An Asian worm species is wreaking havoc in gardens and yards across the American Midwest right now. The invasive jumping worm can survive and multiply in any type of soil and has established itself between the two coasts’ fertile regions. In the United States, these worms are without natural predators, allowing them to breed and build their numbers over time, spreading devastation everywhere they go.
When these creatures eat, they deplete the soil of nutrients and cause it to become ruined. The soil in a certain location is changed after the Asian jumping worms have gone through it, preventing moisture from remaining as effectively as it once did. Not only has the moisture been taken away, but many nutrients have also vanished, making the ground more prone to erosion.
The Asian jumping worm is a frightening insect that can harm the earth across the Midwest. While some people are scared of all worms, this one may be particularly terrifying. Despite the name of the creature implying it can “jump,” its movement is more of a twisting snap that looks equally as awful as it sounds.
According to an Animal Channel article, the Asian jumping worm has been discovered in numerous states in the Midwest of America as of 2021. In 2016, the following states were invaded by this hazardous worm: Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky.
If you find worms in your garden or yard, it is essential that you kill them. These worms can suck all of the nutrients out of the soil, leaving no food for local plants and animals to survive on. The plants and animals in the area start to die off as a result of starvation since there is nowhere for them to live.
If you reside in one of the affected states, you may get rid of these worms by exposing your land to them. Brad Herrick, an ecologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, suggests dousing the soil with a solution that will lure these worms out for air.
To attract earthworms, mix mustard powder with water and spread it over your soil. Then wait for the worms to squirm out of the ground after pouring the mixture on top of your soil. They can emerge in as little as thirty seconds.
Because mustard powder irritates the worms’ skin, they leave the ground and migrate to get away from it.
The Asian jumping worm has a distinct marker on its body that distinguishes it from other species. A white ring encircles the creature’s body and is near the top.
Smithsonian says, “Researchers suggest individuals remove any adult worms they find, place them in a plastic bag, leave them in the sun for at least ten minutes and then throw them away. Experts also suggest that individuals shouldn’t purchase the worms for bait, gardening, or composting—and should only buy compost or mulch that has been adequately heated to reduce the spread of egg casings, which do not survive temperatures over 104 degrees Fahrenheit.”
