Asian Jumping Worms: What We Know

Last fall, I was digging in one of my garden beds to plant garlic when I came across the largest worm I had ever seen. Quickly, my heart jumped into my throat - I had heard about these extra large, extra wriggly worms and knew that they were not a good sign for my garden. This turned into a full on panic as I dug up various spots throughout the yard and found they were spread out across the entire acre of land. An infestation of jumping worms that I knew meant trouble for my soil health and ability to grow thriving vegetable plants in ground.

To my horror, as I began frantically googling, it slowly dawned on me that there is surprisingly little known about these worms and how to effectively eradicate them. Cutting them in half just causes one worm to duplicate into two, burning them seems cruel, and when I tried to drown them in a bucket of water, they somehow managed to quickly climb out…and that my friends is how I ended up with a gallon size baggie of worms frozen in my freezer. Freezing them felt like the most ethical way to deal with them, as they basically just go into a deep sleep and never wake up, but still - I was left nauseous and horrified.

What are jumping worms?

Jumping worms, scientifically known as Amynthas spp., are a group of invasive earthworms native to East Asia. They are also commonly referred to as crazy worms, snake worms, or Alabama jumpers. These worms are distinguished by their unique behavior of thrashing and writhing vigorously when handled or disturbed, which gives them the appearance of "jumping." Unlike traditional earthworms, which burrow deep into the soil, jumping worms typically reside in the upper organic layer, where they feed on decaying organic matter, leaf litter, and root systems.

One of the most alarming characteristics of jumping worms is their ability to quickly degrade the soil structure and organic matter. They consume large quantities of organic material and leave behind castings that, unlike earthworm castings, are devoid of nutrients, altering the composition and texture of the soil in negative ways. This rapid decomposition can lead to significant changes in soil fertility, moisture retention, and nutrient availability, detrimentally affecting plant growth and ecosystem dynamics.

Jumping worms are highly adaptable and can thrive in various environments, including forests, gardens, and agricultural fields. They reproduce rapidly and have been known to easily outcompete native earthworm species, disrupting soil ecosystems and native plant communities. Additionally, their presence can attract predators and disrupt food webs, further impacting the balance of local ecosystems. While they die back in areas with cold winters, their microscopic eggs survive the chill to hatch next spring.

Due to their invasive nature and destructive impact on soil health, jumping worms pose a significant threat to natural ecosystems and agricultural systems alike. Efforts to control and manage their spread are essential to mitigate their negative effects and protect biodiversity.

How do you identify jumping worms?

Jumping worms are very large and often have a translucent, milky-white to grayish-brown coloration, with a slightly iridescent sheen. Jumping worms have a slim, cylindrical body with a smooth and uniform appearance. One of the most distinctive characteristics of jumping worms is their behavior when handled or disturbed. They exhibit a unique thrashing or writhing motion, resembling "jumping" or "dancing." When picked up or exposed to light, jumping worms may quickly retract and thrash around vigorously.

Jumping worm vs earthworm

But how can you tell jumping worms from beneficial garden earthworms? Unlike earthworms,The clitellum on a jumping worm is milky white to gray-colored, smooth and completely encircles the body of the worm. In contrast, the clitellum of European earthworms does not wrap entirely around the worm. Jumping worms are generally larger in size compared to traditional earthworm species, typically ranging from eight to twelve inches in length.

How did jumping worms get to the USA?

Jumping worms are native to East Asia, specifically regions such as Japan, Korea, China, and parts of Southeast Asia. Within their native range, they play a role in ecosystem processes and are part of the natural soil fauna. The introduction of jumping worms to new regions outside of their native range is attributed to human activities.

There are several common pathways through which jumping worms can be inadvertently transported. Jumping worms may be transported via potted plants, root balls, or soil associated with ornamental plants. They can hitch a ride in nursery stock or gardening supplies, allowing them to spread to new locations. The movement of mulch, compost, or soil amendments from infested areas can facilitate the spread of jumping worms. These materials may contain eggs, cocoons, or even adult worms, which can establish new populations when introduced to suitable habitats.

Landscaping projects, such as transplanting, grading, or soil disturbance, can inadvertently spread jumping worms to new areas. Construction projects, garden renovations, and land clearing activities may disturb soil ecosystems, allowing jumping worms to be dispersed. Outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and gardening, can also inadvertently transport jumping worms from infested areas to new locations. Soil clinging to footwear, equipment, or vehicles can serve as a means of transport.

Once introduced to new regions, jumping worms can establish populations rapidly, aided by their prolific reproduction and ability to thrive in a variety of habitats. Their invasive nature and disruptive effects on soil ecosystems highlight the importance of preventing their spread and implementing measures to manage and control their populations in affected areas.

Where have jumping worms been found?

As an invasive species, jumping worms have been reported in numerous countries and regions, including:

• United States: Jumping worms have been documented in many states across the U.S., including but not limited to:

• Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin

• Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont

• Southeast: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia

• West: California, Oregon, Washington

• Canada: Reports of jumping worms have emerged in several provinces, such as Ontario and Quebec.

• Europe: Jumping worms have been observed in countries like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

• Australia: There have been reports of jumping worms in various parts of Australia, although they are not as widespread as in some other regions.

• Asia: In addition to their native range in East Asia, jumping worms have also been reported in other parts of Asia due to human-mediated transport.

How to get rid of jumping worms

Managing and controlling jumping worms requires a multifaceted approach that aims to limit their spread, reduce their populations, and mitigate their impact on ecosystems. While complete eradication of jumping worms may be challenging, various strategies can help manage and control their populations. We need to raise awareness among the public, gardeners, and landscapers about the threat posed by jumping worms and the importance of preventing their spread.

To reduce the spread of jumping worms, we should minimize the transport of soil, mulch, compost, and plant materials from infested areas to uninfested sites, especially during landscaping, gardening, and restoration activities, and establish monitoring programs to track the distribution and abundance of jumping worms in affected areas. We can also implement practices that disrupt jumping worm populations such as solarizing soil, although these methods may also impact native soil organisms and soil structure.

How to kill jumping worms

Chemical control methods for jumping worms are currently limited, and there are no widely accepted chemical treatments specifically targeting jumping worms. Some studies have explored the potential use of certain soil amendments, such as lime or biochar, to modify soil conditions and suppress jumping worm populations, although more research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness and potential impacts.

It is not known if jumping worms have any potential natural enemies, predators, or parasites that could be used as biological control agents, and this approach requires careful consideration to avoid unintended consequences and ecological disruptions. It is not safe to feed jumping worms to chickens or use them as fish bait, because they retain heavy metals and toxins from the soil.

An integrated approach combining prevention, monitoring, cultural practices, and research is essential for managing and mitigating the impacts of jumping worms on ecosystems and agricultural systems. Effective management strategies will require ongoing collaboration, adaptive management, and interdisciplinary efforts to address this invasive species threat.

It may seem like managing jumping worms is a hopeless endeavor, but while some adaptation is required and additional measures are needed to control soil health and quality, there are many home gardeners learning through experience different ways to keep jumping worms from destroying their gardens. The reality is that soil health needs to be a priority through aggressive composting and mulching efforts, which are practices that every gardener should be employing for thriving plants regardless of whether or not they have jumping worms in their garden beds yet. This is still a relatively new issue that is actively being researched, so many new developments are possible in the coming years that could help to control invasive jumping worms in the United States.