Small Worms in Garden Soil

Different small worms can be found in garden soil.

Garden worms come in many different sizes. Sometimes the variation in size is due to the age of the worm, and sometimes it is due to the type. In some cases, what looks like small garden worms may actually be something else altogether.

Red Worms

Red worms (Eisenia foetida) are often found living in garden soil and compost heaps. These worms normally don't get any longer than about 3 inches. Young worms are so small they look like little bits of thread.

Red Wigglers

There are two main types of reddish-colored worms that are common in gardens in the United States: red worms (Eisenia foetida) and red wigglers (Lumbricus rubellus). Red wigglers range from very small to about 2 ½ inches in length.

Root Maggots

Root maggots are small white maggots that live in the soil and damage root crops such as potatoes and carrots. These tiny worm-like creatures grow to about ¼ inch long and may also attack such plants as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli.

References

• Pontiac High School: The Earthworm Farm
• Goliad Farms: Lumbricus Rubellus, Litter (Red) Worm
• Gardening Know How: Identifying Root Maggots and Control of Root Maggots