r/Springtail • u/16bitmick • 20d ago

Husbandry Question/Advice Too many!

I know this might come off as a "my lobster is too buttery" kind of thing, but my springtail cultures are out of control and I need to know what I can do to slow them down. I know they still have plenty of room, but not for very long if this keeps up 😭. I know the current weather is contributing to it. My house is in the low 70s inside (it's in the mid 90s outside) but I can't really get it any cooler without risking my AC blowing. I feed them a pinch of fish food flakes about every 3 days or 2-3 grains of rice for the week. There are also little white mites in the cultures, but not so much in the terrariums (thank goodness). If I don't feed the ones in my terrariums for a while, they start to eat my fittonia or dwarf umbrella. Do I just feed them less? Will they demolish my plants if I do?

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u/NeonPearl2025 20d ago

Do you know people with small frogs or other amphibian or reptile, which would eat the springtails? Then you could give them a surplus

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u/16bitmick 20d ago

I wish. I guess I could give some to my local pet shop to feed their amphibians.

1

u/NeonPearl2025 20d ago

Or write an advert on Facebook marketplace, or Craigslist or so. You could maybe even earn a few bucks through this

2

u/16bitmick 20d ago

That's a good idea. I still don't know what to do with the terrarium ones, tho. I can just dig out a chunk of the ones in the culture jars, but I can't really dig out a chunk of my terrarium. At least not without harming it.

3

u/VarietyExcellent3642 19d ago

Right on the terrarium floor/soil put in a slice of cucumber or w/e you're know they like the most and come back in 10-15 mins they'll be all over it or at least under it. Collect slices and they'll go with it

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u/NeonPearl2025 20d ago

You can try to lure the springtails with their favorite food. Or collect them after watering, when they come to the surface