A new threat to our ecosystem, Hammerhead Flatworms

Hammerhead Flatworms are harmless to plants directly but potentially harmful to humans and animals, found in many warmer climate states. Hammerheads are native to Southeast Asia and have a preference for hot, humid places. They thrive in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.

The Hammerhead worm is a worm that is often found in the soil where it feeds on earthworms. We can call them the earthworm killers. They have a shovel-shaped head, which is the origin of their name. In fact, they are poisonous to eat as their body contains a neurotoxin. They are often considered a threat to exotic species.

Those who spot or otherwise come into contact with hammerhead worms should wear a pair of gloves, avoid touching them with bare skin, and of course, avoid eating them. Anyone dealing with a hammerhead flatworm should wash their hands with hot soapy water, rinse with alcohol, and/or use hand sanitizer. If you see one of these worms and want to kill them, take a moment and consider your options.

You shouldn’t try to chop down hammerheads, as doing so will only result in more hammerheads. The head will start to reform within about 10 days and this can happen a few times a month. According to the research the “specialized cells” allow the worms to regenerate the parts of their bodies or “sometimes even entirely new bodies from a small piece of the original worm.

This invasive flatworm damages our ecosystem by preying on earthworms, which are necessary for the health of our forests, meadows, gardens, etc. They also secrete harmful chemicals to ward off predators and the same chemicals help the worms to digest their food. These worms can cause skin irritation and cause nausea for several days if eaten by humans, livestock, and pets. Also, many invasive flatworms and snails transmit harmful nematode parasites.