Worm castings owe their pest control capacity to chitinase, an enzyme that breaks down chitin, an integral constituent of insect exoskeletons, fungus cell walls, and nematode eggshells.

Have you noticed small, spiralled heaps on the surface of your lawn in the morning and been left scratching your head? Those ...

Earthworms living in the soil come to the surface to deposit their castings (excrement). They are especially likely to come to the surface when the weather is rainy. (Photo courtesy of John and ...