08/04/2026
Asian Jumping Worms have been identified in Sonoma County since 2023.
Physical Appearance
Clitellum (Band): Milky-white to light gray, smooth, flush with the body skin, and wraps all the way around the worm.
Size & Color: Grow 1.5 to 8 inches long; skin is dark gray or bronze with an iridescent or metallic sheen.
Texture: Smooth and glossy, but less slimy than common European earthworms.
Behavior and Movement
Thrashing: Flail, jump, and writhe violently from side to side when handled.
Tail Loss: Can break off a piece of their tail to get away from a threat.
Location: Stay mostly in the top couple of inches of soil and leaf litter rather than digging deep tunnels.
Soil Clues
Castings: Leave behind tiny, grainy, dry waste droppings that look exactly like used coffee grounds
*What if you find jumping worms?
If you discover jumping worms, contact CDFA of your local agricultural commissioner’s office to report the finding. If the CDFA confirms the worms are jumping worms, work with them to focus on preventing the spread of the worm. Don’t move materials such as compost, mulch, topsoil, or plants known to have jumping worms to new locations. Always clean dirt and debris off your equipment and shoes before leaving an area infested with jumping worms. Dispose of all contaminated soil and castings in the trash.
Kill worms by freezing or leaving them in a plastic bag out in the sun, then discarding. Jumping worms and their cocoons are unable
to survive temperatures above 40°C (104°F). Increasing soil temperatures above this threshold for three days through soil solarization is one way to manage jumping worm populations. Be aware that re-infestation of the area may occur due to cocoon presence in areas beyond the treatment zone. Soil used for potting can be temporarily placed in plastic bins and exposed to direct
sunlight.
Do not try to control jumping worms with pesticides. There are currently no registered pesticide products for this pest. Using pesticide products not intended or labelled for the jumping worm is illegal and can kill beneficial earthworms and cause harm
to the environment. (* sourced from UCIPM)
