Boot Camp

Everything your farm-raised recruits need to establish, multiply, and hold the line against mold. Five briefings, then you're cleared for deployment.

1. 01

   Deployment

   Tip the culture into your enclosure or tap a portion onto the substrate surface. Springtails burrow into the top layer and get to work within a day. For a new bioactive setup, seed the whole culture and let them establish before adding larger animals.

2. 02

   Terrain & Climate

   Keep the substrate consistently moist (damp, never waterlogged) with good airflow. Most crews thrive at 68–80°F. Pockets of leaf litter, cork bark, and charcoal give them cover and breeding grounds.

3. 03

   Rations

   Feed lightly: a pinch of springtail food, brewer's yeast, or a sliver of mushroom once or twice a week. Remove anything that molds heavily or fouls the air. Overfeeding invites mites, so ration discipline keeps the unit healthy.

4. 04

   Growing the Ranks

   Populations boom when fed and hydrated consistently. Expect a visible surge in 3 to 6 weeks. To reinforce another enclosure, scoop out a portion of substrate with animals and transfer it. Your crew is self-replenishing.

5. 05

   Troubleshooting

   Crew gone quiet? Mist to raise humidity and offer a fresh pinch of food. Standing water or sour smell means too wet, so add ventilation and dry substrate. Grain mites (fast, round, tan) mean overfeeding, so cut rations and improve airflow.