Q. Our Bermudagrass lawn is covered with little
“mounds” of dirt. Something is digging in or digging out of the dirt
and I suspect it can’t be good!
Grubs? What do I do?
“mounds” of dirt. Something is digging in or digging out of the dirt
and I suspect it can’t be good!
Grubs? What do I do?
 |
| Mounds of dirt created by earthworms in a lawn |
A. These mounds appear in
lawns after a long rain or if the soil has been flooded. Those mounds of dirt
are excavations from earthworms. Earthworms move to the soil surface when they
can’t get enough air, leaving behind little piles of dirt. We also see it in
soils that are compacted for the same reason.
lawns after a long rain or if the soil has been flooded. Those mounds of dirt
are excavations from earthworms. Earthworms move to the soil surface when they
can’t get enough air, leaving behind little piles of dirt. We also see it in
soils that are compacted for the same reason.
 |
| earthworm channel |
There are many earthworms in our soils particularly where
plants are growing. They provide a lot of benefit to the soil and recycle
nutrients from decaying plants and very small animals like insects. They also
create air and water channels in the soil.
plants are growing. They provide a lot of benefit to the soil and recycle
nutrients from decaying plants and very small animals like insects. They also
create air and water channels in the soil.
Earthworms do not like to be exposed but they will come
to the surface if they can’t get the air that they need. The only way they do
that is by digging these channels to the open air. In some parts of the country
earthworm populations are so dense they create problems when they surface,
leaving behind the piles of dirt you’re seeing. In cases like these, people are
more likely to ask how to get rid of earthworms.
to the surface if they can’t get the air that they need. The only way they do
that is by digging these channels to the open air. In some parts of the country
earthworm populations are so dense they create problems when they surface,
leaving behind the piles of dirt you’re seeing. In cases like these, people are
more likely to ask how to get rid of earthworms.
In your case, don’t worry about it. It’s a good sign.
These mounds will disappear after a few more things. If the problem persists
and it does bother you, aerate the lawn with a commercial core aerifier and
dethatch it.
These mounds will disappear after a few more things. If the problem persists
and it does bother you, aerate the lawn with a commercial core aerifier and
dethatch it.