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Earthworms are beneficial invertebrates to have in your garden soil. They derive their nutrition from many forms of organic matter in soil, things like decaying roots and leaves, and living organisms such as nematodes, protozoans, rotifers, bacteria, fungi.

They will also feed on the decomposing remains of other animals. They can consume, in just one day, up to one-third of their own body weight. The waste of worms enriches the soil, and the way they consume and have soil pass through their body aerates the soil.

Earthworms respire through the skin and require moist conditions to do so. During heavy precipitation they will come to the surface to breathe easier, which is why you may see many worms wandering when it rains.