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Jumping worms #889033

Asked October 30, 2024, 9:36 AM EDT

We compost our food scraps in a plastic compost bin, mixing in chopped leaves. This fall, as I was digging into the compost to move it over to my vegetable garden, I realized it was full of jumping worms. Where did they come from? I am not aware of them being present anywhere else on my property. How do I dispose of the compost that contains the worms?

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.
There is no special way to handle compost with jumping worms.  These are widely spread through the metro area (including the Arboretum),  Eggs are about the size of a coffee ground. They could have been tracked in on shoes, attached to roots of farm produce, etc. 
There is no known management for them. 
They may cause the soil to settle faster in garden beds. 
https://mitppc.umn.edu/research/research-projects/jumping-worms-minnesota
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialanimals/jumping-worm/index.html
My gardens are full of them.  
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied October 30, 2024, 12:15 PM EDT

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