a little short, and supplementing can help initially to give them a boost).
However, if you’re raising an external colony of springtails, you will need to regularly feed them. A pinch of our Superfood every 4 days or so will be plenty.
See our guide, What do Springtails Eat? for more help.
How many springtails do I need for a terrarium?
Our springtail culture is suitable as a starter for any terrarium size. As they breed, they’ll naturally find a good population balance.
For larger installations and vivariums with predatory pressures, you may need to start with more springtails.
Can springtails climb glass/escape?
We’ve never noticed any springtails escaping from a terrarium. They can jump a few inches high, so they may spring out of their pot when opened.
So, just open your pot of springtails inside your terrarium/container.
Do springtails need ventilation?
In our experience using springtails in terrariums, they need extremely minimal ventilation.
We left a closed terrarium alone and unopened for well over a year, and the springtails inside were still thriving (it had a loose lid).
The occasional terrarium watering should provide plenty of gas exchange. No ventilation holes necessary (if you do use a lid with holes - add a fine mesh to prevent escapees).
What should I do when my springtails arrive?
We recommend opening your order immediately after it arrives. For best results, put your springtails into their terrarium right away - the sooner, the better.
If that’s not possible, springtails can stay in the tub they’re in for a week, possibly longer, provided you open the tub up a few times for air exchange. They may need additional food supplementation in the meantime.
Do I need isopods if I have springtails in my terrarium?
Springtails and isopods serve different functions in a terrarium, with springtails primarily tackling mold and isopods breaking down larger decomposing organic materials.
While neither are strictly necessary, they individually bring a number of benefits and offer even more as a bioactive combo working synergistically together.
Good options include Dwarf White Isopods and Powder Orange Isopods.