Is there something wrong with just submerging the pots to get the worms to come up and out? It can't be any more "overwatering" than a constant flush after the soap. And all that soap just makes the soil hold more water.....

I have several 5,7 and 10 gallon pots and I don't really have anyway to submerge them. I suppose I could try a trash can but then I am not sure I would be able to fish it out once the pot is water-logged. I am hoping that, in the long-term, I can find a way to make the potted plants less hospitable to worms. It really is strange - I have had potted plants for decades but it has only been for the past 3 years or so that I have run into this problem. It makes me wonder if it wasn't due to the soil I purchased....

I agree that coffee filters break down; too rapidly, making more work in having to repot. I've had a roll of weed/landscape cloth for a few years now, and cut a narrow length off, then again into squares, which I use to put over the pot's drainage hole. This prevents insects entering the pot that way. but, I am so envious -- would love to have some earthworms. I've hardly ever seen one in my flower beds and neither have a lot of my gardening friends. We have very sandy "soil" in our part of Florida. Even though I amend it as much as possible, that's why I do a lot of container gardening.