I’m pretty sure you are familiar with earthworms, as we all are. They are a harmless species that cultivate the soil and make it even more fertile.

Not all worms are created to help. Some are there to destroy and we have to watch out for them.

Jumping worms almost look like regular earthworms except for a distinctive white band wrapped around their slimy bodies. Once you see this mark, be sure to distance yourself because these are not safe for you, nor the soil where you plant your crops.

These jumping worms come from Asia and are destructive to gardens and forests. You might think about how this small creature can make such an impact, but this is reality.

At the moment, Jumping worms are spreading across North America, according to Inside Edition.

“Invasive species can really quickly do a number on native species that don’t have defense mechanisms against their invader,” said Brad Herrick, an ecologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. Herrick told Inside Edition Digital, “It’s still early in the invasion, but it’s happening fast.”

While common earthworms are slow in their pace and are not threatening, jumping worms are far creepier and more dangerous. They move very fast and crawl in such a weird manner.

They are quick to “jump” when they come across other species, and this makes it even scarier.

The way they twist so fast is quite unnerving and definitely something that would surprise anybody. As of 2021, the jumping worms can be found in Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

Here’s what you need to remember: kill them when you see them.

These worms bring devastation wherever they go. Once they are done feeding on the soil, that portion of the garden will not be viable for life anymore.

Now, how to find them and get them out of their hiding place is easy. All you need is some mustard powder, mix it with water, then pour it on the soil and wait for about thirty seconds. You will notice that these jumping worms will eventually come out, twisting and snapping very fast which is very creepy to watch.

Jumping worms can reproduce without mating.

That’s a scary thought, right? Something this destructive can even produce more of its species without having to mate. Their eggs look like regular soil and you would not even suspect that what you are looking at are eggs of future garden destroyers.

Knowing what to look for will help in curbing their increase in number. If you see worms with white bands near their heads or a “ring” of white, kill them right away because those are jumping worms.

As of now, there are no viable ways to kill them but you can do something.

“Researchers suggest individuals remove any adult worms they find, place them in a plastic bag, leave them in the sun for at least ten minutes and then throw them away. Experts also suggest that individuals shouldn’t purchase the worms for bait, gardening or composting—and should only buy compost or mulch that has been adequately heated to reduce the spread of egg casings, which do not survive temperatures over 104 degrees Fahrenheit.”

Want to learn more about these worms? Watch the video below to be informed!

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Source: Inside Edition, Smithsonian Magazine