Clean Up Crews...Explained
Check out our blog:
Tropical vs. Temperate Springtails: Key Differences and Care Tips
Springtails: The Essential Cleanup Crew for Bioactive Habitats
How to Create a Clay-Based Springtail Master Culture
4 Ways to Turbocharge Your Vivarium’s CUC
A Nutrient-Rich Boost for Thriving Springtail Cultures
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WHAT ARE SPRINGTAILS AND ISOPODS?
Isopods and Springtails are small detritivores in almost every ecosystem in the world. These Arthropods as a collective are very secretive and play a vital role in the system. Isopods help by breaking down the organic matter while Springtails will help control the mold and fungal growths that occur in your enclosures substrate, together they create nutrient-filled castings that invigorate your soil.
WHERE'S THE BUGS? MY CULTURE LOOKS DEAD!
Each culture is seeded with adults, babies, and eggs. These delicate animals have thousands of years of evolutionary niche-hiding adaptations and are masters in the subject. If You do not see anything in your culture, contact our Customer Care team within ONE HOUR upon arrival. (customercare@thebiodude.com)
We will ask you to be patient for a few days as you mist the culture, offer food and observe their recovery. If in a few days, there is no sign of life, The Dude will refund or reship your order- pending your shipping selection containing the live arrival guarantee.
WHAT DO I DO WITH MY CULTURE?
The Dude recommends simply dumping the culture into your vivarium upon arrival. The Isopods will quickly repopulate in the vivarium. If you choose to keep them as a culture, it is recommended take them out of the shipping container. Purchase a plastic locking container and place the contents of the culture inside the container. Feed with the Dude's Bug Grub weekly along with misting.
For the Springtails, simply tap the container over your substrate to release them. We recommend keeping the container and lightly misting the clay to maintain humidity. Feed them with the Dude's Springtail Grub or add a grain or two of rice. You should notice new activity within a few days.
- Josh Halter
