Do earthworms threaten soils and plants?

Much depends on what species of earthworms and what geographical area we're talking about. Ameesh nicely discussed some of the negative effects earthworms can have and I'll just elaborate a bit more. read more

Earthworms benefit the soil in many ways, primarily due to the physical and chemical effects of their casts and burrows. Earthworm casts, consisting of waste excreted after feeding, are composed mostly of soil mixed with digested plant residues. read more

Loosening the soil also makes it easier for water to penetrate deep into the soil, ensuring there is enough moisture in the soil to support the plants and encourage deeper root growth. Mixing Soil Though most earthworms stay within the top 6 to 8 inches of soil, some worms burrow as deep as 5 or 6 feet. read more

Earthworms dramatically alter soil structure, water movement, nutrient dynamics, and plant growth. They are not essential to all healthy soil systems, but their presence is usually an indicator of a healthy system. read more

Regular earthworms won’t do that, and unless your soil is extremely compacted, and the water just sits on it when you water it, the worms are very unlikely to start crawling to the surface, just because you watered it. read more