Jumping Worms

 

While nearly all earthworms in the Northeast today are non-native, Asian jumping worms are a relatively new invasive species that is rapidly spreading across the United States, devouring organic matter and destroying the top layer of soil that is needed to grow seedlings, wildflowers, etc. These worms grow and reproduce faster than their European counterparts. They are found on the soil surface and in leaf litter, and a sign of an infestation is a uniform, granular soil (like coffee grounds) created from worm castings.

 

The following list was curated by Joan O'Connor, NOFA-NH Board Member and owner of the former Joan's Famous Composting Worms.

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Research:

• Resources List from UVM's Entomology Research Laboratory

• Resources List from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ulster County

• Invasive Species for Homeowners: Asian Jumping Worms, Printable PDF from the Jumping Worm Outreach, Research, & Management Working Group, 2021

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Read:

• Invasive ‘Jumping’ Worms Are Now Tearing Through Midwestern Forests, from Audubon

• Cancel Earthworms, from The Atlantic

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Listen:

• 211-Invasive Asian Jumping Worms: What Gardeners Need to Know, The joe gardener Show podcast episode

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Watch:

• If You See This Jumping Worm, Kill It, a YouTube video

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Connect:

• Invasive Jumping Worms: Observation, Discussion and Support Group on Facebook