The Control of Worms in Lawns
Due to the wetter and warmer climate that we have been experiencing during both the summer and winter months, worm casts are becoming more of problems in lawns.
Worms are beneficial in many ways to lawns as they aerate the soil, improve the drainage and break down organic matter.
However the benefits are outweighed by the problems that they cause on fine turf and close mown luxury lawns.
Worms create casts which create muddy conditions; these conditions smother the grass and produce an ideal seed bed for weed seeds.
Worms also encourage moles as worms are the main food source for these creatures.
Conditions that favour worms Worms thrive in a variety of conditions, these are as follows: Wet, humid and warm conditions - As the winters become wetter and milder worms are becoming more of a problem on garden lawns.
Favourable soil types - Worms prefer heavier clay and loam soils which hold more moisture and water and have a higher organic matter content.
Worms are less of a problem in light free draining sandy soils Ideal pH - Worms prefer soils with a high pH that have a high lime content.
High organic matter content - Soils with a high percentage of organic matter or thatch will encourage worms as organic matter is their main food source.
Control of Earthworms Unfortunately for the amateur gardener there are no chemicals available for the control of worms.
Chemical used for the control of worms such as Carbendazim are only available for professional green keepers and grounds men who work in the turf industry.
Therefore the only way to control worms is by cultural methods.
These methods are as follows: Adjust the pH level - If you have a high pH try lowering it to discourage earthworm activity.
This can be done by applying fertilisers, top dressings and other products that have an acidifying effect on the soil.
Regular applications of sulphate of iron or lawn sand may help to reduce worm numbers in the soil.
These products acidify the surface therefore discouraging worms which cannot tolerate acidic conditions.
Reduce the thatch or organic matter content - By reducing the thatch layer (organic matter content) you will be reducing the worms food source.
This will lower the percentage of worms in your soil.
Remove worm casts manually - This is not a control measure but if you remove worm casts regularly with a brush or drag mat will help reduce the smearing to these worm casts.
On heavier soils this needs to be carried out when the casts are dry, to prevent smearing.
Mow at a sensible height - If you raise your lawn mower height of cut during periods of worm activity it will create a thicker lawn and help reduce the smearing of casts.
Worms are beneficial in many ways to lawns as they aerate the soil, improve the drainage and break down organic matter.
However the benefits are outweighed by the problems that they cause on fine turf and close mown luxury lawns.
Worms create casts which create muddy conditions; these conditions smother the grass and produce an ideal seed bed for weed seeds.
Worms also encourage moles as worms are the main food source for these creatures.
Conditions that favour worms Worms thrive in a variety of conditions, these are as follows: Wet, humid and warm conditions - As the winters become wetter and milder worms are becoming more of a problem on garden lawns.
Favourable soil types - Worms prefer heavier clay and loam soils which hold more moisture and water and have a higher organic matter content.
Worms are less of a problem in light free draining sandy soils Ideal pH - Worms prefer soils with a high pH that have a high lime content.
High organic matter content - Soils with a high percentage of organic matter or thatch will encourage worms as organic matter is their main food source.
Control of Earthworms Unfortunately for the amateur gardener there are no chemicals available for the control of worms.
Chemical used for the control of worms such as Carbendazim are only available for professional green keepers and grounds men who work in the turf industry.
Therefore the only way to control worms is by cultural methods.
These methods are as follows: Adjust the pH level - If you have a high pH try lowering it to discourage earthworm activity.
This can be done by applying fertilisers, top dressings and other products that have an acidifying effect on the soil.
Regular applications of sulphate of iron or lawn sand may help to reduce worm numbers in the soil.
These products acidify the surface therefore discouraging worms which cannot tolerate acidic conditions.
Reduce the thatch or organic matter content - By reducing the thatch layer (organic matter content) you will be reducing the worms food source.
This will lower the percentage of worms in your soil.
Remove worm casts manually - This is not a control measure but if you remove worm casts regularly with a brush or drag mat will help reduce the smearing to these worm casts.
On heavier soils this needs to be carried out when the casts are dry, to prevent smearing.
Mow at a sensible height - If you raise your lawn mower height of cut during periods of worm activity it will create a thicker lawn and help reduce the smearing of casts.
Source...