If you suspect springtails in your drain pipes, clean as thoroughly as possible and rinse them with vinegar. (Never pour any type of pesticide down a drain.)
Bleach will definitely kill them, but it's going to wash away with rain and won't last long. Vacuum as much as you can too, and always dump the canister every time into a bag, douse the contents with bleach and throw them away.
For dealing with the springtails not in your home, put diatomaceous earth all over where they live outside. It will slowly kill them and eventually they won't find new ways to get inside your home.
Once they get indoors, springtails move into areas where they find moisture. Kitchens and bathrooms are common springtail habitats. If there has been a leaking pipe, a wall or cabinet can become a springtail habitat. People sometimes find springtails in sinks or tubs.
Lastly, for the sink and drains in the home, bleach won't solve the issue. To make sure its clear of springtails and any other bug, get it treated with LEMON AIR.
The Good News About Springtails
The good news is that infestations are usually short-lived, typically less than a couple of weeks.
It doesn't take much to feed springtails and regular sink cleaners like clorox bleach or Draino won't help. What works is ENZ A BAC NO SURVIVORS down the drain. This material will break down and allow the organic matter to wash away.
Pour Vinegar Directly on Springtails
One way to get rid of springtails is by using vinegar. This is something most people have on hand already and is a quick and effective method of ridding your homes of springtails.
Sprinkle borax in areas where springtails are congregating. Let it sit for a day and then sweep or vacuum the area, collecting any bugs. Repeat the process as needed for a thorough elimination.
One natural remedy that some homeowners use is cider vinegar, due to its high acidity content. Wiping down the infected area with the vinegar will kill the springtails by burning them. Furthermore, cider vinegar is an anti-fungal, which makes it an effective mold treatment, too.
Sevin® Insect Killer Granules work above and below the soil line to kill and control springtails.
Replace the bottom of a coffee can or plastic jar with 1⁄4-inch hardware cloth (screen). Put into your can or jar a small amount of the material you wish to sift for insects. Place a container with a sponge or wetted plaster underneath the screened jar or can to catch springtails and other critters.
Prevention & Control: Spray the surface and/or edges of pool with a mixture of Dawn dish soap and water. The soap changes the surface tension of the water and the bugs drown.
The simple answer is yes but with a caveat. While bleach can kill drain flies and their larvae on contact, it's not the most effective method for long-term control. Bleach's caustic nature allows it to clean the drain pipes and kill some of the larvae.
Some preconceived ideas such as the use of bleach or boiling water and the use of insecticides are completely ineffective on springtails. Indeed, they are very resistant to many insecticides and tend to proliferate rapidly if not treated properly.
Lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil repels springtails but does not kill them. Once the source of the moisture in a building has been discovered and fixed, these scented oils may help drive them away permanently. Mix a combination of all three scented oils and spray them where springtails are most active.
We're happy to say that it is unlikely that you have springtails entering your home through your drains. They rarely enter this way and only under specific conditions. It is likely that they entered through gaps and cracks in the exterior of your home. A common way springtails enter is by way of gaps in bathtub grout.
Locating, drying out and treating places with excessive moisture, especially if the moist condition harbors mold or mildew growth. Such locations may include dampness around tubs and sinks or inside damp wall voids. In addition, using vacuums to remove adult springtails that are either alive or dead is helpful.
You can also wipe down infected areas with store-bought remedies like cider vinegar and baking soda. These will kill off springtail infestations, and fixing moisture issues will keep them from returning.
Yes, you can use the 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to kill the springtails in their larvae stage.
If springtails enter swimming pools, they will drown because they cannot tolerate chlorinated water for long. Since they live in surrounding soil, preventing the soil from becoming overly moist and reducing the acidity by liming can controls the populations.
To control your indoor infestations, remove the dampness and organic matter causing the problem. Since springtails need moisture to thrive try to dehumidify the area. Try to vacuum up springtails. If springtails cannot find moisture,they will die.
When their environment outdoors becomes dry, springtails search for moisture. They may invade homes or move to more favorable outdoor areas such as areas near swimming pools. They enter homes through window screens, open doors, vent pipes, or in potted plants.
Springtails are active year-round, and prefer relatively cool temperatures. During the winter in snowy areas, they are most active on sunny days. During the warmer months, or year-round in non-snowy areas, they are more active on cooler days.