Wild Springtails

All About Arthropods

All About Arthropods

Elliptorhina
Hi Everyone! :)

I recently had my final grapevine beetle pupa hatch ,so know I just have a container with dirt rotten wood and dead leaves in it. I noticed a lot of springtails running through the substrate, and wanted to know if these wild ones would be okay to put in a roach colony? I just didn't know if wild ones could harbor any parasites or anything that would harm the roaches.

Thanks!

 
That's how a lot of people end up getting springtails, so I wouldn't worry about them. You should be able to introduce them to your roach enclosure without any problems. :)

 
Hisserdude said:
That's how a lot of people end up getting springtails, so I wouldn't worry about them. You should be able to introduce them to your roach enclosure without any problems. :)
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How do you recommend I would get them in the colony though because wouldn't it be kind of risky to put some of the substrate in the container? Would I have to get them out individually?

I got all of the stuff for the substrate from outside so I think there's a pretty good chance there would be some pests in it.

 
If you're super worried you could let them breed for a while until the next generation has no pesticides, but I got mine the same way with no ill effects.

 
All About Insects said:
How do you recommend I would get them in the colony though because wouldn't it be kind of risky to put some of the substrate in the container? Would I have to get them out individually?

I got all of the stuff for the substrate from outside so I think there's a pretty good chance there would be some pests in it.
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Try putting a piece of bark in with the springtails, they'll cling onto it and you can then sprinkle them into the cage.

 
Getting the springtails into the enclosure is proving to be a lot harder than I originaly though. Do you guys think it would be too risky to get a small bit of dirt with the springtails in it and mix it into the substrate in my roach enclosure? The dirt is from outside by the way.

 
All About Insects said:
Getting the springtails into the enclosure is proving to be a lot harder than I originaly though. Do you guys think it would be too risky to get a small bit of dirt with the springtails in it and mix it into the substrate in my roach enclosure? The dirt is from outside by the way.
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Put some yeast, oatmeal or other food on the piece of bark.

 
My suggestion is a piece of cardboard from a box .... all my springtails cling onto it and you just flick them into your terrarium :D

 
fill the springtail container with water till its just above the dirtline. springtails will float, then you can just scoop them out with a spoon if you like or pour some of the water into you roach enclosure.

 
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