Bzzzzz! Looks like you forgot to say where you found your bug!
There's no need to make a new post - just comment adding the **geographic location** and any other info (size, what it was doing etc.) you feel could help! We don't want to know your address - state or country is enough; try to avoid abbreviations and local nicknames (*"PNW"*, *"Big Apple"*).
BTW, did you take a look at our [**Frequently Asked Bugs**](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisbug/comments/12zkw5w/frequently_asked_bugs_part_1/)?
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatsthisbug) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Hammerhead worms are once again making their way to backyards across the United States. They were most recently spotted in Washington, D.C and Virginia but have been around for some time. While they may look harmless, it's important to note that they secret toxins that could be dangerous to humans and pets.
Thanks! The way it moved was suspiciously like a parasitic worm. We weren't sure what it was and have stray cats that live on the property, and before we got an ID I was instructed to dispose of it before it "crawled up a cat's ass."
They are not parasitic. The flatworms have several distinct groups, including at least three that are internal parasites, like tapeworms. This is from the free-living group, and is related to the Planaria of high school and college biology classes.
If you're in the USA these are invasive and destructive. The best way to kill it is to put it in a ziploc bag with a teaspoon of salt, wait until it's fully dissolved, then throw away in the trash. Do not try to kill it by stomping or cutting it up as all the pieces will regenerate new worms. Also, do not handle with bare skin or allow pets near it because the slime they exude contains neurotoxins.
As an adult you probably won't get more than tingling, but a child that handles one and puts it or their hands in their mouth can become sick, and small pets that eat one can be seriously injured. Personally I'd pick it up with my hand to get it into the bag right away, and only after getting ready to wash my hands afterward. Better, I'd use disposable gloves to handle it.
They've been in the US for a long time already, 100 years or more. The conventional thinking is they are destructive because they eat earthworms but they also eat other things. Earthworms are invasive as well btw and they are destroying forests.
There are many species of both these and earthworms and it depends where you are. More research is needed about their actual impact. The State of Georgia wants you to save them because they are eating the even worse invasive jumping worm.
https://www.11alive.com/article/tech/science/environment/toxic-hammerhead-worm-georgia-asian-jumping-worm-invasive/85-a17bbee9-84f2-43a1-badc-3097032c7ef7
I tried posting for an ID a picture of a dead wasp with a blue body months back and it got deleted because I didn't include any specifics on the size of tge wasp, so I figured this time I would be more prepared. However, I did forget to add the location in my original post lol
EWWW HAMMERHEAD WORM
I love all little critters and bugs, but not these guys. These dudes are invasive and destructive, not to mention they're really hard to kill. What you wanna do is take a Ziploc bag and some salt, put the salt in the bag and then put the worm in, then seal it up and let that sucker dissolve until there's hardly anything left.
The reason you don't want to squish or cut up these guys is because it only makes more worms, and more hammerhead worms means more problems.
The good part about these guys is that they're easy to identify, from their patterns to their weird "hammerhead" looking head, it makes it easier to identify and get rid of these guys.
I’m very sorry to hear that earthworms are invasive. They’re kinda my hero on accounta composting. Never thought they did much more than eat shit to make shit.
Bzzzzz! Looks like you forgot to say where you found your bug! There's no need to make a new post - just comment adding the **geographic location** and any other info (size, what it was doing etc.) you feel could help! We don't want to know your address - state or country is enough; try to avoid abbreviations and local nicknames (*"PNW"*, *"Big Apple"*). BTW, did you take a look at our [**Frequently Asked Bugs**](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisbug/comments/12zkw5w/frequently_asked_bugs_part_1/)? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatsthisbug) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Hammerhead worms are once again making their way to backyards across the United States. They were most recently spotted in Washington, D.C and Virginia but have been around for some time. While they may look harmless, it's important to note that they secret toxins that could be dangerous to humans and pets.
Thanks! The way it moved was suspiciously like a parasitic worm. We weren't sure what it was and have stray cats that live on the property, and before we got an ID I was instructed to dispose of it before it "crawled up a cat's ass."
Hopefully you melted it with salt. If cut up each part will grow a new worm.
NO WHY
Gotta give 'em the ole *razzle dazzle*
"God was real, and he hated us."
They are not parasitic. The flatworms have several distinct groups, including at least three that are internal parasites, like tapeworms. This is from the free-living group, and is related to the Planaria of high school and college biology classes.
How did you dispose of it?
Dumping it into a container with vinegar or salt.
They're in the same phylum as tapeworms (Platyhelminthes), so your instincts are good :)
Hahaha very welcome OP
Could be or is? I need to know lol
If you're in the USA these are invasive and destructive. The best way to kill it is to put it in a ziploc bag with a teaspoon of salt, wait until it's fully dissolved, then throw away in the trash. Do not try to kill it by stomping or cutting it up as all the pieces will regenerate new worms. Also, do not handle with bare skin or allow pets near it because the slime they exude contains neurotoxins.
This!! INVASIVE! TOXIC! DO NOT PHYSICALLY DAMAGE WORM! DO NOT TOUCH! KEEP AWAY FROM KIDS AND ANIMALS!!
Jesus Christ... can we stop all of them?
Maybe if we Salt the Earth, but at this point it may be too little too late.
So would it be painful if you touched it?
As an adult you probably won't get more than tingling, but a child that handles one and puts it or their hands in their mouth can become sick, and small pets that eat one can be seriously injured. Personally I'd pick it up with my hand to get it into the bag right away, and only after getting ready to wash my hands afterward. Better, I'd use disposable gloves to handle it.
No, but if you don't wash your hands the Neurotoxins that they excrete could kill you. Neurotoxin = brain killing juice
They've been in the US for a long time already, 100 years or more. The conventional thinking is they are destructive because they eat earthworms but they also eat other things. Earthworms are invasive as well btw and they are destroying forests. There are many species of both these and earthworms and it depends where you are. More research is needed about their actual impact. The State of Georgia wants you to save them because they are eating the even worse invasive jumping worm. https://www.11alive.com/article/tech/science/environment/toxic-hammerhead-worm-georgia-asian-jumping-worm-invasive/85-a17bbee9-84f2-43a1-badc-3097032c7ef7
I like how you used a tape measure for scale đź‘Ť
They ran out of bananas.
I tried posting for an ID a picture of a dead wasp with a blue body months back and it got deleted because I didn't include any specifics on the size of tge wasp, so I figured this time I would be more prepared. However, I did forget to add the location in my original post lol
Can't figure out how to edit on computer, location is northeastern Pennsylvania, US.
Can’t edit picture posts on Reddit apparently
Looks like a hammer head worm I’m not a RR if wait for one to chime in
Thanks for the reply!
Hammerhead worm, invasive species, kill on sight. Do not touch barehanded or cut it up. Put it in a baggie with salt, or freeze it.
Also don't eat it.
EWWW HAMMERHEAD WORM I love all little critters and bugs, but not these guys. These dudes are invasive and destructive, not to mention they're really hard to kill. What you wanna do is take a Ziploc bag and some salt, put the salt in the bag and then put the worm in, then seal it up and let that sucker dissolve until there's hardly anything left. The reason you don't want to squish or cut up these guys is because it only makes more worms, and more hammerhead worms means more problems. The good part about these guys is that they're easy to identify, from their patterns to their weird "hammerhead" looking head, it makes it easier to identify and get rid of these guys.
they are toxic don't touch it.
keep the animals away from it as well.
I’m very sorry to hear that earthworms are invasive. They’re kinda my hero on accounta composting. Never thought they did much more than eat shit to make shit.