Have you recently discovered Asian Jumping worms or Hammerhead worms in your soil?
These destructive and invasive worm species are making headlines in our Nation's soil.
Jumping worms are an invasive species originating from Asia and their spread across the United States has been rapid. These worms reside in the topmost layer of soil, which protects the soil from erosion.
Hammerhead worms are native to Southeast Asia and are now considered a highly invasive species in many US regions, as they can have negative impacts on native ecosystems and the animals that live in them.
How can you tell if you have Asian Jumping Worms or Hammerhead Worms?
An infestation of jumping worms can be identified by the uniform, granular soil created by the nutrient-rich castings that the worms leave behind.
The texture of this soil is often compared to coffee grounds.
When the top layer of soil is disturbed, you will notice the worms thrashing about with an erratic, snakelike movement.
These worms can grow up to 6 inches in length and are much more active than European nightcrawlers. A close-up examination of the worm will reveal a prominent band around the body called the clitellum, where cocoons are produced.
Hammerhead worms are flat, elongated creatures that can range in size from just a few centimeters to over a meter in length.
They have a distinctive hammer-shaped head, and their bodies are usually brown or gray in color, and they may have stripes or spots.
If you suspect Hammerhead worms in your garden or yard, you may notice a decline in the population of other invertebrates, such as snails, slugs, and earthworms. Hammerhead worms are predators that feed on these creatures. You may also notice small holes or pits in the soil, which can be a sign of hammerhead worm activity.
Controlling Jumping and Hammerhead Worms: Studies behind Saponin-rich plants
According to several university reports, researchers found that many plants containing saponin (tea, soybeans, yucca, maple leaves) affect invasive worms in a unique way.
Research is underway at the Universities of Penn State, Vermont, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Cornell to study invasive worms.
They find that plants containing naturally occurring saponins, and other compounds such as mustard powder, biochar, and various fungi are being investigated for their effects on Jumping Worms.
When exposed to these plant extracts: in almost all instances, research shows Jumping Worms move to the surface where they are exposed to the air, weaken, and dehydrate.
Compounds that elicit the movement of the worms to the surface are one new-found method of reducing the damaging effects on the environment from these invasive worms according to university testing.