what is the best way besides poison spray to get rid of worms in garden?

Answer 1

Hi, PLEASE DON,T KILL EARTH WORMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The earth needs them. Now there are other worm looking things that might not be so good for your garden, BUT, before you haul out the DDT, please take a sample of the "worm" to your local garden center for a positive I.D. Also the farm bureau, local State University, or Google a picture, just type in earth worm, but, please don't kill earthworms, we need them. Thanks!

Answer 2

If you are talking about earthworms, the things that live under the soil, if you kill those you will destroy your soil and ability of the soil to grow things. Earthworms are extremely good for soil, and if they gross you out, just try not to dig!

As for worm like things on plants, crawling around on leaves, those are not called worms, but are the larvae or babies of various insects. If they are destroying your garden, you can try to control them, but if they aren't doing much damage, just ignore them.

There are many insecticides you can buy, but if you apply insecticide to food crops, you can poison yourself, so read labels and be very, very careful. trying for an alternate to poisons is great. There are assorted products you can find for sale for different type pests, and using a company that sells organic products is the best thing. Try this company: http://www.gardensalive.com/category.asp?c=13

I use some of their products on my garden, and they are a reliable source for organic products.

One product they carry is bt (also btk) and it is used on caterpillars and larvae. It's a bacteria that attacks the larvae.

Get on their mailing list as they have a great catalog with lots of details on garden pests, and once a year they print out pictures of pests and recommended treatments.

You also might check out the garden forums here: http://forums.organicgardening.com/index.jspa?categoryID=1



If you have just a few larvae, put on some gloves and squish the things. Or pick them off and drop them into a little container with water in it. Then throw that away.

Answer 3

Why would you want to get rid of worms in your garden??? They return nutrients the plants take out of the soil. A garden full of worms is a very healthy garden. Many people buy worms to put in their garden, and ladybugs to ward off insects that eat your fruits and vegetables.

Truly! If you get rid of the worms you are harming your gardens productivity.

Answer 4

You don't want to get rid of worms in your garden. Earthworms are very important for the soil. If you don't like them, avoid going out early or late in the day, they'll be back under ground.

Answer 5

Are you serious? Worms make the soil rich for plants to grow. Killing them is the same as killing your plants! Read some good books on gardening.

Answer 6

As earthworms tunnel through the soil, they ingest the soil and digest any organic matter in it. Organic matter is dragged into their burrows and is broken down. Although they are the most numerous in the top 6 inches, they also work in the subsoil, bringing mineral rich soil from below to the surface. This adds to the supply of nutrients available to the plants. Research shows that in 100 sq ft of garden soil, earthworms may bring from 4-8 lbs of dirt to the soil surface each year.

Besides incorporating organic matter to your soil, earthworms are good manufacturers of fertilizer. Castings have a nutrient level and organic matter level much higher than that of the surrounding soil. Each day they produce nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and many micro nutrients in a form that all plants can use. For example, a 200 sq ft garden with a low worm population of only 5 worms/cubic foot will be provided with over 35 lbs (about 1/3 lb per worm) of top-grade fertilizer by the worms, each garden year.

Not only do they produce this fertilizer but spread it thoroughly within the top 12 inches of soil. They may also incorporate it as far down as 6 ft. A soil that is well managed, rich in humus may easily support 25 worms per cubic foot, which translates into at least 175 lbs of fertilizer per year for the same 200 sq ft garden.

This means that your garden or lawn can be supplied with far more fertilizer and that of superior quality than a dry or granular fast-acting chemical fertilizer of 10-20 lbs. In fact, these fertilizers may even repel the earthworms that are present. As the fertilizers become soluble, they may leach down into the soil and force the earthworms to seek refuge elsewhere.

Worms make other contributions, such as adding calcium carbonate, a compound which helps moderate soil pH. Overtime earthworms can help change acid or alkaline soils toward a more neutral pH.

Earthworm tunnels help to aerate and loosen the soil. This allows more oxygen in, which not only helps the plant directly, but also improves conditions for certain beneficial soil bacteria. Finally, the tunnelling of the earthworms provide an access to deeper soil levels for the numerous smaller organisms that contribute to the health of the soil.

In summary, earthworm activity in your soil is beneficial and should be encouraged. They help incorporate organic matter, improve the soil structure, improve water movement through the soil, improve plant root growth and minimize thatch build up in lawns.

Control

Since earthworms are beneficial, control measures are not required. Break up the mounds of soil on your lawn with a rake. To prevent them from entering containers in or on the ground, place a piece of screen over the drainage hole. Setting the containers on a layer of gravel or cinders also keeps earthworms from entering containers since they will not move through such a coarse layer.

To increase the earthworm population

You may want to add earthworms to your soil and would need the variety Lumbricus terrestris, which will survive in garden soil. Others which are sold commercially are adapted to live in the heat of a compost pile and will die if left in the garden. When adding new worms, distribute them around the garden so that there are only a few per sq ft. Dried leaves and other organic materials are their favourite food and need only to be spread on the surface in the spring. They do the rest!

Answer 7

if they are earth worms you don't want to kill them. they help provide better air circulation to the roots when they dig around. but if they are bad worms that eat the leaves and kill your garden then try mixing dish soap and water, spray this on and around your garden.

Answer 8

There is a product called 7 Dust, that is made for gardens, you can get it in powder or liquid form, and it is safe for your garden.

Answer 9

worms in the garden are useful. don't kill them.

Answer 10

what kind of worms?