Because of their slippery bodies, earthworms make some people feel disgusted. The beneficial insects eke out a completely harmless life in the lawn. However, they can also become a nuisance to owners of ornamental gardeners. In this article you can read how earthworms live and what advantages and disadvantages there are for the gardener.

Earthworms aren't just a special treat for birds

This is how earthworms live in the lawn

food

Earthworms feed on organic debris from the top layer of soil such as

  • mushrooms
  • plant remains
  • microorganisms
  • or bacteria

tunnel construction

In order to move around in the ground, earthworms create extensive tunnel systems. Some of these are three meters long and run both horizontally and vertically. When it rains, the corridors are in danger of flooding, so that the animals go to the surface. Because people only see them when it rains, the term earthworm came about.

Identify earthworms in the lawn

Although the animals are mostly underground, they make themselves known by small piles on the lawn. This involves the excavation of the passage systems and excretions. Up to 200 small heaps per square meter are conceivable in an ordinary population.

benefits

  • Earthworms improve the condition of the soil.
  • aeration of the soil
  • Water in deep layers drains faster.
  • Excretions enrich the substrate of the bedding plants with nutrients.
  • Improved lawn growth
  • Attract birds to the garden

disadvantage

  • Unsightly residues of excretions

promote population

In order to specifically increase the occurrence of earthworms in your garden, you should prepare the soil as follows-

  • light substrate
  • loose soil
  • high pH
  • damp earth
  • incorporate organic material (serves as a food source)

It should also be said that earthworms shy away from frost. However, you have no influence on this natural phenomenon.

Control earthworms in the lawn

No matter how useful earthworms are for the garden, the small heaps on a well-tended ornamental lawn look ugly. If you want to banish the beneficial insects from the garden, the following gentle means are available:

  • Remove leaves and grass clippings
  • Collect earthworms manually after a downpour and place them on the compost
  • Aerate the soil so that the animals retreat to the lower soil
  • sprinkle coarse sand on the lawn

Category:

Animals in the garden