Are Worms Pests?
If you’re looking for a quick yes or no answer, the answer is…no, worms for the most part are not considered pests. Instead, worms are very beneficial when in they remain in the right areas. Given that worms are essentially tiny recycling factories that digest nutrients and other decomposing bits within soil, they also aerate that soil as they work their way through, allowing oxygen and water to better reach deep within the soil to encourage natural growth of plants and other life in the area. In addition, worms are part of the natural food chain which they promote a thriving ecosystem all around. Without worms, studies have shown soil is far less accessible to plant life and the plant life that does manage to grow does so at a less than optimal health level.
When Are Worms Considered Pests?
As we said earlier, for the most part, worms are not pests. So in what way could they be considered pests then? The answer has to do primarily with where they’re located, in what numbers and the type of worm they are. Worms can and often do encroach into areas where their numbers, if large enough, actually strip too much nutrients from the soil, plant roots and even the plants themselves in some cases which can cause nearby plants and the plants directly fed on to perish.
The type of worm also matters as some choose to primarily feast on plant and crops that directly hinder their growth and lifespan. Luckily these types of worms can usually be easily identified and cleared out through various methods from pesticide use (as a last resort) to using other bugs or animal species to combat them.
Getting Rid Of Worms
The good news when it comes to dealing with any undesirable worm population is that they can be relatively easy to get rid of once their presence and location is known. Simply churning the top soil for example, is enough to seriously hinder the capability of worm eggs and larvae from reaching adulthood where they will do most of their damage and reproduction. For large crop fields, crop rotation will confuse worm populations and cut off their ability to feed on their desired food sources, though with larger crop fields, specialized pest control for worms is the way to go to ensure maximum efficiency and safety.
Another alternative solution no matter the size of the property is using other species to fight back invasive worm populations. Birds can be encouraged to feed on worm populations, larvae and eggs by spreading bird seed around, as well as putting up both bird feeders and birdhouses. Insecticide can also be spread in a preventative covering around the property to help prevent invasive species from encroaching further inward though this will need to be reapplied to continue full effectiveness through rains and over time. There are even other insects that can be introduced to the area that wont harm the crops or other plant life around but will attack and ward of worm populations.
And of course, should a more hands off approach be desired, the professionally trained pest techs here at Fenix Pest Control, Inc. are here to help day and night all year long no matter the season. With service locations in Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska and Florida, we’re ready to serve with state of the art equipment and training, no matter the pest! Call your local branch today and be pest free by tomorrow!
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