Agriculture Officials Warn Of Invasive “Crazy Worm” In Illinois

Don't we have enough invasive pests to worry about in this state already? Do we need or want more? Of course we don't, but we've got them anyway, and so do other states.

Let’s be honest, if you live in Illinois, you’re already used to keeping an eye out for ticks, mosquitoes, and the occasional “what is that thing?” bug in the garage. But now, there’s a new (and oddly unsettling) creepy-crawly getting attention across the country.

The invasive Asian jumping worm.

Agriculture officials in Colorado just issued a fresh warning about the so-called “crazy worm,” and it’s not just their problem, it's ours too. These worms have already been found in Illinois and dozens of other states, and experts say stopping their spread is key.

You'd Think That A Worm Is A Worm, But These Things Are Different

For starters, it doesn’t act like a typical earthworm. When disturbed, it thrashes wildly, almost snake-like, and can even appear to jump. That’s where the nickname comes from.

But the bigger issue isn’t how it moves, it’s what it does to the soil.

Asian jumping worms are aggressive feeders that strip the top layer of soil of nutrients at an alarming rate. Instead of enriching the ground like normal earthworms, they leave behind dry, grainy soil that looks like coffee grounds. That can damage plant roots, hurt lawns and gardens, and even impact forests over time.

The kicker is that they don’t even need a mate to reproduce. These worms can create cocoons on their own, allowing populations to explode quickly and making them incredibly hard to control.

Welcome to spring in the Midwest.

The Jumping Worm Is Not The Only Invasive Species We Have To Deal With In Illinois

We’ve also got the emerald ash borer wiping out ash trees, spotted lanternflies creeping closer, Asian carp making headlines in local waterways, zebra mussels, and feral hogs.

When it comes to the jumping worms, don’t move soil, mulch, or plants from place to place without checking them first, and if you spot something that looks like a hyperactive worm having a meltdown, you might want to take a closer look.