Capturing springtails in your home or yard

[Giggletons]

I'm looking to introduce some springtails to a small box terrarium I have, it's got a bunch of plants and I think they'd really thrive in there.
I've got a large fish tank with a huge springtail colony living among the floaters, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to catch them and transfer them to the terrarium.

[graye]

I'd probably just scoop up some of the floaters with the springtails and add them to the terrarium as compost. As for catching them specifically, I'm not really sure - I'm considering trying to capture some to culture them in the terrarium, but I'm still figuring out the logistics of getting them in there in the first place.

[Emeraldsea]

You can use something soft like a fluffy cloth or a feather to gently sweep over the floaters, and that should help dislodge the springtails, making it easier to transfer them to your terrarium.

[Hermic]

I think you can corral them into the water, where they'll float, and then use a brine shrimp net to scoop them up.

[Giggletons]

I'd probably just scoop up some of the floaters with the springtails and add them to the terrarium as compost. As for catching them specifically, I'm not really sure - I'm considering trying to capture some to culture them in the terrarium, but I'm still figuring out the logistics of getting them in there in the first place.

I like the suggestions. I think using a small measuring cup to transfer them into the terrarium is a good approach. Since I have issues with mold growth whenever I add new leaves, these helpful bugs can assist with that problem by eating the mold.

Emeraldsea said:

Take something fluffy or a feather and go gently over the floaters and you can move those springtails to your terrarium.

That's a gentle method, I appreciate it.

Hermic said:

You should be able to chase them into the water (they will float) and then scoop them up with a brine shrimp net.

I also like this idea, thanks for sharing. I'll give all these methods a try and update you on the outcome.

[Emeraldsea]

I'm looking to introduce some springtails to a small box terrarium I have, it's got a bunch of plants and I think they'd really thrive in there.
I've got a large fish tank with a huge springtail colony living among the floaters, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to catch them and transfer them to the terrarium.

I found a pretty efficient way to transfer them. I take a small measuring cup and use it to "water" them into the terrarium. It's been working great, especially since I've been having some mold issues in the terrarium whenever I add new leaves, and these springtails are perfect for eating the mold.