PORTAGE COUNTY, WI (WSAU) — A new invasive species has been found in Portage County. Jumping worms have made their way into the county and are damaging plants.
Denise Rocha is part of the support staff with the Portage County UW-Extension. She explains what kind of damage these worms can have on the soil.
She said, “They eat the top of the soil components where the nutrients and leaf dropping and things like that are. Then what they leave behind is a very grainy soil, kind of like coffee grounds, that is very difficult for plants to germinate and grow in.”
Rocha says the most common way these worms are spread is through vine plants.
“Either at plant sales or at their local markets,” said Rocha, “The eggs, because they’re microscopic, they can’t be seen. So, likely they’re transplanted from one type of plant to another.”
Rocha says the worms will become a real problem if they make thier way up to the Northwoods. She says the worms could damage the ecosystem in the forests. Rocha compares the worms to Emerald Ash Borer, saying you should not replant plants in the Northwoods, same as people have been advised against moving wood from county to county.
The DNR is asking those who do find jumping worms to let them know by emailing them at invasive.species@wi.gov.
