{"id":281300,"date":"2026-04-23T02:12:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T02:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/281300\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T02:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T02:12:08","slug":"asian-jumping-worms-found-in-california-officials-issue-warning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/281300\/","title":{"rendered":"Asian jumping worms found in California, officials issue warning"},"content":{"rendered":"

A destructive, fast-moving invader <\/a>is wriggling its way into yards across the US, and officials say Californians should be on alert.<\/p>\n

Agriculture authorities are sounding the alarm over the Asian jumping worm, a highly invasive species that\u2019s already been spotted in multiple states<\/a>, including the Golden State.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe jumping worms\u2019 hyper-activity degrades the soil structure, can harm plant roots and accelerate soil drying. This creates a \u2018nutrient-poor paradox\u2019 where nutrients are present but unavailable to plants. This can further exacerbate drought conditions, which the state is already in,\u201d the Colorado Department of Agriculture said in a press release.<\/p>\n

A destructive, fast-moving invader is wriggling its way into yards across the US, and officials say Californians should be on alert. FOX 2 St. Louis<\/p>\n

Agriculture authorities are sounding the alarm over the Asian jumping worm, a highly invasive species that\u2019s already been spotted in multiple states, including the Golden State. FOX 2 St. Louis<\/p>\n

The worms are easy to spot, and hard to forget.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re smooth, dark gray or brown, with a distinctive flat, milky-white band circling their bodies near the head.<\/p>\n

Bridging the gap between a gardener\u2019s nightmare and a Klingon\u2019s dream<\/a>, reports indicate that the invasive Asian jumping worm can flip its body a foot into the air, a violent thrashing behavior that perfectly mirrors the legendary Star Trek delicacy, Gagh<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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They also have a bizarre escape tactic, if grabbed by the tail, they can snap it off to get away.<\/p>\n

Even more alarming is how quickly they multiply.<\/p>\n

The species reproduces without mating, meaning every worm is capable of producing offspring on its own.<\/p>\n

Bridging the gap between a gardener\u2019s nightmare and a Klingon\u2019s dream, reports indicate that the invasive Asian jumping worm can flip its body a foot into the air \u00a9Paramount\/Courtesy Everett Collection<\/p>\n

The worms have a violent thrashing behavior that perfectly mirrors the legendary Star Trek delicacy, Gagh. These Are The Voyages | Star Trek Creative Channel<\/p>\n

Experts warn that just one worm, or even a tiny cocoon hidden in soil or mulch, can trigger a full-blown infestation in a new location.<\/p>\n

Beyond wrecking soil, the worms may also pose a threat to wildlife. <\/p>\n

Researchers have found they can be toxic to certain native birds and salamanders, disrupting local ecosystems and stripping away key food sources.<\/p>\n

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With no reliable way to eliminate them once established, officials are urging residents to focus on prevention.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not try to control jumping worms with pesticides<\/a>. There are currently no registered pesticide products for this pest,\u201d according to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. \u201cUsing pesticide products not intended or labeled\u00a0for the jumping worm is illegal and can kill beneficial earthworms and cause harm to the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Officials say you should carefully inspect any materials or soil brought into gardens.<\/p>\n

Buyers are also advised to choose bare-root plants when possible and confirm that bulk mulch or compost has been heat-treated to at least 130\u00b0F for three days to destroy hidden cocoons.<\/p>\n

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