Though the earthworms are known to improve the soil fertility and physical properties that also help in making soil porous and higher yields. But, excessive earthworms especially in kitchen garden causes loss to the vegetable seedlings and other kitchen garden crops. Kindly suggest any organic or non-chemical way to control excessive earthworms in the kitchen garden or cultivable land.
Hello.,common household mustard is an excellent natural worm deterrent, according to Earthworm Watch. Mustard contains an oil called allyl isothiocyanate, an ingredient that makes it taste hot. It irritates the worms' skin and causes discomfort. They will crawl to a different lawn or garden area to escape that feeling, and it will eventually wear off. Simple table mustard will not be hot enough, so try mustard powder instead.
The best way to avoid earthworms and millipedes in the home is through prevention before the warmer seasons begin. Clear away moist mulch from doors, seal door thresholds and cracks and create a 6- to 12-inch gap free of mulch around the sides of the home. This will reduce the warm, dry areas for which they are searching and will give them fewer options for breeding sites. Even if they do get in, they won't reproduce once they are inside; in fact, they'll die shortly after that, as most home environments are too dry for them.
I do have several comments regarding this question:
First - I am not sure that a higher population of earthworms will cause damage or loss to the garden. It may be the high moisture level or the higher levels of organic matter that has created any loss.
Second - While mustard is able to irritate the worms skin so they try to escape, I think this is more likely to result in either massive loss of the population. This would negatively affect the quality of the garden soil. And of course the massive numbers of highly irritated worms, that will either need to die (and stink) or you would have to thoroughly wash them with water to remove the irritant. And too much water could saturate the soil and lead to other problems.
Third - to reduce the population, allowing the soil to dry might help. Also might suggest adding some sand if the organic level is too high and this might also both help with drainage and slow the worm reproduction. Lowering the organic matter content of the soil may have some other benefits.
Lastly - using any chemicals, including mustard, might affect the bacterial nature of the soil in negative ways. So be careful.
I respect the opinion of colleagues here, but I am in agreement with Robert. Earthworms make hollows in the soil, always remove soil particles and their secretions are highly useful for soil chemistry and structure and finally all these actions help the soil to be in a healthy cycle to make a very appropriate bed for plant and tree growing. Last but not least, in my opinion controlling the population of earthworms should be done very cautiously.
Avoid too much application of organic matter and organic manures...in opposite earthworms are farmer friend, they will never be harmful
Earthworms have been considered a key sign of healthy garden soils as they improve soil aeration and nutrient levels and contribute to soil fertility. It is difficult to consider their presence excessive, but, if so, decrease the organic matter falling on the surface - which raises the management question as to why there is so much organic matter.
Thanks all for presenting your opinion on the matter. Actaully, the kitchen garden I have mentioned is facing the problem of excessive earthworms and damaging the seedlings.
Regards
Dear Anil
You ahould consider the soil moisture. Since the soil moisture control is a basic issue and can solve your problem.
Según mi criterio personal, opino que si hay abundancia de lombrices en el suelo significa que es alto en materia orgánica que es el alimento de las lombrices, y ello significa que es un suelo saludable. Pero al margen de ello la forma mas eficaz dé reducir la población de lombrices seria con el uso de aves domesticas como son las gallinas, pavos que les gusta escarbar y comer lombrices de tierra
#Luis FELIPE Bendezu Diaz sir, will you please elaborate it in english language
I suggest it depends on the location of the garden. If the garden is functioning based on irrigation therefore the irrigation capacity should be reduced at it minimum so as to reduce soil humidity and thus discourage the concentration of earthworms in the garden. Secondly, solarisation method should be used, whereby a canopy made open and closed system of the garden to the sun is used. This method is adviseable especially in the dry season in tropical zones and
in the summer season if in the temperate regions.
I soak onion peel in water for few days and then use the water in my garden. Sometimes, I spray detergent mixed water in my backyard garden. These work.
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