Now We Have Jumping Worms

Worms.   Seriously, what else can happen this year.  I was saying that it's been the year of nothing. But now it seems that it's the year of horrible, and now even gross things.

First, the COVID-19 pandemic.  Next the Murder Hornets (I still haven't see those things, however), Hurricanes in the South, and now, in Minnesota, we have jumping worms.  Worms jump?  I had no idea.  Most of the worms I see are after a rain, and they can't find their way back to the earth and wind up cooked to the sidewalk and streets.

But anyway, yes, now we  have jumping worms.  Add these to the other crazy things that threaten the ecosystem.  Along with Zebra Mussels, Emerald Ash borers, Buckthorn (I didn't know that was  an ecosystem threat), Eurasian milfoil, and now add the jumping worms.

What exactly is the issue with the jumping worms?  Well, apparently they can degrade soils along with damaging garden plants and lawns.  Hey, maybe that's why my lawn  has had some issues this year.

These worms get their name because they actually move quickly almost slithering like a snake and are pretty aggressive.  I hadn't heard of an aggressive worm before, but here ya go!  What exactly happens?  Lee Frelich, director of the center for forest ecology at the University of Minnesota, had this to say:

“Here you have an invader that can literally destroy the soil. So it's a whole different category of invasive species that can alter the ecosystem at its most fundamental,”

He also advises that anything you use as bait should be thrown in the garbage if you don't use all of it.

There have been some issues at some areas at some popular areas in Minnesota too.  You find those areas here.