Worms tend to make the soil rich by eating the organisms under it and creating holes for air. However, it also begs the question of whether they destroy the ground. Such is the problem faced by those who grow and maintain lawns.
So, you may ask: Do worms and earthworms eat grass? Yes, worms and earthworms do eat grass, but it’s not the turn they eat. Instead, they consume the thatch layer below. Earthworms work and continuously eat to decompose and reduce it. Worms also swallow the soil beneath and feed on microorganisms. In a way, they help the earth be healthier.
Many farmers and gardeners favor worms due to the benefits it gives to both plants and soil. However, do worms do the same favors for those who maintain lawns and grass?
Let’s find out!
Contents
Can worms and earthworms eat grass?
Worms and earthworms can eat grass, but it’s not the turf but the thatch layer below. They continuously work to decompose and reduce it.
As worms and earthworms burrow, they also swallow the soil. They feed on microorganisms and organic material in them.
Earthworms excrete their waste as they finish digesting. The waste is what we call castings, and it’s rich in nutrients.
For this reason, you shouldn’t worry about worms destroying your lawn, as they only eat the thatch. Still, an excessive number of worms can also bring damage.
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How fast can worms eat and recycle grass?
The answer to this question depends on the kind and the number of worms that will eat and recycle grass.
In general, it will take around 2 million worms to recycle and convert about 1000 kg of grass per month. Moreover, they will need approximately 200 square meters of space.
It’s quite a lot of worms, but given the amount of grass they can recycle, that’s not bad.
Do worms eat grass clippings?
Worms do eat grass clippings, and you can add it if ever you are raising a worm farm.
Worms can eat many things, and it includes grass clippings and even deciduous leaves.
For this reason, you can add it as food along with food scraps and dry waste. Still, always make sure you keep everything in balance.
Another thing to note is to avoid adding fresh lawn clippings, evergreen, native leaves, and sticks or woody stems.
Do worms eat dead grass?
Worms eat a variety of organic materials, and one of these is dead grass. Further, they can also eat leaves that have fallen from trees.
Such organisms provide various algae, fungi, and bacteria that are essential for worms.
Thus, worms that live deeper under the ground usually eat nothing but raw dirt and try to get nutrients.
For this reason, it’s a great idea to use dead grass for worms to eat. It will also help you recycle while resulting in multiple castings to make your soil rich.
Do worms eat dandelions?
It’s entirely unheard of for worms to eat dandelions. However, it’s possible for them, especially if the plant started to wilt and fall to the ground.
Worms can eat many things, and it includes grass clippings and even deciduous leaves. Thus, it won’t be surprising to see them eat dead plants like dandelions.
For this reason, you can add it as food along with food scraps and dry waste. Still, always make sure you keep everything in balance.
The things to avoid are fresh lawn clippings, evergreen, native leaves, and sticks or woody stems.
Are earthworms and worms bad for grass?
In general, worms and earthworms don’t turn out to be harmful to grass.
Further, earthworms can be just as good for your lawn as it is for your garden. If they live on your property, they usually do the same functions of getting the turf rather than the dedicated compost pile.
Still, they do something beneficial, such as adding organic material. Moreover, worms also add tunnels that give way for air to pass, eventually resulting in a healthy soil structure.
Still, be mindful and watch out for the number of worms. While they can be beneficial, they can turn into a disaster if they grow in number.
Can worms destroy a lawn?
While worms prove themselves beneficial for plants and soil, it’s still possible for them to destroy a lawn.
The mounds made by worms are rich in nutrients. While these things can benefit many plants, they can destroy your lawn.
For instance, worm castings in your lawn can cause an issue. They can make the turf lumpy and uneven. Moreover, the grass around it can turn yellow, eventually dying.
The reason is that the extreme concentration of nutrients in the casting can burn the grass.
For this reason, always be observant of the number of worms in your lawn if you want to preserve it.
How to get rid of worms in your lawn
Although worms are beneficial most times, there are still instances when getting rid of them is better.
Earthworm removal isn’t a complicated task. It is doable with an electric device.
Earthworm removal probes send a mild electrical current into the soil. This current drives the worms up the surface.
Thus, you won’t need to dig up the soil just to get rid of the worms.
Summary
Worms are beneficial in most plants and soil. Thus, they can be the same when it comes to lawn or grass. Still, it’s not something you can set aside, as they can also cause damage.
Such incidents can happen when the worms become overpopulated in a particular area where your lawns grow.
In general, worms can transform your soil into a healthier kind. Still, be observant and try to control the worms from growing their population.
Resources
Image credits – Canva
