EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) – A man from northern Edmond is alerting his neighbors about spotting a predatory worm on his back porch and informing them about the correct way to get rid of these creatures.
Gerald Costner enjoys tending to his garden and lawn. He also likes to appreciate his efforts with a cup of coffee on his rear deck.
On Saturday morning, Costner and his spouse spotted something eerie and over 5 inches long wriggling across their patio.
I noticed this bizarre-looking worm,” said Costner. “Its head was shaped like an anvil, just like that one.
It had the texture of a slug and was as flat as a flounder. Costner mentioned that this particular one was approximately the same length as his cellphone.
“Stripes extend across the entire body,” explained Costner.
Naturally repulsed, Costner felt compelled to dispose of it.
He took some pruning clippers and divided it into two parts. He tossed one portion into the backyard, while the other he threw away.
Once the area was safe, Costner turned to Google. The search results revealed it was a hammerhead worm.
“It’s a carnivorous worm. It’s insane; it preys on earthworms that aid in soil propagation,” said Costner.
References from the
USDA
mentioned that there are multiple varieties of these worms. Each type looks somewhat different from one another. Nonetheless, they all feature stripes and possess that distinctive head shape.
Moreover, they release toxic substances that may lead to discomfort for people.
And these substances can pose risks to animals as well,” stated Costner. “If an animal licks them, it could become quite ill.
The USDA stated that if you wish to eliminate them, you can either apply some salt or remove them entirely. Similar to other types of worms, they have the ability to regenerate lost segments.
“So, we likely have four worms somewhere,” said Costner.
You can alternatively use tweezers to lift the worms and put them into a bag containing vinegar or alcohol.
The positive aspect is that hammerhead worms usually remain underground, with the exception of the rainy periods we’ve been going through.
Additionally, there is no risk to the plants.
Meanwhile, Costner intends to update his neighbors while continuing to tend to his garden without a worry.
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