Don’t Let These Worm Their Way into Your Yard
Gardeners have enough things to worry about. In addition to the Spotted LanternFly now it’s Jumping Worms! What is a jumping worm you ask?
They are a type of earthworm. They move like a snake and sometimes look like they are jumping. How do I know if I have them in my yard or pots? Look for soil that looks like coffee grounds. Jumping Worms eat and excrete waste so the soil gets a texture similar to coffee grounds. They feast on mulch and strip nutrients from topsoil which can kill your plants.
Check your garden and pots for these Jumping Worms
More information below
For more information go to:
https://portal.ct.gov/caes
JUMPING WORMS
Why are we concerned about Jumping Worms?
In a home garden, jumping worms consume large amounts of organic material which can change the soil composition and leave the soil depleted of normal nutrients needed for plant health. The worm castings (feces) sit on top of the soil, leaving nutrients out of reach of plant roots and increasing the risk of nutrient runoff. Since they live at the top level of the soil, they don’t help with aeration and water filtration. Jumping worms can out-compete or displace beneficial earthworms in the home garden.
These non-native worms are spreading rapidly in Connecticut through soil, compost, mulch, and yard waste. They are also spread in the soil of purchased or shared plants, pots, compost, and may be found in products containing worm castings.
What does the Jumping Worm look like?
Worms referred to as jumping worms, crazy worms, snake worms, are a type of earthworm. They are called “jumping worms” because of their unusual behavior when disturbed – they move like a snake and sometimes appear to be jumping. A light-colored white or gray ring extends around the body and is closer to the head than in other earthworms. They do not bite.
The soil that contains their castings has a distinctive granular look like coffee grounds or ground meat. This may be your first indication that jumping worms are present.
What can be done to control Jumping Worm?
Hand-pick worms, seal them in a trash bag and discard the bag in your trash. They can also be killed by putting them into a container with vinegar or rubbing alcohol.
Solarization is another method that involves using a plastic drop cloth to cover soil in a sunny area but may take up to three days depending on the situation. Placing small amounts of soil in sealed, plastic bags in a sunny location may also be effective.
Do not share plants in potted soil from your garden if you know you have jumping worms. If presence is unknown, take precautionary measures to clean roots, pots, and use a sterile potting medium.
There are currently no chemical control methods for invasive jumping worms.
Go to Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station for more detailed information.
Information and photo from CAES