Jumping worms are highly invasive earthworms, that look like our native earthworms, only bigger, and with a very discernable white band, and get their name from their rapid wiggling & jumping when disturbed.
(They are also know as snake worms, which means that I will be
running for the hills when I see them.)
These invasive worms outcompete other earthworms and their castings degrade soil quality, leaving it inhospitable to many native plant species and susceptible to increased erosion. As they are voracious eaters, jumping worms quickly consume the top layer of organic material, making it difficult for plants to remain rooted and allowing nutrients to be washed away by rain.
If you find them in your garden, it is best to take
photos & report to Invasive Species Canada
and they must be destroyed!!!!
Jumping worms have now been reported in Toronto, so it is only a matter
of time before we see them here.
As gardeners, one of the ways to prevent their spread:
avoid sharing plants from other gardens or if you are sharing,
you should remove all soil, directly into a plastic bag, and wash roots,
before transplanting into your garden.
Bag can be left in the sun to ‘solarize’ and kill worms and eggs.