Problems with Worms & Worm Casts in the Lawn
There are about 27 species of worms in the UK but only three create worm casts at the surface of your lawn. These casts are waste soil that has passed through the worm as it moves around. This benefits the soil and lawn by increasing organic breakdown, improving aeration and fertility. They also ‘plug’ their holes with leaves and twigs which can create an unusual landscape with upright leaves sticking up all over the lawn. The point being, a lawn with worms is much healthier and will have fewer problems than a lawn without worms.
The downside, there always is one, is that the cast creates bumps in the turf which, when flattened by the mower are unsightly and a great place for weed seeds to settle and germinate. In fine sports turf they are a major problem but in anything other than an ornamental lawn they should be able to be lived with whilst requiring only minor management.
Quick Guide to Living with Earthworms
Worms are great for the lawn, soil and for attracting wildlife. If you can live with the mess but want to reduce it a little then try these:
- Remove grass clippings whenever you mow
- Do not use organic fertilisers or composts on your lawn
- Try to keep off the lawn during the winter months
- Clear autumn leaves immediately as this attracts worms
- Avoid excessive or unnecessary watering of the lawn in summer
- Keep the late autumn/winter mowing height on the high side
- Brushing worm casts (image) to disperse them helps but only works on dry casts
Quick Guide to Worm Management
Worm killers are now banned as far as you are concerned. This means managing the situation is your only option. Start with all the points above plus:
- Collect worms by applying a dilute mustard solution. This brings the worms to the surface for hand picking. Great if you’re a fisherman or have Koi!
- Alternatively, if you regularly use an acidifier such as Ferrous Sulphate a.k.a. Soluble Iron on the lawn then this will temporarily make the conditions less inviting for the worms. This can be a slow process and best started well before casts appear. There are added benefits to this as the moss doesn’t like the ferrous sulphate and the grass does. You’ll get a greener lawn and fewer muddy casts eventually!
Buy Ferrous Sulphate here
More Pests & Diseases
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Ants and bees are common in the lawn. The ant can be a major problem cutting away grass roots and building ant hills so use ant killer poison and bait traps
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
The grubs live in lawns eating the grass roots. If the infestation is bad enough damage can be caused by birds and animals eating the grubs
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
The Crane Fly or Daddy Long-legs is the adult and the Leather Jacket is the larvae or grub. Only the leather jacket grubs cause damage to your lawn
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
A patchy network of drying brown grass can be resolved by spiking, hollow tine aeration and wetting agents to bring the lawn back to life
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Fairy rings appear in lawns in several ways: as rings of toadstools or mushrooms, as a ring of dead grass often covered in moss or rings of lush green grass
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Fusarium disease is quite a common lawn problem. Treatment and prevention can involve good lawn care practices, fungicides or use of ferrous sulphate
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
If you find Lichens in your lawn it may be time to consider a new lawn or at least a major renovation. Liverworts grow in the shadiest wettest parts of your lawn
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Moles, like other lawns pests can cause serious damage as they search for worms in your lawn. They are tricky to kill so you may need help in ridding the garden
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Of all grass diseases red thread lawn fungus is the most common causing brown patches or a blotchy appearance. The blotches will have a pink colouration
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Rust is a fungal disease noticed as a yellowing of the grass leaves. Mildew often looks like someone has painted the grass leaves white
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
These are usually a sign of a healthy soil though on occasions a crop of toadstools will grow due to an excessive thatch layer or form a fairy ring