How to Kill Springtails Safely in Your Bathroom
what you'll need
- Gloves
- Mask
- Goggles
- Soap
- Insecticide
- Bleach
- Vinegar
- Fan
Springtails are also known as snow fleas and are extremely annoying. They normally cause major problems by arriving in large swarms. Although these fleas do not cause any harm they can instantly spring up out of nowhere. This makes lots of people panic whenever they find any springtails in their bathroom.
Springtails are often found in dark and damp conditions. They eat fungus and mold and will prosper in these conditions. If they cannot breed in the house, the infestation should eventually die out by itself without needing to do anything.
Step 1 - Getting Rid of Moisture
Springtails like moist damp environments. You can prevent them from ever being a problem if you get rid of damp areas from inside your home. Use a fan to dry out the house. You need to also concentrate on fixing any leaks or faucets which continually drip because they can cause damp environments ideal for springtails. If you have a problem with springtails outdoors then you will need to get rid of any piles of waste which can get moist.
Step 2 - Brighten Up the Area
Now you need to make the area as bright as possible. Springtails do well in dark environments and if you can make all of the areas in your home light then you will be able to minimize the problem with springtails.
Step 3 - Dealing with Infestations
If there are any infestations anywhere in your bathroom then you can wash the effected area with vinegar. This vinegar will damage the pest from the outside without harming you or your family. This might be something that you need to do several times in order to get the best result. Springtail infestations are normally due to a colony of thousands of insects, this is why you might need to repeat the process over and over again.
For a harsher effect you can use chlorine bleach diluted in water and apply it directly to the affected area. Be careful when using chlorine bleach because it can be harmful to humans.
Step 4 - More Severe Options
If you can't control the infestation with vinegar or bleach then you can instead use insecticide. You should choose insecticide which have pyrethrin as the active ingredient as this is very effective in the fight against springtails. Concentrate on applying the insecticide around any cracks or anywhere else the springtails are getting into the house.
Any areas of infestation can also be treated by sprinkling pellets of bifen or diazinon. This will keep the infestation at bay.
Step 5 - Keeping the Infestation at Bay
Once you have managed to get rid of the problem with the springtail infestation you will need to do your best to keep the infestation from returning. If you ever notice the infestation happening again then you can repeat the processes above to get rid of them.