Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

• Identify common beneficial microfauna and unwanted pests.
• Understand the relationship between microfauna, detritus, and decomposition.
• Restore balance when pests appear.
• Manage outbreaks without chemicals or harmful treatments.
• Maintain long-term vivarium stability through feeding and substrate management.

Lesson Content

A healthy bioactive vivarium relies on a balanced ecosystem of microfauna.
Springtails and isopods are critical decomposers — they eat mould, waste, and detritus.

However, an imbalance in nutrients, humidity, or feeding routines can result in unwanted guests such as fungus gnats, mites, or nuisance springtail explosions.

This lesson covers how to identify each issue and resolve it safely.

1. Beneficial Microfauna (What You WANT)

A) Springtails (Collembola)

• tiny white dots that hop
• eat mould, biofilm, and waste
• essential for preventing rot and fungus

B) Isopods (woodlice)

• detritivores
• aerate substrate
• break down leaves and wood
• provide occasional frog snacks

C) Soil bacteria & beneficial fungi

These create a healthy soil biome and support plant growth.

A strong microfauna population is your best defence against pests.

2. Unwanted Pests (What You DON’T Want)

A) Fungus Gnats

Small black flies attracted to:

• overwatered soil
• rotting leaves
• wet moss

Not harmful to frogs but annoying.

B) Grain Mites / Dust Mites

Appear as tiny white specks clustering on:

• glass
• leaves
• feeding stations
• fruit fly cultures

Usually introduced via feeder insects.

C) Soil Mites (harmless unless explosive)

In small numbers: totally fine.
In large numbers: sign of excess moisture or waste.

D) Phorid Flies (rare)

Walk more than they fly.
Indicate rotting organic matter.

E) Aphids / Plant Pests

Sometimes arrive with plants.
Can spread to new growth.

3. Causes of Pest Outbreaks

Pests thrive when environmental balance is off.

Common causes:

• over-misting
• stagnant airflow
• decaying plant matter
• overfeeding fruit flies
• poor substrate ventilation
• underperforming microfauna

Most pest issues are solved by fixing the underlying cause.

4. Fungus Gnats: How to Fix Them

Fungus gnats require damp, decomposing materials to breed.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Reduce misting slightly
2. Allow top layer to dry between sprays
3. Add more springtails
4. Add more isopods
5. Improve ventilation for 1–2 hours per day
6. Remove heavily rotting plant matter
7. Add fresh leaf litter to protect soil surface

Optional trap (safe):

• sticky traps placed outside the vivarium
• NEVER inside (frogs get stuck)

5. Mites: Are They Dangerous?

Most mites are harmless or even beneficial.

Harmless mites:

• soil mites
• detritivore mites
• wood mites

These appear naturally and help break down waste.

Concerning mites:

• grain mites (in large numbers)
• parasitic mites (extremely rare in dart frogs)

Fix for harmless but numerous mites:

• increase ventilation
• reduce excess feeding
• lower surface moisture
• boost springtails

Fix for grain mites:

• quarantine feeder cultures
• replace fruit fly cultures
• wipe down affected surfaces
• add springtails to problem areas

6. Phorid Flies (Rare but Important)

Phorid flies indicate:

• rotting food
• dead plant matter
• dead isopods
• anaerobic substrate pockets

Fix:

• check substrate for bad smells
• remove dead sections
• replace part of substrate layer if necessary
• increase microfauna

7. Plant Pests (Aphids, Mealybugs, Scale)

Occasionally introduced with new plants.

Safe removal:

• rinse leaves under running water
• manually remove pests
• introduce more isopods to eat fallen pests
• isolate plant for 1–2 weeks

Unsafe methods:

❌ pesticides
❌ systemic plant treatments
❌ neem oil inside a vivarium
❌ dish soap sprays

These all harm frogs.

8. Preventing Pest Problems Long-Term

A) Don’t overfeed fruit flies

Excess flies = excess nutrients = mites + gnats.

B) Maintain leaf litter coverage

Never allow bare soil. Leaf litter suppresses gnats and mites.

C) Maintain strong microfauna colonies

Seed every new vivarium heavily.

D) Control moisture levels

Let the surface layer dry slightly between mists.

E) Quarantine new plants

7–14 days minimum.

Key Takeaways

• Microfauna is the foundation of a stable bioactive system.
• Pests occur when moisture, waste, or airflow is imbalanced.
• Fungus gnats thrive in overly wet conditions.
• Most mites are harmless and controlled through good hygiene.
• No chemicals should ever be used inside a dart frog enclosure.
• Prevention is easier than fixing outbreaks.