Keep An Eye Out For A Destructive And Invasive Species Of Worm In Missouri This Year
By Beth Price-Williams|Published March 31, 2022
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Springtime brings with it so much beauty – from the blossoming flowers to warmer temperatures – but it also means the return of some unpleasant guests, like this destructive and invasive species of worm in Missouri. If you’re a gardener, you may have already heard of, or even have seen, the hammerhead worm. Even if you haven’t seen it, you’ll want to know what to do in case you run across this terribly destructive creature.
You shouldn’t have too much difficulty identifying a hammerhead worm when you see one. It stretches more than a quarter of an inch long, and its head looks like a hammer.
The good news is hammerhead worms aren’t directly harmful to humans or animals. However, they are particularly dangerous to native earthworms which will likely, in turn, damage the health of the soil.
Hammerhead worms originated in Southeast Asia and, over time, have made their way to the United States and are most prominently found in the southern states. They’ve made their way to Missouri, too, likely on potted plants from greenhouses.
Today, Missourians report seeing hammerhead worms in their lawns and gardens. If you see one, you must take immediate action. Unfortunately, killing a hammerhead worm isn’t as straightforward as it might seem.
Your best bet is to pour salt and vinegar on it to kill it. To ensure the hammerhead doesn’t get away, grab it and put it in a plastic bag or container with salt and vinegar.
However, whatever you do, do NOT touch the hammerhead with your bare hands; use gloves or a napkin to pick it up, and dispose of it in a container or plastic bag instead. If you do touch it, make sure you wash your hands with soap and hot water.
Put the container or plastic bag in the freezer for at least 48 hours, so there is sufficient time for the worms to dissolve. After that time, throw the plastic bag or the container away.
Have you seen this destructive, invasive species of worm in Missouri yet? Let us know in the comments! While we probably aren’t looking forward to seeing the hammerhead worm, we still have some amazing visitors returning – the ruby-throated hummingbirds will return to Missouri, for example.
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