If you haven’t heard about jumping worms, you soon will. The Northbrook Garden Club is taking a proactive approach to minimize the spread of the worms in our gardens and at our upcoming plant sale. 

We want to inform the public about this invasive species and the damage they can cause.

Jumping worms have been identified in Illinois since 2015, including Cook County, and even earlier in Wisconsin and other states. 

To learn more about jumping worms, click below: (NOTE: Links are to external websites.)

Jumping worms (Amynthas spp.) are native to Asia and are an invasive species. Jumping worms are also known as crazy worms, Alabama jumpers and snake worms. They live near the surface in high densities.  

Jumping worms cause damage in our forests, gardens, nurseries and in our lawns. They change the soil structure and chemistry. 

They can remove 95% of the leaf litter on the forest floor leaving behind grainy balls, like coffee grounds, making the soil bare and clumpy. This leads to damaged roots, plants and trees. 

For more information and to see jumping worms in action, click below: (NOTE: Links are to external websites.)