Asian Jumping Worms: Gardening's New Enemy

0:00Gardening seasons heating up, but these invasive crazy worms are jumping into the mix across the US Asian jumping worms, also called snake worms. Hit our shores from Asia in the late 1800s via plants and products. They grew up to six inches, sport a Milky Way band, and thrashed wildly or snap off their tails when disturbed. They're spreading fast now, establishing the northeast, southeast, and Midwest for years, but recently popping up on the west coast and in Canada. Researchers confirmed them in Colorado last October, with reports in 38 states total. Unlike helpful native earthworms that aerate in enriched soil, these surface dwellers devour organic matter and leaves at warp speed. That leaves behind gritty, coffee-ground-like poop that starves native plants, wildflowers, and forests, a real ecological and economic punch. Infestations show up as that uniform granular topsoil, and since eradication is impossible, it's push prevention hard.

1:00Skit moving suspect soil, compost, or pot of plants always inspect the foresharing, opt for bare root stock, and by bulk mulcher compost. He treated to 130 degrees Fahrenheit for three days' min. So keep your eyes peeled in the yard, double check everything you bring in, and let's block these jumpers from crashing more spots before they turn. Prime gardens into wastelands. That wraps Tampa Bay news today brought to you with AI. I'm Corey with The Story.