A Detailed Guide to the Occurrence and Control of Springtails in Mushroom Houses

Springtails are a common pest of mushrooms. Among the edible fungi in which springtail damage has been found in production are oyster mushroom, straw mushroom, shaggy ink cap, shiitake, king oyster mushroom, wine-cap stropharia, wood ear, lion's mane, and almond mushroom.An introduction to the occurrence and control measures of springtails in mushroom houses.

I. Species of springtails in mushroom houses

The springtails commonly found in mushroom houses include the black-horned springtail, the yellow-warted springtail, the mushroom purple springtail, and the purple springtail. The color and body size of springtails vary with species, but all have a flexible tail and can jump freely. The body surface of springtails is oily, so they are not afraid of water. Springtails mostly occur in damp, old mushroom houses, often densely gathered on the bed surface or in dark places. They mainly bite and feed on the fruiting bodies of edible fungi, and mostly invade through wounds or gills. A whole mushroom body, after being damaged for 3 days, is no longer fit to eat, let alone to be sold as a commodity. When conditions are suitable, springtails can produce 6-7 generations per year in a mushroom house, reproducing extremely quickly. When the infestation is severe, the mushroom bed looks as if it is covered with a layer of soot-like powder. Therefore, springtails are commonly known as soot insects.

II. Growth habits of springtails

1. Growth and reproduction. The cycle is short and growth and reproduction are fast. Springtails are quite active under warm (20°C-28°C) and humid (relative air humidity 85%) conditions, and their reproduction speed is the fastest, with 6-7 generations possible each year.

2. Wide living range and strong omnivorous nature. Springtails mostly occur in mushroom houses with poor ventilation, an overly humid environment, and extremely poor sanitary conditions. They not only cause damage to various edible fungi inside the mushroom house, but can also be seen year-round on soil, weeds, fallen leaves and dead branches, and livestock manure. They can float on the water surface and jump freely, and are especially numerous after continuous rain turns to clear weather.

3. Carrying and spreading diseases and pests, causing cross and repeated infection. The adults and larvae of springtails carry large numbers of pathogenic bacteria and mites on their body surfaces. With activities such as egg laying and feeding by springtails, the diseases and pests of springtails also spread rapidly wherever they go. If conditions are suitable, cross and repeated infection occurs, causing major losses to edible fungus production.

III. Control measures for springtails in mushroom houses

1. Clean sanitation, eliminate sources of the pest

Thoroughly remove garbage inside and outside the spawn production site and the cultivation site, and especially avoid standing water, to prevent the breeding of springtails.

Springtails like warmth and humidity but cannot tolerate high temperatures. It is best to use fermented material for the substrate, bringing the material temperature to 65°C-70°C, which can kill adults and eggs. The mushroom house and casing soil must be fumigated and disinfected with chemicals before use.

Install gauze netting on the doors and windows of the mushroom house.

2. Trapping and killing methods

Springtails have a habit of liking water. Where springtails occur, they can be trapped with water and then killed. The specific method is: fill a small basin with clean water, and many springtails will jump into the water; the next day change the water and continue trapping and killing with water. After several times in succession, the pest population density will be greatly reduced.

Prepare a bait by diluting 90% trichlorfon 1000 times and adding a small amount of honey, then put it in separate basins or dishes and place them scattered on the mushroom bed. Springtails will jump into the basins when they smell the sweetness. This method is safe and non-toxic, and can also kill other pests.

3. Chemical control

For edible fungus diseases and pests, the use of pesticides for control is not advocated. Other methods should be adopted as much as possible, and pesticides should be used sparingly or not at all. Only when the pest infestation is severe should they be used as a last resort.

When there are no mushrooms on the bed, 0.2% dimethoate can be sprayed to kill them.

During the fruiting period, pyrethrin can be sprayed at 150 times dilution to 200 times dilution.

Spraying neem preparation: prepare it in the ratio of neem bark : water = 1:3-1:5, mix well and decoct for 1.5 hours to make the stock solution; dilute 1 time when using, and use it immediately after preparation.

Use 9.9 grams of aluminum phosphide per cubic meter for fumigation.