Asian jumping worms problems

Lindalana · October 2, 2019

Seems to be all over IL now too.
Started investigating my yard and sure looks like big wiggly things like my wood chipped mulched paths.
Looking for wisdom, what when and how to deal with this. Specially concerned about growing tomatoes in pots, possibility of damage to the roots?

GoDawgs · October 2, 2019

Good grief! If it's not one thing it's another crossing the ocean. Here's a link about them:
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.e...-jumping-worms

Although the above says they've been in the southeast a good while, I've not seen any here. According to the article they feed on leaf litter etc, not our plants. This is the only reference to harm caused by them:

"Once established, populations can build quickly. They can out-compete and push out the other earthworms and degrade ecosystems, especially forests and woodlands by stripping the soil surface of protective organic matter."

Lindalana · October 4, 2019

Ha, I have not thought about it. I know Wisconsin has it everywhere too. Anyone else?

MissS · October 4, 2019

Yes they are here in Wisconsin. They make great fishing bait.

GoDawgs · October 5, 2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissS

Yes they are here in Wisconsin. They make great fishing bait.

Now that would be a GREAT use for them!

Lindalana · October 5, 2019

Miss S, any damage to growing plants? I am finding them in my potted tomato plant bottoms. Since they like to be on the surface I am less concerned about plants growing in the ground which have deeper roots.
Yea, they big and wiggly, bet great for fishing.

MissS · October 5, 2019

I have not noticed any damage from them. In fact I did not know for the longest time that they were a different type of worm. I just thought that they were more active due to some environmental issue like the weather.

October 21, 2019

I haven't seen any in Idaho, yet, but the worms here do seem more drought-tolerant than usual, and more active (but not like those Asian jumping worms).

October 2, 2019	#1
Lindalana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 857	Asian jumping worms problems Seems to be all over IL now too. Started investigating my yard and sure looks like big wiggly things like my wood chipped mulched paths. Looking for wisdom, what when and how to deal with this. Specially concerned about growing tomatoes in pots, possibility of damage to the roots?

October 4, 2019	#4
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,146	Yes they are here in Wisconsin. They make great fishing bait. __________________ ~ Patti ~

October 5, 2019	#7
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,146	I have not noticed any damage from them. In fact I did not know for the longest time that they were a different type of worm. I just thought that they were more active due to some environmental issue like the weather. __________________ ~ Patti ~

October 2, 2019	#2
GoDawgs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Augusta area, Georgia, 8a/7b Posts: 1,685	Good grief! If it's not one thing it's another crossing the ocean. Here's a link about them: https://hortnews.extension.iastate.e...-jumping-worms Although the above says they've been in the southeast a good while, I've not seen any here. According to the article they feed on leaf litter etc, not our plants. This is the only reference to harm caused by them: "Once established, populations can build quickly. They can out-compete and push out the other earthworms and degrade ecosystems, especially forests and woodlands by stripping the soil surface of protective organic matter."

October 21, 2019	#8
shule1 Guest Posts: n/a	I haven't seen any in Idaho, yet, but the worms here do seem more drought-tolerant than usual, and more active (but not like those Asian jumping worms).