Managing Earthworms in Urban Garden & Pet Areas

Question: Fat, worm-like creatures (over 1 inch long, ¼ inch wide) are crawling onto my patio and into feral cats' food bowls in my paved city garden. The cats avoid the bowls. I have no lawn—just raised beds and pavement. How can I identify and deter these worms?

Answer: Identification First, Then Management

Critical step: Confirm whether these are actually earthworms or another organism (e.g., beetle larvae, flatworms). Earthworms rarely invade paved areas or pet bowls in large numbers.

How to Identify

• Photograph with a coin (penny) for scale; ensure high resolution and focus
• Email photos to svantassel2@unl.edu
• Or take a live sample to your local extension office or garden center

Immediate Pet-Feeding Advice

Regardless of the worm ID, stop feeding pets outdoors. This attracts skunks, raccoons, rats, and other wildlife. Since these are semi-feral cats, remove food bowls immediately after feeding and store indoors.

If Confirmed as Earthworms

They likely emerge from saturated soil after rain. Improve drainage around beds; reduce watering. No chemical controls are recommended—earthworms are beneficial. Physical barriers (copper tape, diatomaceous earth) may deter them from crossing onto pavement.