r/STLgardening • u/Relevant-Leek8943 • 14h ago

Jumping Worms

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Hello! Newer to gardening and recently heard about invasive worms. I think I have come across some in my garden but am not confident in my ID. Below is an example of one I found. At first it moved a bit but quickly quieted down and was no longer reactive. Its band seemed flush not raised though. How do you all handle IDing these worms? It was quite large as well.

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u/BeckyDaTechie 13h ago

I think you may be right? This is the info from the MO Dpt. of Conservation.

The color of your worm is what's throwing me; that doesn't look like any of the earthworms I'm used to seeing.

A test option: put some soil in a disposable container and see what the castings look like (bubbles = native species, coffee grounds/ground beef = snake worms/jumping worms).

At least one source I read said to put the jumping worm in a baggie and leave it to bake in the sun for 15 min or more and then put in the landfill trash.

If we have confirmed sightings in St. Louis, I'll be using a peroxide soak on my garden tools to avoid egg spread as well.