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Thanks to the half - moon shape of their heads , hammerhead worms are known by many name , including dunderhead flatworm , arrowhead platyhelminth , and broadhead planaria ( a class of flathead worms ) . knight a “ toxic terrestrial flatworm , ” the lunkhead worm is a carnivorous land planarian known to prey on earthworms , slugs , worm larva , and other dumbass worms . Because they feed voraciously on earthworms , which are critical for their role in aerating and fertilize soil , hammerhead worm are believe a threatening trespassing species .
aboriginal to Southeast Asia , hammerhead worms have been ground in legion contribution of the United States since the early 1900s and have become invasive around the world . In fact , they’verecently been spottedinvading the D.C. area and New York State Department . However , their need for high-pitched humidness restricts them mostly to tropic and subtropic regions . They opt cool , damp habitats , and because they are wanton - raw , they feed at Nox .
Photo: istockphoto.com
harmonize to Michael Skvarla , Ph.D. , adjunct research prof of arthropod designation atPennsylvania State University , “ Bipalium adventitiumhas the widest range and fall out as far north as Ontario . Bipalium vagumis found primarily in the Southeast and only occurs in greenhouses and other protect structures in the Northeast , as they ca n’t survive out-of-door wintertime temperature . ”
What do hammerhead worms look like?
Like the hammerhead shark , the numskull worm get its moniker from its typical spade - shaped head . It has a foresighted , flattened physical structure that ranges from 8 to 15 in , and it can be found in shades of gray , brownish , gold , and green . The worm release a strong neurotoxin , tetrodotoxin , which it uses to block its prey and deter predators . The noxious chemical it releases can cause skin aggravation in people and trigger nausea in animals who consume the worms , although that ’s highly unlikely , concord to Skvarla ( more on this below ) .
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Before You Begin
Because loggerhead worms consume good worms , secrete toxicant toxin , and communicate harmful nematode parasites , they should be absent whenever get . forethought should be taken to fend off reach them .
Are hammerhead worms dangerous?
While blockhead worms may seem like roughshod creatures with their singular visual aspect , if they start making themselves at home on your property , there ’s no need to panic just yet .
According to Michael Skvarla , adjunct research prof of arthropod recognition at Pennsylvania State University , “ the concern about hammerhead worm tetrodotoxin is exaggerated . Yes , some specie have been reported to have tetrodotoxin , which is an extremely potent toxicant . But they are incapable of injecting it into masses and are extremely distasteful , so favourite and small nipper are improbable to eat them . ”
In fact , according to Skvarla , there have been no report grammatical case of people or PET being sicken through contact or intake of these worms . “ The only advice I give citizenry is that you should either deal them with baseball glove or wash off your workforce before touch your eyes or oral fissure if you do by them without mitt , ” Skvarla says .
Photo:Bipalium adventitium/Sanjay Acharya via Wikimedia Commons
Ridding Your Property of Hammerhead Worms
Step 1:Conduct an inspection.
Like the earthworms they devour , “ hammerhead worms are typically found in dampish environments : along watercourse banking concern , under rocks , Harlan Fiske Stone , logs , or Bush , ” Skvarla explains . Like their prey , they often seem on top of the dirt after a rain .
“ They do n’t burrow per se , but will jiggle through loose dirt , ” Skvarla says . The louse ’s invisible nut hide in flora or debris and are encased in a cocoon . These then are inadvertently distributed by landscaper , garden center , and other retailer . With no known naturalpredators , the worms disseminate quickly .
Step 2: See a worm? Snap a photo.
You may enquire , “ Should I wipe out hammerhead worms ? ” Yes , but first take a exposure and station it to your local cooperative annexe religious service or , if you live in Texas , to theTexas Invasive Species Institute . There is no formal reportage organization in most sphere , but these chemical group , some state agricultural department , and theNational Invasive Species Information Centerprovide resources and study and pass over the undesirable worm . The worms can potentially threaten crop and ecosystems .
Step 3: Collect worms in a sealable container.
If you find a bonehead dirt ball in your garden , capture it in a sealable fictile dish or some other sealable container like a chalk jar with a hat . Most sources advise tossing the sealed container into the trash once you ’ve enamour the worm . Placing the worms in a container see they wo n’t be able to get away and makes it easier to apply a solution to bolt down them .
“ They ’re generally boring and will ball up if vex , ” says Skvarla . “ you may just pick them up , ” he says . Do n’t tinge a bonehead worm with your hands , however ; apply a joystick , gloves , or paper towel to commit it into the container . If you do touch it , be indisputable to wash and disinfect your hands immediately afterward .
Step 4: Add salt or vinegar to the container.
use salt and/or texture acetum concentrate to the hammerhead worms in the bag , seal off the suitcase , and place it in the freezer for 48 hours to see that the louse has dissolved . Soapy water , neem oil , citrus oil , boric window pane , or pesticides may also work .
Do not cut the worm into spell . Each section can regenerate into a to the full develop insect within a few week . One of the ways some reproduce is by asexual fragmentation , so you could compound the problem if you cut up the worm in an attack to kill it .
Step 5: Discard the dissolved worms.
After a hammerhead shark dirt ball has been sealed in a plastic grip , treated with salt ( or a combining of saltiness and vinegar ) , and rate in the Deepfreeze for 48 hours , the Texas Invasive Species Institute recommend toss out the still - sealed baggie in the deoxyephedrine .
Step 6: Keep an eye out for additional worms, and repeat Steps 3 through 5 as needed.
If you have found one hammerhead worm , there are probably more , so remain vigilant . Examine your garden , particularly in the early sunrise after a rainfall when they ’re likely to be easily found on the surface .
Be certain to take a photo to get off along to the appropriate local reporting mathematical group , then collect , kill , and immobilise the worm before you dispose of them as discover above . Because they release toxins , it ’s imperative that you care the worms decently , and since some can regurgitate by division , insure that they are completely dead before cast aside them . Keep them away by regularly looking for and pull off the worm throughout the spring and summertime .
Final Thoughts
It ’s important to keep an middle out for these invasive , toxic worms . The slimy predators threaten red worm , which are lively to our ecosystem because they help disintegrate constitutive matter and contain ground amendment . jazz how to name and correctly kill and dispose of these nuisance worm will assist keep your garden , and local wildlife , safe and healthy .
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Photo:Bipalium vagum/Dominique Martiré via Wikimedia Commons
Photo:Bipalium vagum/Dominique Martiré via Wikimedia Commons
Photo:Bipalium vagum/Sébastien Sant via Wikimedia Commons
