<div dir="ltr"><div>Hi neighbors,</div><div><br></div><div>As you take a break from swatting the spotted lanternfly moths that are now everywhere (tip -- unlike the nymphs, the adult moths seem to only jump forward so approach towards the head) I wanted to make sure everyone knew about another invasive species that now seems to be everywhere. </div><div><br></div><div><div><a href="https://pvdeye.org/the-worms-you-dont-want-to-see-in-your-garden/">https://pvdeye.org/the-worms-you-dont-want-to-see-in-your-garden/</a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I've noticed these worms in my yard for years. I think it was after a delivery of wood chip mulch. I was actually happy because I thought I had unusually vigorous and healthy earthworms (they thrash around wildly). They had a type of banding I had never noticed before, but it didn't occur to me that this was weird. I've also simultaneously been watching my trees, vegetables, and other plants languishing more and more despite lots of compost and all the right things. I assumed I was a shitty gardener. </div><div><br></div><div>These worms look very much like earthworms, but don't behave like them. They thrash, they have a white/grey band near the head, and a visible mouth. They consume organic matter at an alarming rate, deplete the soil of nutrients and topsoil, ruin the soil structure so it ends up a dry crumble no matter how much water it gets. Compost and other organic matter just feeds them. If you know anything about soil, you will please take this seriously and do what you can to both eradicate those you might have and not spread them. </div><div><br></div><div>The article above has links to other resources. </div><div><br></div><div>Ellen, Mayflower St</div><div><br></div><br><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr">Ellen Santaniello
<div><a value="+14013163226">401-316-3226</a></div>
<div><a href="mailto:esantaniello@gmail.com" target="_blank">esantaniello@gmail.com</a></div>
<div><a href="http://www.ellensantaniello.com/" target="_blank">www.ellensantaniello.com</a></div><br><br></div></div></div></div></div>