Jumping worms??

[ducks4you]

Stop the spread of jumping worms and other invasive species

Thoroughly clean tools, shoes, and vehicles when moving from one site to another. Only purchase compost, mulch, or other organic matter that has been heated to appropriate temperatures and duration to reduce the spread of pathogens, insects, and weeds. Jumping worm egg casings do n

extension.illinois.edu

 

[catjac1975]

I guess they are a terrible thing. I belong to a local FB forum in SE Massachusetts for gardeners. I have to say it. Americans are pretty unaware of the natural world. They have their computers and phones and follow every terrifying story. First it was the giant hornets, and people were posting every winged creature that might kill them or their child with a terrible sting. An no, they are not here. A few were found in a western location of the US. And then it was these worms. Some were out trying to kill every worm they see, which is what I feared would happen to the gardens best soil amender. I saw pretty active worms that jumped around when I was a kid. So far I have no seen any of these fearful creatures.

 

[meadow]

A few were found in a western location of the US.

::checks the map::

Basically my backyard. But I get your point.

 

[AMKuska]

Supposedly you can tell whether you have jumping worms both by the soil surface (it'll look like coffee grounds instead of normal soil) and by dumping a concoction of mustard powder and water on the ground. If a mass of worms rise out of the ground like a demon spawning, you got jumping worms. -.-

I've also read that scientists are testing a possible solution to it. Apparently a lawn care fertilizer has been effective in eliminating them: https://extension.psu.edu/look-out-for-jumping-earthworms

That's about all I know.

 

[flowerbug]

Supposedly you can tell whether you have jumping worms both by the soil surface (it'll look like coffee grounds instead of normal soil) and by dumping a concoction of mustard powder and water on the ground. If a mass of worms rise out of the ground like a demon spawning, you got jumping worms. -.-

I've also read that scientists are testing a possible solution to it. Apparently a lawn care fertilizer has been effective in eliminating them: https://extension.psu.edu/look-out-for-jumping-earthworms

That's about all I know.

the banding of them is pretty distinctive compared to many other worms i've seen.

 

[catjac1975]

Supposedly you can tell whether you have jumping worms both by the soil surface (it'll look like coffee grounds instead of normal soil) and by dumping a concoction of mustard powder and water on the ground. If a mass of worms rise out of the ground like a demon spawning, you got jumping worms. -.-

I've also read that scientists are testing a possible solution to it. Apparently a lawn care fertilizer has been effective in eliminating them: https://extension.psu.edu/look-out-for-jumping-earthworms

That's about all I know.

Does it also kill native worms?

 

[catjac1975]

Supposedly you can tell whether you have jumping worms both by the soil surface (it'll look like coffee grounds instead of normal soil) and by dumping a concoction of mustard powder and water on the ground. If a mass of worms rise out of the ground like a demon spawning, you got jumping worms. -.-

I've also read that scientists are testing a possible solution to it. Apparently a lawn care fertilizer has been effective in eliminating them: https://extension.psu.edu/look-out-for-jumping-earthworms

That's about all I know.

I just read the story. Handpicking worms and cocoons? Hhhhhmmmmm

 

[AMKuska]

I imagine handpicking is fairly easy after the mustard treatment. The mustard bath only catches worms at the very surface--where jumping worms live. It won't irritate worms down below. I saw a video of it and I personally hope I never see an infestation.

 

[meadow]

I imagine handpicking is fairly easy after the mustard treatment. The mustard bath only catches worms at the very surface--where jumping worms live. It won't irritate worms down below. I saw a video of it and I personally hope I never see an infestation.

Unfortunately Oregon is reporting them along the I-5 corridor, so it looks pretty likely they are here too. DD is the one that found that information (she'd not heard of them before either) and I think she said that they'd actually first been seen in Oregon quite some time ago (but I can't remember what she said).

Anyway, I'm glad to have the heads-up. At least I can be a little more selective in what I bring onto our property.

 

[jbosmith]

We have these as of last summer and, environmental concerns aside, they're obnoxious. If you stand barefoot in your hard they'll slither out from under your feet or between your toes like a slimey snake because they don't like the compaction. I'm not overly squeemish and still find them pretty unenjoyable.