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Jumping worms and mulch #754986

Asked June 09, 2021, 9:47 AM EDT

I had heard not to buy mulch from big box stores because of the potential for jumping worms. I want to buy pine bark mulch. If I bought the mulch and stored it in the garage on the cement floor for a period of time, can I assume any potential worms would die and the mulch would be safe to use? Thank you for your assistance.

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for the question.

Unfortunately there is no good answer to it, however. There is still much that is yet unknown regarding the threat posed by jumping worms and especially their eggs in mulch. Just storing mulch on a cement floor is no guarantee that it will kill any worms and/or eggs if present. Look for mulch that has undergone a heat treatment. Normally this means a temperature of at least 100 degrees or higher for a minimum of 30 minutes. Some gardeners have achieved this by putting mulch under clear plastic and leaving it on a driveway or walkway in direct sunlight. Be sure to inspect your mulch for the presence of any worms. The following will give you further information on these and related points:

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/2020/08/31/beware-jumping-worms-soil-gardening-mulch

https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/jumping-worms - controlling-jumping-worms-1883162

https://northerngardener.org/update-on-jumping-worms-in-minnesota/

https://blog-yard-garden-news.extension.umn.edu/2020/02/ask-extension-how-to-get-rid-of-asian.html

Good Luck

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 11, 2021, 9:31 AM EDT
Good information, Thank you so much 
On Fri, Jun 11, 2021 at 8:31 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 11, 2021, 11:19 AM EDT

Glad to have been of assistance.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 11, 2021, 11:36 AM EDT

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