Springtails are tiny light to dark, gray-colored insects that are rarely more than 3 millimeters long. The posterior abdomen has an appendage called a furcula, which is retracted and then sprung to propel the insect distances of up to 100 times their body length. This earns them the name "springtails." They generally appear in large numbers and are incredibly numerous in natural habitats.

Springtails are always associated with moisture and organic matter. Leaf litter, mulch, and other moist plant materials are perfect breeding grounds. They sometimes appear indoors in new construction when spackle has not been given enough time to dry or when moisture gets trapped in the structure during construction.

Springtails cause no direct damage. Instead, they indicate where moisture is a problem, especially indoors. Leaks in plumbing and water damage around windows and doors, roofs, and basements can create breeding grounds for springtails. Homeowners also occasionally complain of large numbers in the surface of the water of their swimming pools. This is likely caused by a dramatic change in the weather.