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Mum reveals that her garage was visited by 'unwanted guests' after heavy rains
We all expect to find earthworms digging through our garden soil, but seeing them crawling all over our houses—especially in the basement or garage—is a very different story.
Such is the case with this one Aussie mum, who has taken to social media to ask fellow homeowners how to keep unwanted 'guests' from invading her home.
When an Aussie mum disclosed that her garage had been overrun by huge piles of worms, she sparked a bunch of discussions among her fellow members on the popular Facebook group Mums Who Clean.
'Does anyone know how to deter worms from coming into my garage after it rains?' the woman wrote in her post.
Her query was accompanied by an image that shows the mound of slippery worms that have gathered at the entrance of her garage, probably in search of safety from the heavy rains.
An Aussie mum was surprised to find a lot of 'unwanted' guests in her garage. Credit: Facebook.
Concerns were voiced by members of the group regarding the well-being of the worms, as well as suggestions regarding what should be done with them and potential explanations for their appearance.
Some people suggested using them as food for chickens or as bait for fishing, while others told the mum not to hurt them because they were just trying to get out of the rain.
'You can collect them in a bucket and relocate them,' wrote one of the commenters, while another said, 'Maybe dig a little hole for them in your yard.'
To stop the little creatures from looking for space away from wet soil, a few others advised improving the drainage in the area.
Earthworms usually avoid places that aren't soil, but when it rains a lot, the ground gets so wet that the worms' burrows fill with water, which could drown or suffocate them.
When this happens, worms will move to higher, drier ground.
What should you do with them?
If you see earthworms in or around your home, scoop them up and pop them in your garden. Earthworms are beneficial to gardens because they aerate the soil and produce waste that is rich in nutrients that plants may use.
They are incredibly efficient fertilisers, and you don't have to spend any money on them! It would be a shame to throw them away, wouldn't it?
Home gardens can benefit tremendously from the addition of earthworms. Credit: Homesteading.
The best way to deal with earthworms in your home is to prevent their entry in the first place. Here are some tips:
Keep damp areas of the house dry.
Worms are drawn to damp environments, much like mould. They do best in places that are warm and wet, such as bathrooms and basements.
If the moisture level in your home is high enough to entice them even on days when it hasn't rained, you should consider purchasing a dehumidifier for the areas of your home that are the dampest.
Check for any unwanted holes.
It is also a good idea to look for holes in the walls, windows, and baseboards/skirting boards that worms or other bugs could use to get in. Any drainage-related holes should be left alone, but any other unanticipated gaps should be covered or otherwise sealed shut.
Change the pH of the soil.
Worms tend to avoid soils that are high in acidity. Iron sulphate, which you can buy at most lawn and garden stores, will keep your soil on the acidic side if you put it on every 8 to 10 weeks. The acidity that is produced will be effective in driving them away.
Leave them be.
Despite what you may have read about getting rid of and avoiding worms, it may be best just to let them be.
Even though they might be a little hard to deal with and maybe even a little gross to look at, the good they do far outweighs the bad.
Your garden will benefit, both in terms of its overall health and its aesthetic appeal, from the presence of earthworms.
So, rather than attempting to manage them, take a seat and relax a bit. Get outside and see your plants blooming, and marvel at the beauty of your lawn as a result of the hard work of these little critters.
So there you have it, folks! Really, there is no need for concern or fear if a bunch of worms start to appear around your house. In fact, you could consider this as evidence of a vibrant and healthy environment around you!
Maybe these little guys are trying to tell you that you should grow a few more plants here and there, eh?
