Live Springtails (Bioactive Clean-Up Crew)

Looking for springtails for sale? Our live springtails (Folsomia candida or Collembola sp.) are small but mighty workers, perfect for bioactive terrariums, vivariums, and reptile enclosures. They act as a clean-up crew, breaking down mold, waste, and decaying organic material to keep your habitat fresh and healthy.

Why Springtails?

• Reduce mold and odors

• Recycle waste and leaf litter into nutrients

• Improve soil aeration and plant health

• Safe for reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and dart frogs

How Many Do You Need?

• Micro setups (up to 5 gallons): 1 culture

• Small tanks (10–20 gallons): 1–2 cultures

• Medium tanks (30–40 gallons): 2–3 cultures

• Large enclosures (55+ gallons): 3–4 cultures
  Tip: Seed your enclosure, wait 2–3 weeks, then add more if needed.

Springtail Care Tips

• Introduce directly into moist leaf litter or substrate.

• Mist lightly 2–4 times per week.

• Feed 1–2 times weekly with Isopod and Springtails Breeding Superfood.
  
• Avoid overfeeding to prevent film buildup.

Recommended Pairings

• Isopod Superfood — Perfect food for springtails and isopods.
• Bioactive Soil Starter Kit — Complete setup with substrate + decor.

• Leaf Litter — Ongoing access to decomposed organic substances and beneficial fungi

  
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section

Q: Are springtails safe for reptiles and amphibians?
Absolutely! Springtails are completely harmless and safe for most reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. In fact, they benefit bioactive setups by helping maintain a clean and balanced environment. They consume mold, decaying plant matter, and waste, making them a natural part of your cleanup crew.

Q: How fast do they reproduce?
Under optimal conditions — consistent moisture, moderate warmth, and a steady food source — springtails reproduce approximately every two weeks, with their full reproductive cycle averaging 1.5 to 2 months. Warmer, humid environments tend to speed up their population growth, while cooler or drier setups may slow them down.

Q: Will they escape?
Not likely! Springtails prefer moist environments and naturally stay within the substrate, leaf litter, and humid areas of your enclosure. As long as your setup stays slightly damp, they’ll remain right where you want them — helping your habitat thrive.

Q: How are they shipped?
All springtail cultures are carefully packaged to protect them during transit. We offer free standard shipping by default, but if your local temperatures are extremely hot or cold, we highly recommend choosing express shipping to ensure our Live Arrival Guarantee applies. If we see potential weather risks, we’ll reach out to discuss alternate shipping options — we want your springtails to arrive healthy and thriving.

Q: Can I keep them as a culture?
Absolutely! Springtails are easy to maintain as a standalone culture:

• Moisture: Keep the substrate lightly damp, not soaking wet.

• Feeding: Feed sparingly with a protein-rich source or springtail-specific diet — overfeeding can cause mold outbreaks.

• Ventilation: Gently ventilate the culture every 3–4 days by opening the lid to refresh the air.

• Pro Tip: Keep them at room temperature or slightly warmer for faster reproduction.