PSA: Hammerhead Worms

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Hey everybody!

This is just a quick announcement for those who have not encountered or identified hammerhead flatworms. Specifically for gardeners, these worms are VERY bad for the soil. They are highly invasive as they absolutely decimate earthworm populations. I actually just found out about these today as I found one outside and it completely freaked me out. Very hectic morning with my mom insisting it’s a snake (she thinks everything that is long and slithery is a snake :joy:) and me thinking I have discovered a new species…

In reality, it is a rather new species in the US (after doing some research) especially in places like Georgia. Here are a few pictures:

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Watch out for these!!

Stay safe,
AllGoodNamesRGone

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Most earthworms in Northern North America were invaders…

https://ecosystemsontheedge.org/earthworm-invaders/

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I’ll take “Posts to not click on” for 400, Alex.

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Ugh.

Do we know how far north they can get? I have not seen them, and am hoping that our winters will kill them off.

Our winters up here in the northeast have to be good for something.

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I do not know. It seems that they recently got into Virginia…

Here is another article:

Apparently, they can “potentially” live forever and get to over a FOOT in length. They do not like areas with low humidity so if you live in the mountains you may be fine…