Sevin can be detrimental to bees in the dust form, if used improperly. The granules aren't much of a risk to bees, but they will kill a lot of beneficial insects in the lawn too. I have to ask.....why do you think that night crawlers are ruining your lawn?

Thank you for the answer. As to your question: our garden is about ten by ten, pretty small. It's the only grass we have for two young kids who like to tumble and crawl and cartwheel. At this point the bumps have taken over about every square inch. It's hard for the kids to walk on, quite sore in fact, now that the lawn, such as it is, has dried out. And no grass is growing in patches. When I've mown our wee lawn over the years, I've always left the mulched grass on the garden, or brushed it back on, to help fertilize and replenish the soil. In so doing, I think I've bred a lovely area for worms. If infestation were a word applicable to worms, I think it would be appropriate. So, short answer: lawn for crawling kids is like bumpy gravel and grass grows less and less 'full' each year. Thank you again for your answer; suggestions are, of course, very welcome. Best, Andrew

If it's only 10x10, then by all means, put some Sevin granules on it. You might consider fertilizing it as well to keep the grass growing strong. Growing a healthy lawn is a whole seperate topic, so I won't get into that. Make sure to follow the instructions to a tee, because you don't want your kids crawling on insecticides and possibly ingesting the granules. Worms can be flooded out too. If you soak the soil, they come up and you can grab them, which is why you see them on the sidewalk after a heavy rain.

Realistically though, worms are usually a good thing, but excessive worms indicate a lawn that's lacking maintenance. I have a burning suspicion though that it's not the worms making the mounds, but rather some sort of predator that's digging for them, like birds, moles, or even skunks. As mentioned, you'll wanna strengthen up the lawn, and have it rolled if the bumps are that bad.

Joe

Sevin is too toxic to put down where kids play.

Toxicity of Sevin

tj

Have you checked if the worms are regular earthworm or an Alabama jumper (Amynthus gracilus), sometimes also called crazy worm? They are just moving into Wisconsin along a few routes and the Wisconsin DNR is actively monitoring for infestations.

The Alabama jumper doesn't bury into the ground, but rather stays near the top or under/in leaf piles. They wiggle and "jump". Frequently sold as fish bait, and then leftovers get dumped out into nature. They reproduce quickly and can turn a grassy area into a mush pit. Difference to a regular earthworm (most of which are not native either ;p) is they are dry, not slimy and the band (almost white) is raised, not flush with the body.

Hope this helps (and I hope the worms in your yard are not these!)