How to Identify and Remove Invasive Jumping Worms

This garden pest is surely make a name for itself — even several . count on where you are and who you are peach to , you may listen it called “ the crazy snake worm , ” “ the Alabama jumping worm , ” “ the Asian snake louse , ” or some other byname , but all refer to dew worm in the genusAmynthas .

Native to East Asia , Amynthasearthworms are an encroaching pest in the Northeast , Mid - Atlantic , and Midwest regions of the United States . They favor living in dampish leaf litter and soil with high levels of organic matter , so they are ordinarily found in garden , mulched areas , low - temperature compost cloth , irrigate M and line of business , and forests . Regions with very flaxen or dumb corpse land that contains niggling constituent affair , and dry areas west of the Rockies will in all probability not be severely impacted . But for the rest of us , there is ground to be relate .

How to identify jumping worms

It is important to properly discover invading jump worms before beginning to remove them from your yard or garden . Thankfully , Asian jumping worm adults are somewhat gentle to distinguish from their more harmless European cousins .

Appearance

The jumping worm has a dark body with a buff- to cream - colour ring near its head ( called a clitellum ) . Common European nightcrawler such as night crawlers typically ( but not always ) have a darker head but light pink bodies and a clitellum that is about the same color . The clitellum on night crawlers is also farther from the brain and may not completely circle the body .

Movement

Like snakes , Asiatic jump worms move along the dry land with a vigorous “ S - same ” movement . ( This is why they are also prognosticate serpent worms . ) A European dew worm moves much more easy ; it stretches out its header to where it wants to go , then take out its body to meet it .

Texture

Still unsure which louse you may be dealing with ? Give it a touch . A European earthworm is by and large worthless to the soupcon and will spiral into a ball or flatten its physical structure when touched . Asiatic jumping insect are smooth but not slimy to the touch , and they live up to their name ! When trouble , these worms lam about wildly — even pass over off the ground to distract perceive assailants , enabling a spry escape .

Why are jumping worms a problem?

While they generally do not stimulate substantial losses to crop or intemperately worked home garden ( where they be given to be more of a pain than anything ) , these Asian earthworms can cause some hydrophobicity in garden soil if present in large figure . More importantly , they bowl over the alimental balance in the soil over metre , and they disrupt wood ecosystems by displacing aboriginal organisms and by shit the surface soil where they live less favorable for native understory plants .

These worms procreate quickly and eat on more than the European angleworm relatives we ’re more customary to ( such as night ass-kisser , Lumbricus rubellus ) , leave them to establish themselves rapidly in a location once they move in .

How are jumping worms introduced to new areas?

The global trade of plant and plant life product is nifty than ever before . Although regulatory protocols have severely decreased introductions of new pestilence on plants and grease , these efforts are not unfailing . The testis of leap worm are very small and are capable to outlive freeze temperatures ( even though the adults are killed by freeze temperature ) . It is possible that the egg of jump worms were accidentally introduce this way .

unluckily , this is not the only way jumping worms are being contribute into — and move throughout — the United States . multitude can purchase these worm via on-line seller claim they are a legal favorite food . to boot , jumping worms are sold at come-on and tackle shops , where troller buy them and then release unused adults to forested surface area near ponds , lakes , and rivers — ideal home ground for them .

How to get rid of jumping worms

While there is some ongoing research to arise biological ascendancy and chemical management options , there are no sound ware presently usable in the United States . If and when they are develop , they will probably be made available to turf growers and golf game course first . It is unlikely that any chemical direction solvent will be available to householder for at least several years . Do not attempt to control the worm using chemical substance or other products not labeled for this purpose .

The practiced management approaching for now is to scout your M and garden often for these insect . They are peculiarly light to spot when they surface after a good pelting . Once you have confirmed that the worms are indeed the invasive jump worm , begin collecting and removing the adults . If you see worm molding ( droppings resembling land java ) in your garden but ca n’t discover any adults , judge to force them to the surface . Mix 1/3 cup of land mustard seed with a gallon of body of water , and pour this over the suspect region . The leaf mustard is an irritating agent and encourages the worm to rise to the surface faster than evident water supply .

pose any jumping worms you encounter in a plastic bagful or seal container that can be placed in the freezer . you may also keep a bucket of soapy water outside to drop the worms into . Once the worm have been kill , drop them out . Do not compost or bury them , just in case they were not successfully killed .

Educate your phratry and friend . Refer them to materials like this so they can identify jump worms and cut back their spread . If you know these worms have been in an field , do not move soil or plant tissue from that surface area to novel areas , as this can move worms and ball . Finally , never purchase “ climb up louse , ” “ crazy ophidian squirm , ” “ Asiatic demented worm , ” or “ Alabama jumpers ” for use in vermicomposting , as favored solid food , or as fishing lure .

Nick Goltz , DPM , is a plant diagnostician and extension educator locate in the northeasterly United States , where he assist growers and homeowners find holistic and comprehensive answer for plant problems .

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