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The recent sightings of invasive hammerhead worms in Farmers Branch and Addison may be a cause for concern among residents.
Hammerhead worms prey on earthworms, which enhance the nutrients in the soil. The potential depletion of earthworms would negatively impact the soil health of local gardens. As a result, gardeners should keep a lookout for this invasive species.
Although hammerhead worms originate from Asia, according to a Texas A&M Agrilife Extension pamphlet, they have spread far from home because of their preference for warm, moist climates. While hammerhead worms spend their days under leaf litter, residents are most likely to spot them on driveways or sidewalks after heavy rainfall.
To steer clear of the hammerhead worms’ negative effects, residents should remain cautious and know how to identify them.
The Texas Invasive Species Institute said Bipalium kewense, the species of the hammerhead worm found in North Texas, is light colored with dark stripes and can be up to 15 inches long. The distinguishing feature of this worm is its head which resembles that of a hammerhead shark.
If a resident encounters one of these worms, they must dispose of them in a specific way. Hammerhead worms can regenerate if they are cut into smaller pieces, making them notoriously difficult to kill.
The Texas Invasive Species Institute web site said this reproductive process of fragmentation may occur a few times a month, taking as little as 10 days for a head to grow on the detached piece. Therefore, attempting to kill the worm by severing it will lead to unwanted growth.
“I was doing some gardening, and I moved one of the baskets that I have,” said Farmers Branch resident Vanessa Hernandez. “I saw the worm…I had never seen one shaped this way before. I squished it in three because it was long enough…I looked it up online…and the first thing it said was ‘Do not squish it’, and I had already squished it. It said it's best to kill with salt, so I ran in the house, got salt and, by the time I came back, the remains were gone and all that was left behind was the mucus.”
Residents also should avoid physical contact with the species. According to the Dallas County Master Gardeners, “Hammerhead worms should not be touched with bare hands as they can cause contact dermatitis for some people. They should be placed into a plastic Ziploc bag and frozen, then disposed of in the garbage.”
The Texas Invasive Species Institute recommends placing salt or vinegar in the Ziploc bag to prevent the worm from crawling away. Since the species secretes a toxin to help digest its prey, residents should wear gloves and wash their hands with soap and water to avoid skin irritation. While not seriously dangerous, they may also cause irritation in pets if the worm is consumed.
“If you have pets, be very careful,” Hernandez said. “My recommendation is to always wear your gardening gloves.”
Despite sightings of these invasive creatures, there isn’t much action being taken to manage them locally.
“[We] keep a log of where they are found by zip code, but we don’t have enough reports to escalate further action,” said a member of the Dallas County Master Gardeners.
By being aware of the pest and the proper disposal methods, residents can help to minimize the impact to local gardens and ecosystems.
Residents can report sightings to the Texas Invasive Species Institute.
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