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culturing springtails

Started by Guest_mander_* , Aug 20 2008 10:43 PM

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11 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_mander_*

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Posted 20 August 2008 - 10:43 PM

I was reading about culturing springtails and something didn't make sense to me.

It said to microwave the soil to sterilize it, then later it said not to worry if it started to grow fungus because springtails eat fungus and bacteria. So... why sterilize it?

These bugs are everywhere in the soil, right? One doesn't really need to buy a culture of them, does one?

Thanks,

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#2 Guest_airbrn1187_*

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Posted 21 August 2008 - 01:45 AM

I have read that as well. I am definately not up on springtails but a better place to look is The dendro board. It deals with them much better because I guess it is a treat for Poison Dart Frogs.

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#3 Guest_scottefontay_*

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Posted 21 August 2008 - 06:38 AM

Its probably just to ensure that you don't bring in undesirable critters and the like (fungus gnats to name one, they don't bite but they fly everywhere and will infest your houseplants...they suck!)

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#4 Guest_Newt_*

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Posted 21 August 2008 - 09:57 AM

Soil fungi will actually grow better if you kill off the soil bacteria first; maybe that's the reasoning. Just a thought.

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#5 Guest_dafrimpster_*

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Posted 21 August 2008 - 09:57 AM

I culture them in my grindal worm/ earthworm culture. It is a mixture of potting soil and coir. I can send you some if you like. My het formosa's love to hunt them down and snatch them off the water surface.

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#6 Guest_mander_*

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Posted 21 August 2008 - 03:26 PM

I can send you some if you like.

Well, aren't you sweet! It's not every girl lucky enough to have a fellow give her bugs! :biggrin:

We may, or not, have a big move coming up this winter. I'm just doing research at this time because what I don't have now, I don't have to move in December! But come spring, I just might take you up on that!

Thanks!

And thanks, Newt, Scott and Air, that makes sense now.

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#7 Guest_mander_*

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Posted 22 August 2008 - 01:06 PM

Soil fungi will actually grow better if you kill off the soil bacteria first; maybe that's the reasoning. Just a thought.

You know, you really know your stuff. I was burning a healthy looking log about two weeks ago. It was half burned and charred when I put it out. It has been raining to beat the Dickens this past week, I walk past it this morning, and it's pied black and white. I'd say it's 50% covered with fungus just in this short little time. I wouldn't have thought fungus could live through a fire like that.

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#8 Guest_Newt_*

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Posted 22 August 2008 - 02:23 PM

Very likely the fungi already on the log were killed, but there are plenty of fungi spores dropping out of the air all the time. The ones that landed on your nice charred log got lucky; a rich bacteria-free environment! Of course the bacteria are recolonizing too, but fungi seem to have an initial advantage before being overwhelmed by the little guys.

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#9 Guest_Onagro_*

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Posted 22 August 2008 - 07:38 PM

I currently culture springtails for my dart frogs and it is pretty easy. Like they said earlier, the soil does not need to be sterilized before setting up the culture. Springtails eat decomposing matter in the wild, but you can buy "springtail diet" from some online shops. Mine eat tropical fish granules, orange and bannana peels, and occassional chunks of washed apple cores. The key to getting the tiny insects out to feed to other animals is keeping charcoal in the culture (which can be an old sweaterbox or small tupperware container). For some reason, springtails gather on the charcoal by the dozens, perhaps hundreds. Just hold the charcoal over the aquarium and tap the charcoal until there are no more insects on it.
Remember, just keep the culture moist and well-fed and you will have a viable culture for a few years.

If you have any more questions, don't be afraid to ask.

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#10 Guest_dafrimpster_*

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Posted 22 August 2008 - 07:49 PM

I use a small piece of plate glass to collect my grindal worms. The springtails congregate on the glass as due to the fact that I place the feed there. Feed is mixed grain Gerber's baby food, fish food. Like Onagro I hold the glass over the tank and give it a couple taps to knock the springtails off into the water