• A Jumping Nuisance: Why Springtails Show Up in Charlotte


    Springtime is coming to an end, but springtails are still hopping around all over the place. These tiny hexapods are often mistaken for fleas due to their ability to jump high and far for their size. Though they don't cause harm to people or plants, they can become quite the nuisance in Charlotte, NC, as the heavy summer rainfall and high temperatures attract them. Learn more about this pest from Innovative Pest Management, Inc.

    Reasons Why Springtails Come Indoors

    It's too dry outside.

    Like any hexapod, the springtail prefers moist environments and will seek them out during the hot and dry season in Charlotte. It invades interior spaces such as the bathroom and the basement, where it enjoys the dampness and the humidity. These hexapods move indoors not only when it's dry outside but also after heavy downpours. If they find a nice, damp place indoors, they will stay there until they're forced back outdoors or eliminated altogether.

    They detect mold indoors.

    Most springtail species are herbivorous, preferring to feed on fungi and plant matter; they'll also consume algae and feces. Other species are carnivorous and will feed on their own kind, including arthropods such as nematodes. Mold and fungi grow in damp, moist areas of your home. If these pests locate a continual food source, they won't have a reason to leave the comfort of their newfound space.

    You leave the lights on.

    Some pests are attracted to lights whereas others stay hidden in the darkness. If a wandering springtail sees the lights on inside or outside your home, it won't stay out in the dark for long. These little creatures are attracted to the light and have no problem being seen in the open. Their small size usually makes them easy to miss until they gather together in one area.

    Springtail Pest Control in Charlotte, NC

    Whether you're dealing with or wanting to prevent an infestation, it's important to take action before springtails claim a space in your home. Contact Innovative Pest Management, Inc. in Charlotte NC to learn more about these pests and schedule an immediate inspection. Our pest control professionals will put an end to a springtail infestation and help prevent a reinfestation throughout the summer.

  • Springtails

    Every year in the summer we get calls from people that see little gray specks in their bathroom sink or bathtub. Some people even think they are fleas because they jump as well.

    Springtails have become a very common structural pest. They get their name from a tail that is tucked under their body that enables themselves to launch into the air allowing them to jump 3 to 4 inches. They have to have moisture to survive that is why a lot of time you find them in the moist areas of your home such as kitchens, bathrooms, crawlspace, and basements.

    Often what allows them to enter our homes are things we do ourselves. Outdoors they are found around foundations were leaf litter, thick mulch, and pine needles provide moist environments. Sometimes you can find them on the moist side of your home where sunlight is limited. Covered porches or shady areas that stay damp are also common places to see them.

    Keeping a buffer zone between your foundation and mulch areas helps prevent activity. Make sure gutters are clean and free of debris. They feed on any decaying organic material which allows for easy survival. Drying out any moist area identified is key in treatment.

    Fixing all conducive conditions and our quarterly pest perimeter treatment will keep these pest out of your home.

    Klint Dibble - Technician, Innovative Pest Management

Innovative Pest Contro angieslist rating

Innovative Pest Control ncpca association

Innovative Pest Control npma association

Innovative Pest Control lincoln county chamber of commerce

Innovative Pest Control lake norman chamber commerce

Innovative Pest Control Denver Area Business association

Cabarass regional Innovative Pest Control

termidor certified Innovative Pest Control

Innovative Pest Control pest management association