{"id":79588,"date":"2024-06-17T16:49:48","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T09:49:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legendstitch.com\/?p=79588"},"modified":"2024-06-17T16:49:48","modified_gmt":"2024-06-17T09:49:48","slug":"jumping-worms-in-the-garden-heres-what-you-must-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legendstitch.com\/jumping-worms-in-the-garden-heres-what-you-must-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Jumping Worms In The Garden? Here\u2019s What You Must Do…"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sightings of jumping worms have been reported recently in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and southern Ontario. Gardeners in these areas are facing difficulties as a result of the invasive worms\u2019 notable proliferation via horticulture.\n

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Because jumping worms alter the soil, they pose a major danger to forest ecosystems.\n

They eat organic material quickly, and their castings, or excrement, change the structure of the soil and make it less able to retain water. Additionally, jumping worms alter the microbial and fungal populations in the soil by increasing its nitrogen content.\n

Variations in the fungi and bacteria that inhabit the soil might impact the kinds of plants that can thrive and spread, which could have a domino effect on wildlife.\n

Jumping worms should therefore be prevented from entering forest environments.\n

How to identify a jumping worm\n

When adults are at their largest, which is between August and September, this is the best time to spot jumping worms.\n

They will typically gather in big numbers in the topsoil, which is where you can locate them.\n

These worms are known for their furiously thrashing behavior, which occurs when they are startled and makes them highly active.\n

Jumping worms have smooth, glossy skin, in contrast to European earthworm species, which are sticky or squishy to the touch. Additionally, unlike other earthworm species, they have a distinctive clitellum, or collar-like band, around their body that is closer to their head and has a white or grey color.\n

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Additionally, you can search for soil alterations such as:\n

Quicker than typical mulch breakdown variations in the texture of the soil. Jumping worm castings, or excrement, have a texture similar to coffee grinds and give the soil a more granular appearance.
\nMustard Pour: Use a mustard pour to draw jumping worms to the surface so you can report them if you think they may be in your garden.\n

Take these easy actions:\n