Expert: Richard Clark - 6/9/2009

Question
On my daily walks, after recent soaking rains, if find dozens of earth worms in various stages of dry on the sidewalks.Since it's not always beneath trees, I wonder where they come from. and why. If they are not too far gone I pick them up and toss them into the lawns. Does this help them?Thanks

Answer
H.D.
Earth worms like moist soil, and need moist soil to breath. When they think it is too wet they crawl up to vacate the wet soil so they can breath. Sometimes even on the sidewalk it is too wet and they drown. When you toss them on the lawn they can lay there and when they think the soil has dried out, will then go back underground. By leaving them on the sidewalk birds will find them and make a meal out of them.
Have a good day,
Richard