Overrun!

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hey guys! Hope everyone is having a nice day

I have a quick question(I know I’m the rambler but I’ll try keeping this to the point)

I’m here looking after squirt for a few weeks and noticing the bug population is absolutely booming in there! I’ve never seen them like itthere’s just hundreds if not thousands of little whiteish silver guys jumping around in there, crawling all over the hides, food, water dishes etc, I think they’re springtails but I’m not 100% sure, I don’t think they’re anything harmful and don’t appear to be bothering squirt, they only seem to crawl on her shell, not her skin.

Either way just more of an annoyance if anything, they’re getting bloody everywherewe’ve kept doing turnovers to try and bring the population down some, it worked for a bit, then BOOM! The craziest I’ve seen them!

I know people say to bake/boil the substrate to rid of them for a while, but I honestly don’t think I can bake over 140L’s of substrate in a tiny gas oven without it taking a ridiculous amount of timeplus ultimately I know no matter what they’ll probably return, just the nature of keeping them, but how on earth do I calm them down?! Or would you just get a fresh batch altogether? If I ever see someone say their substrate is overrun with them, I tend to recommend a refresh.. but would you guys bother in this situation or should I just wait n see?

I don’t mind ordering a new batch.. just curious if it’s even worth it? I can deep clean the enclosure, hides and everything, but there’s bound to be a few little buggers left behind..which is all it takes to start the process over

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Photo or it didn't happen!
Can you dig a hole in the substrate to the bottom liner to show how damp it is?

And... in favorable conditions they live 3-5 weeks. Their population should decline soon.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Photo or it didn't happen!
Can you dig a hole in the substrate to the bottom liner to show how damp it is?

And... in favorable conditions they live 3-5 weeks. Their population should decline soon.

I can indeed! It’s still pretty damp after multiple turnovers, it’s crazy how well this set up holds humidity! Which they’re clearly loving!We haven’t added water in weeks now! I know that first photo looks particularly wet, but that’s under her water dish where little spills happen, they’re naturally drawn to that area… mmm maybe I need to give them longer.. but also scared they’ll just keep on booming
Hopefully these photos give people a good look at what they are though, I’d be happier if I knew for certain they’re a helpful springtail crew! But still want them to calm the hell down!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

You can remove water and food dishes for the night to let this areas to dry out a bit. The substrate doesn't look too wet, I expect they will die off soon. But a few more "turnovers" will be, probably, needed.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

You can remove water and food dishes for the night to let this areas to dry out a bit. The substrate doesn't look too wet, I expect they will die off soon. But a few more "turnovers" will be, probably, needed.

Good idea actually didn’t think to take them out at night, no I’d say it’s stayed the perfect moisture tbh, really happy with it.. and so are these damn bugs fingers crossed they will die off, I’ll continue with the turnovers

Ultimately would you not bother replacing it if she’s not due a deep clean for some time yet?

 

[Yvonne G]

Springtails. Not harmful.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Springtails. Not harmful.

Yay thanks Yvonne! Useful freebies I guess

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Good idea actually didn’t think to take them out at night, no I’d say it’s stayed the perfect moisture tbh, really happy with it.. and so are these damn bugs fingers crossed they will die off, I’ll continue with the turnovers

Ultimately would you not bother replacing it if she’s not due a deep clean for some time yet?

If they don't bother Squirt - just let them be. I doubt you can get rid of them by just replacing the substrate.

 

[mojo_1]

You can not get rid of them. They will always come back. Just let them do their thing and help keep squirts enclosure clean.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

If they don't bother Squirt - just let them be. I doubt you can get rid of them by just replacing the substrate.

You can not get rid of them. They will always come back. Just let them do their thing and help keep squirts enclosure clean.

Fair enough, you’ve confirmed my suspicions that there’s likely no getting rid altogether, appreciate the input, I’ll leave them to it, thanks guys!

 

[S2G]

Springtails. They boom to their environment. The only way to stop them is get rid of their food source.

I like to add them & isopods to my environments.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Springtails. They boom to their environment. The only way to stop them is get rid of their food source.

I like to add them & isopods to my environments.

I don’t know how to rid their food source altogether when they’re no doubt having a little nom every time her salad is in there

I’m just hoping they’ll calm down a bit because I’d hate to think the sheer amount of them becoming an annoyance for squirt

I actually find isopods so cool! I kind of want to keep a colony of some fancy ones for fun

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I don’t know how to rid their food source altogether when they’re no doubt having a little nom every time her salad is in there

I’m just hoping they’ll calm down a bit because I’d hate to think the sheer amount of them becoming an annoyance for squirt

I actually find isopods so cool! I kind of want to keep a colony of some fancy ones for fun

You have a decent spaced enclosure for isopods!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

You have a decent spaced enclosure for isopods!

Low key considering it can’t lie lol, I think my only worry is with them being slightly bigger, if they’d annoy squirt crawling on her? Also giving how my springtails are booming, I’m a little worried I’d end up a bit overrun with isopods! I’m fine with some, it’s when they decide to plan world domination and take over

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Low key considering it can’t lie lol, I think my only worry is with them being slightly bigger, if they’d annoy squirt crawling on her? Also giving how my springtails are booming, I’m a little worried I’d end up a bit overrun with isopods! I’m fine with some, it’s when they decide to plan world domination and take over

They will keep springtails under control. At the same time, they really prefer to stay out of sight - they are always busy with something. And... you have an omnivorous tortoise - give her some fun.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

They will keep springtails under control. At the same time, they really prefer to stay out of sight - they are always busy with something. And... you have an omnivorous tortoise - give her some fun.

You know what that sounds ideal! I’m going to go and look into getting some! They sound like a positive additionalways wanted to get more into the bio active side of things!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Well, despite removing water and food at night and doing more turn overs, the springtails aren’t relenting
Don’t get me wrong I’m all for them! Just not loving the crazy numbers
At this point idk whether they might be bugging squirt at little at times.. maybe I’m wrong, it’s just I’ve noticed during soaks now they’ve gotten more confident running across her head and legs instead of just her shell like previously, I don’t think it’s that they’re necessarily doing that in the viv(hopefully), but are trying to escape the water during a soak, anyway I’ve seen her kind of flinch her eyes a few times if they get near them, I just don’t want them becoming a bother to her and no sure what else to try to bring down numbersI’ve suggested some isopods but the folks aren’t a fan of bigger bugs going in there.. ima try work on them

 

[TammyJ]

I understand how you feel. I would also worry that they are "bugging" my tortoise, and I would have to do something to reduce the population.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I understand how you feel. I would also worry that they are "bugging" my tortoise, and I would have to do something to reduce the population.

Yeah I definitely want to bring them down, I’m just not sure what’s going to do it at this point I’m fine getting a new batch of substrate(though it’s a pain cause she’s not due yet and it’s not cheap lol, but I don’t mind) thing is though, ultimately the process will inevitably start again

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Yeah I definitely want to bring them down, I’m just not sure what’s going to do it at this point I’m fine getting a new batch of substrate(though it’s a pain cause she’s not due yet and it’s not cheap lol, but I don’t mind) thing is though, ultimately the process will inevitably start again

I think, isopods maybe a way to go. There are really cool ones - orange, fluorescent and such. And they don't really show up in the bright day light and are busy little folks - fun to watch them sometimes.

Substrate change won't help. I've surprisingly got a colony of springtails in a bearded dragon terrarium which is not that humid at all But they are confined to damp areas - under the dishes and such.