Invasive jumping worms continue to spread across Indiana

Purdue Extension first confirmed the worms in Bartholomew, Vanderburgh and Allen counties in July 2022. A year later they have been reported in Monroe, Brown, La Porte, Vincennes and Jasper counties, according to the Purdue Plant and Diagnostic Lab. Purdue has now confirmed that they have spread to Gibson, Marion, and Montgomery counties.

Jumping worms are different from typical earthworms. They consume a lot of nutrients from the soil, changing its makeup. This change makes it hard for many plants to grow well.

 After these invasive worms are done in an area, the soil looks and feels like coffee grounds and doesn't have much nutritional value left.

 Bob Bruner is the exotic forest and pest specialist with Purdue Extension.

“This is a big deal and we do need to have a lot of attention on it,” Bruner said. “At the same time, the landscape of Indiana is not about to be devoured by Asian jumping worms.”

Jumping worms live in the soil, so they can be spread in potted plants, potting mixes, or mulch.

In everyday yard work like raking or mulching, gardeners may unknowingly disturb earthworms and their egg sacs, called cocoons.

“The worms only migrate in soil around 1 inch per year,” Bruner said. “So, they are spreading because of us.”

The spread of the worms can have big consequences for the environment because earthworms play a crucial role in maintaining healthy soil and biodiversity.

Bruner explained that gardeners shouldn’t panic over the spread of the jumping worms quite yet, but it is something to be concerned about.

“Just keep your eyes open,” Bruner said. “Use your best judgment and practice the care that our master gardeners always have.”

Purdue researchers recommend getting soil and compost from trusted sources to slow the spread of the invasive species.