Hello Mary,

thank you for reaching out to ASK extension. I am sorry to read that you may have found jumping worms in your compost. It can be discouraging to invest time and efforts to get a valuable compost and then find out that it is contaminated by an invasive pest.  

Here is a document from Penn State Extension on identifying if you actually have jumping worms in your compost:  Look Out for Jumping Earthworms!

There is currently no method of control for the Asian Jumping Worm (Amynthas agrestis, A. tokioensis and Metaphire Hilgendorfi) except to physically remove them from the soil when found and destroy them (letting them dry out in a container or drop them in a bucket of soapy water until we are sure they have drowned for example). Although adults will die in winter, the next generation will not, and cocoons will be ready to hatch in the spring.

I have found a document from the University of Maryland Extension which gives guidance on how to deal with the presence of jumping worms. In addition to physical removal, you might be interested by the solarization process given that both adults and cocoon die when the temperature reaches 105°F for 3 days. Invasive Jumping Worms | University of Maryland Extension

I am attaching a fact sheet produced by Cornell University which provides good information on jumping worms including indications on what to do/not do if you have found jumping worms on your property: home gardener.

And here is a document from Oregon State University which describes how jumping worms impact the soil and why it is so important to limit their spread: Invasive worms jump into Oregon | Oregon State University

I wish you success with removing the jumping worms from your compost. Please do not hesitate to reach out to ASK extension if you need further assistance.

kindly