Habitat-destroying “jumping worms” require gardeners’ vigilance, action to stop spread

Invasive Japanese worms being found in Washtenaw County



Home gardeners, farmers, landscapers -- anyone who works with plants and soil – have a new foe to battle: jumping worms. These invasive Asian worms are causing rapid and destructive environmental changes, and have been found in multiple Washtenaw County locations. As a new gardening season approaches, we all need to be on the lookout and take steps to stop the spread of these formidable creatures.

Why should we care?

In October 2025, MSU Extension published a report, "Invasive Jumping Worms: Background, identification and control." It explains, “[J]umping worms change characteristics of the soil and alter the soil surface, destroying habitat that is important for native insects, ground nesting birds, and other small animals.” Soil is left less fertile, less able to retain water, and more susceptible to erosion and other invasive species. Although jumping worms have been in the U.S. since 2008, they are rapidly expanding their range through human-assisted accidental transport in soil, compost and mulch.

What makes them so dangerous?

Jumping worms are a challenging species for a number of reasons. Consider the following facts:

• Voracious appetite for leaf litter and mulch
• Rapid reproduction without need to mate
• Cocoons (poppy seed size) can survive in soil for years
• Single worm can produce 10-50 cocoons per season
• No significant predators; birds will not eat
• Easily spread from location to location in soil/compost

How can I identify them? 

Identifying an adult jumping worm isn’t difficult – when disturbed, it thrashes around in a violent frenzy. They are fast and appear snake-like in movement. Ranging from 1.5 to 8 inches long, jumping worms have a pale, whitish ring (clitellum) encircling their bodies which lies flat and is much closer to the head than it is in naturalized earthworms. They also have large, visible mouths and can lose the ends of their tails when grabbed.

Identifying the cocoons is much more difficult due to their incredibly small size. The young hatch when the soil reaches 50 degrees and mature in three to four months. The best time to look for activity is in May-June, before they mature and can reproduce. To check an area for jumping worms, you can use a mix of ground yellow mustard powder and water to pour over the ground, which irritates the worms and brings them to the surface. Look for the signs of a jumping worm infestation – mulch that disappears quickly and crumbly soil that looks like used coffee grounds. Container plantings could also be at risk.

If you find jumping worms in any location, please report it to the Midwest Invasive Species Network (MISIN).

How can I eradicate them?

Eradicating jumping worms is challenging, as there is no single proven method for control. Solarization under plastic and targeted soil tilling in early spring to pick out immature worms are your best options. Kill the immature worms by dropping them into a bucket of soapy water or sand.

What actions can I take?

Help stop the spread of these invasive worms! 

• Don’t move worms or soil to other locations.
• Clean tools, shoes and even tire treads to remove potentially infested soil.
• Ensure soil and compost purchases have been sterilized.
• Purchase bare-root plants whenever possible. Avoid acquiring plants through community or online exchanges. If you do, remove the soil from potted plants, then thoroughly wash and inspect the roots before replanting in fresh soil. Solarize the removed soil for three days or discard it in a sealed bag.
• Do not feed jumping worms to chickens (they retain toxics from the soil); do not use them to make compost or for fishing bait.
• Inform your neighbors, friends and family about jumping worms and how to avoid spreading them.

Learn more with these resources:

University of Maryland Extension fact sheet

University of New Hampshire Extension fact sheet about plant sales/exchanges

Video resources:

2025 Presentation Purdue University Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory staff (31:20)

Identifying Invasive Jumping Worms (3:10) 

Asian Jumping Worms Penn State Extension (5:19)

Battling Invasive Plants – It's Everyone's Fight

They are completely different plants, but what do baby's breath (Gypsophila paniculata), burning bush (Euonymous alatus), and lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) have in common? They are all considered invasive plants in Michigan! 

Michigan has a number of non-native plants that cause no harm -- dandelions, for example. An invasive non-native plant is one that causes harm to the environment, economy, or humans. These invasives often spread rapidly and outcompete our native species. Soil quality, habitats and wildlife are all negatively impacted.

As gardeners, we have a responsibility to avoid purchasing or planting these species and to remove them from our landscapes when they appear. Many invasive plants are still being sold at nurseries and other retail outlets, so it's incumbent on us to know which plants to avoid. (Some of them may surprise you!) Unsure what plants are on the ‘bad’ list? Interested in suggestions for similar, native replacements? Check out these resources:

Midwest Invasive Plant Network (search on Michigan)

MSU Extension Invasive Species

State of Michigan Invasive Species Program

City of Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation

Be a reporter

If you observe invasive species in your neighborhood or local area, help combat the problem by reporting it to the Michigan Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN).

If you find listed invasive species being sold at local nurseries or box stores, report it to The Wildflower Association of Michigan Environmental Advocacy Council (WAMEAC) via this online form. WAMEAC is monitoring the marketing of these species in order to inform legislators about the extent to which invasive species are being sold in our state.

Another approach to the problem of invasives being sold is underway through the Go Beyond Beauty program. Created by the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network, GBB was developed as a way to acknowledge garden professionals (nurseries, growers and landscapers) who have committed to not selling or using high-priority ornamental invasive species. There are currently eight GBB hubs in Michigan working to enlist garden professionals in the program. Our local hub is the Jackson Lenawee Washtenaw Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (JLW CISMA).

Proper disposal is key

If you’re battling invasive plants in your landscape, this Michigan Citizen's Guide to Invasive Species Disposal outlines species-specific disposal methods including burning, bagging, and solarization, and describes which species are not suitable for composting.

Image credit: Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network