Jumping worms – a “B” movie?

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Jumping worms – a “B” movie?

Jumping worms have become a big topic lately. This invader is also known as snake worm, crazy worm and Alabama jumper. The link in the first line gives you a lot of information from the University of Minnesota extension including a list of plant sale recommendations.

It’s an Asian earthworm that turns your soil into something like coffee grounds while destroying your plants and lawn. It’s been in the Twin Cities since 2006 but has now been confirmed by the Minnesota DNR to be in Rochester and possibly Duluth.

Wisconsin started seeing it in 2013. I first told you about this pest last September. As an invasive it’s fairly new but very undesirable! They’re called “jumping worms” because they wiggle intensely when disturbed and sometimes appear to be jumping.

It’s believed that they were spread throughout North America by people moving potted plants, soil, compost, mulch, traded plants and fishing bait. They’re a poor choice for bait because they break up into segments.

They eat leaf litter and even larger chip mulch. If you get an infestation, especially on a slope, it is primed for erosion because the soil is so loose. When a garden dries out, the jumping worms cluster around roots of plants and eat the fine ones that absorb moisture, eventually killing the plant. Shallow rooted plants have the toughest time. Below is a long video but well worth the watch!

With all the local garden clubs having special plant sales, it’s especially important to examine the plants. Right now, however, the worms are small and their cocoons even smaller. 

There are no pesticides labeled for worms in the United States.  

The following is taken directly from the U of MN Extension:

Management

There are no pesticides labeled for worms in the United States. No products can legally be used in Minnesota as pesticides, including for jumping worms, if they are not labeled and regulated by the EPA and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Prevention is the only known management for worms.

If you have jumping worms, please consider participating in this citizen science project to help us better understand possible jumping worm management options.

Prevention

Everyone can play a part to prevent the spread of earthworms, including jumping worms.

• Don’t buy worms advertised as jumping worms, “snake worms”, “Alabama jumpers” or “crazy worms” for any purpose.

• Anglers: Dispose of unwanted bait worms in the trash. Never release any worm into the environment – all earthworms are non-native in Minnesota.

• Gardeners: Be on the lookout for jumping worms in soil, potted landscape plants, mulch or compost. If you see soil that looks like coffee grounds or notice unusually jumpy worms in your mulch:

  • Don’t move any material that might be harboring jumping worms.

  • Report any suspected jumping worms.

• Composters: If you purchase worms for composting, know how to identify the species you are buying.

  • Check your order to ensure it doesn’t have jumping worms in it.

  • Get advice from Great Lakes Worm Watch on the ABC’s of composting with earthworms safely

• When out enjoying nature, follow the recommendations of PlayCleanGo: Stop Invasive Species in Your Tracks:

  • REMOVE plants, animals, and mud from boots, gear, pets and vehicles.

  • CLEAN your gear before entering and leaving a recreation site.

  • STAY on designated roads and trails.