Pests and Diseases - Symptom Selector

Earthworms

a-z symptom selector

Earthworms

Symptoms

Sticky piles of soil appear on the surface of the lawn.

Cause

Earthworms.

Harm

Worms are brilliant at improving the condition of the soil by pulling down and incorporating organic matter. The tunnels that they make as they wend their way around, provide perfect aeration and drainage tunnels. The annoying bit is the casts that they make which are both unsightly and can be quite slippery. They are particularly annoying if run over by a lawnmower because they smear and become indelibly ingrained in the grass.

Treatment

Organic – the casts can be swept away with a besom broom to disperse the soil so it is unnoticeable.
Chemical – there is no chemical control available. However, earthworms don't like acidic soil and the pH can be slightly raised by using lawn sand regularly.

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