Jumping worms in organic compost pile - Ask Extension
I have an absolutely beautiful, " black gold" organic compost pile that I have had for almost a decade. I have 4 chickens that "contri...
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Jumping worms in organic compost pile #878337
Asked July 22, 2024, 7:03 PM EDT
I have an absolutely beautiful, " black gold" organic compost pile that I have had for almost a decade. I have 4 chickens that "contribute" to the ingredients along with a good balance of all my organic kitchen scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds etc.
I was recently turning it and discovered a major infestation of jumping worms...gross. I'm desperate to find a solution to eradicating them so I can use my compost to fill my new, large raised bed garden. The little I've read it seems that heat kills them but how in the world do I heat it in a very short time in order to kill them??
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
I have no easy answers for you. Temperatures of 104 or above for 3 days will kill the worms and the eggs, but that might be difficult to produce in a finished compost pile. Our recommendation is not to move infested soil into a non-infested areas. You should also report your infestation to the DNR. Here is a good reference:
https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/jumping-worms
https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/jumping-worms
The link to report doesn’t work
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 12:50 PM
To: Chris Figenshaw <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Jumping worms in organic compost pile (#0148255)
There is an e-mail address at this link:
https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/jumping-worms#reporting-1883162
It is:
<personal data hidden>
https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/jumping-worms#reporting-1883162
It is:
<personal data hidden>
