Do not backyard with out gloves, specialists advise, and here is find out how to kill the nasty issues — and it is best to — that may develop as much as three ft lengthy
Watch out once you dig in your backyard this spring as an undesirable intruder has made its approach to Newmarket: the invasive and poisonous hammerhead worm.
These wrigglers, native to Southeast Asia tropical and semi-tropical areas, have discovered their approach to Newmarket, Hamilton and the Kitchener area, hitching a journey on nursery inventory supplies like burlap, or as small cocoons in soil.
“They’ve been right here for a very long time, however they’re extra quite a few because the local weather modifications and warms up,” mentioned John Reynolds, director of the Oligochaetology Laboratory.
“They need to be vectored. They don’t transfer far by themselves, that’s the reason it’s best should you can, purchase planting materials that’s naked roots so there isn’t any soil or something with it. The cocoons are small. If they’re within the soil, you wouldn’t essentially see it.”
Reynolds advises gardeners to not decide them up with their naked palms however to at all times put on gloves or use a shovel.
The hammerhead worm, which is known as for the flat form of its head, has sparked issues about its potential influence on native ecosystems and wildlife.
“I’m involved about their potential influence on ecosystems,” mentioned Cathy Kavassalis, grasp gardener with the Ontario Grasp Gardener Program, and member of the Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation. “Whereas a few of these land planarians feed totally on earthworms, that are themselves invasive, others are generalist and should prey on species in danger. Right now, we have no idea the extent of the dangers they pose.”
Measuring as much as three ft lengthy, these hammerhead worms, often known as broadhead planarians, pose a risk to small animals and pets on account of their poisonous nature.
“One to a few ft is kind of regular for this specific one,” mentioned Reynolds. “That’s a lot bigger than any earthworm you can see right here on this nation.”
Reynolds expects individuals to note them extra ceaselessly as hammerheads can regenerate from sections of their physique and even multiply.
“You’re not going to eliminate them simply,’ mentioned Reynolds. “In the event you minimize them in items, every bit will produce a brand new particular person. That’s a method they will reproduce. They will additionally lay cocoons in the event that they meet with one other worm and commerce sperm, or they will produce eggs that may generate a brand new particular person with out being fertilized. It’s straightforward for them to propagate.”
Their flat-shaped heads and distinct look make them simply identifiable, however their actual hazard lies within the neurotoxin they carry – tetrodotoxin, the identical toxin present in lethal pufferfish.
Inventory picture of a hammerhead worm. Picture by way of Canva
Tetrodotoxin might be deadly to small creatures, however people could solely expertise a slight rash upon contact and discomfort. It received’t be deadly.
“Whereas some hammerhead worms can produce the identical neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, present in some pufferfish, the amount may be very small, and this poses a low danger to people or pets,” mentioned Kavassalis. “Even with pufferfish, tetrodotoxin poisoning is extraordinarily uncommon. Nonetheless, flatworms excrete irritating secretions to digest their prey, and these chemical substances might probably irritate the pores and skin. They need to be dealt with with care. Put on gloves or use an implement to gather and eliminate worms. Wash pores and skin should you do contact them.”
Kavassalis mentioned invasive species are unfold all over the world at an alarming price. Reviews of hammerhead worm sightings have been pouring in, with involved residents utilizing platforms like iNaturalist.ca to doc their encounters. The newest experiences date again to the top of March, however information present sightings courting way back to 2017, indicating a persistent presence of those invasive worms within the province.
In the event you encounter these worms in your backyard, you possibly can place them in a container or plastic bag so they can’t escape and kill it by putting the container within the direct solar for a number of hours with desk salt or hand sanitizer.
As soon as the worm is lifeless, wash your palms completely and keep away from getting any mucus in your mouth or eyes. Then, eliminate the container or bag within the trash.
“In the event you discover them and need to get rid of them, I say the best factor is to place them in a plastic bag, seal them, and go away them out within the solar for some time,” mentioned Reynolds. “After they die, they usually’re lifeless, put them within the rubbish as a result of they’ll go to the landfill, they usually received’t trouble something within the landfill.”
You possibly can report sightings to the Invasive Species Centre via their on-line reporting software or use a group science app like iNaturalist for reporting functions.
— With recordsdata from Mathew Lajoie
