Springtails

Springtails, usually less than 6 millimetres long, are one of the dozens of small microscopic creatures in your worm bin. Springtails are small white bugs that help breakdown food for the worms to consume.
There are many different types of Springtails. Most species have an spring-like appendage folded beneath the body called the furcula. This is used for jumping when the animal feels threatened.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Springtails
• worms
• wormcomposting
• vermicomposting
• insects
• vermiculture
• microscopic
• Cathy's Crawly Composters

[Pianoluver901]

This is zoomed in a lot, right?

Because we think that we have springtails, but they are very very tiny.

Not even sure if they have legs or not o.O

[rhgn2112]

@Pianoluver901

Yes this video zooms down to 40 times magnification. If you can make it out the Springtails are kind of rectangular. In your bin there may also be white mites. They look quite similar to the Springtails but are more round white dots. The mites are also more active, you can usually see them moving around more than the Springtails.

[Pianoluver901]

@rhgn2112

Thanks for the quick reply.

Are these mites a problem?

Or do they help the worms decompose the food?

They are quite active.

[rhgn2112]

White mites are rarely a problem, they will not harm the worms and will help break down the food. There are always mites in your bin, but the population can increase dramatically if there is a food source that they like (it's hard to say what the food source might be). To get rid of mites try placing a milk soaked piece of bread in the bin. Leave it overnight then remove it the next day. Repeat as necessary. If you leave it the mite population will decrease naturally over time.

[rhgn2112]

No. Springtails would rarely leave a bin. They need a very moist environment. Usually their presence indicates that your bin is too wet (the bin I took this video from was quite moist). I find that simply adding some new dry bedding (Shredded paper) will take up a lot of moisture then your springtail population will decrease. Springtails are decomposers, so they benefit the system by breaking down food making it easier for the worms to digest.

[knchen]

i have them in my house. how do i get rid of them? they've been here for several weeks now.

[Pianoluver901]

@rhgn2112

But, if they are springtails, would you be able to see their legs?

How do you tell the difference between mites and springtails if you're just looking at it with the naked eye?

Ok. Will definitely try that millk with soaked bread tonight.

Thanks once again :)

[MrDoberman101]

will these bugs crawl out of the worm bin and in to our houses? is there a way to get rid of them?