15 August 2023 , 22:40
1004
0
Gardeners have been shocked to find their flower beds swarming with invasive worms with same 'lethal nuerotoxins' as pufferfish.
The strange-looking hammerhead worms can split into multiple pieces that function independently. They originate from Asia, but are likely now spreading throughout the US by hiding in the soil of imported exotic plants.
They have been found in the mid-Atlantic region and will likely spread throughout the East Coast. Although they contain poison, a human would have to eat several to be affected but handling them can lead to skin irritation.
The invasive worms are believed to have come into the US in the soil of potted exotic plants (Getty Images)Hammerhead worms have been sighted in Arlington, Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland over the last 15 years. Experts have modelled the areas five species of hammerhead worms are likely to spread to as climates change and the East Coast of the US will likely become a "higher suitability.”
People are concerned about the spread of the worms as they can cause health issues in pets if ingested by an unsuspecting pooch.
Furious chimp launches bottle at girl filming him leaving her bleeding at zoo
They eat slugs, worms and snails and experts fear their voracious appetite could have impacts higher up the food chain. Biologist Amber Stokes, a professor at California State University, Bakersfield, told The Washington Post: “They have the potential to do damage to invertebrate populations, which then risks organisms up the food chain as well.”
The worms thrive in hot wet conditions. Research from experts Yoan Fourcade, Leigh Winsor, and Jean-Lou Justine showed that “flatworm species were systematically absent from regions exhibiting cold winter temperatures.” It added that two species of the flatworms “also showed a sudden increase in suitability after 25C of maximum temperature of the warmest month.”
Gardeners should use gloves when trying to get rid of them (Getty Images)If you find a hammerhead in your garden you are encouraged to dispose of it safely. They're surprisingly hard to get rid of, especially as they survive after being cut into pieces.
Naturalist Alonso Abugattas advised the Post: “People should wear gloves when dealing with hammerhead worms. The worms should be placed in plastic bags with alcohol, vinegar, or salt and frozen. The big thing is to freeze them before disposal.”