Texas Nightmare Worm: Cutting It Up Only Makes MORE!

A toxic flatworm is wreaking havoc as it spreads across Texas.

The Hammerhead Flatworm Seems Indestructible

There is an invasive worm spreading across Texas that seems indestructible. According to the Texas Invasive Species Institute, methods typically used to kill worms do not work on this worm. The worm is easy to spot. The flat, brown and black striped worm has a half-moon shaped head and can reach almost 16 inches in length.

Do NOT Cut Up the Worm!

According to scientists, cutting the worm into pieces will result in more worms. The worm can regenerate. If that isn’t freaky enough, you cannot smash it either. While the worms do not sting or bite, they have a neurotoxin in their mucus that can cause rashes when it encounters human skin.

What Can You Do to Get Rid of the Worms?

According to the Texas Invasive Species Institute, if you come across the hammerhead flatworm, get the worm into a ziplock bag and freeze the thing for 48 hours. After you finish with that, report the worm to the Institute.

The Hammerhead Flatworm’s History

The Hammerhead Flatworm is one of many invasive species that trace their history back to Asia. The Southeast Asian predators love hot, humid environments where they can prey on snails and earthworms. That is a huge problem, because we rely on earthworms to aerate the soil. Since the Hammerhead Flatworm has no natural predator in the U.S., it can wreak havoc on our ecosystem.

The Hammerhead Flatworms are All Over the Place

It is easy to locate the Hammerhead Flatworm in your yard. The worms love to hang out in leaf litter, moist mulch, and soil.