For most vivariums a single starter culture is plenty — enough to seed roughly a 30–60cm enclosure. Springtails multiply quickly to match the available food and space, so a small culture soon becomes a self-sustaining population.

Simply tip a portion of the culture — substrate and all — onto the surface of your bioactive substrate, ideally near leaf litter or a damp, shaded area. They disperse and establish on their own within a few days.

Springtails graze on mould, fungi, decaying plant matter and leftover food. In a standalone culture you can supplement with a few grains of rice, fish flake or a small piece of mushroom.

Yes. Springtails are completely harmless to your animals and are a natural, beneficial part of a bioactive clean-up crew. Many species also eat them as a tiny supplementary food source.

Under warm, humid conditions you’ll usually see a thriving, visible population within 2–4 weeks. Keep the culture damp but not waterlogged and feed sparingly to speed things along.