Keep An Eye Out For A Destructive And Invasive Species Of Worm In Connecticut This Year
Invasive species have been in the news a lot lately. You’ve probably heard about the possibility of the Joro spider in Connecticut. Thankfully, those non-native arachnids don’t seem to be causing too much of a problem in the ecosystems where they’ve appeared so far. One invasive species that is most definitely causing issues in every area it’s appeared so far is the hammerhead worm. This slimy invertebrate is native to Asia and has been wreaking havoc on American soil ecosystems since it entered the country years ago.






Do not touch or pick up a hammerhead worm with your bare hands. The toxin that they secrete can be irritating to human skin. You also never want to cut them into pieces, as they reproduce asexually and will multiply if cut in half.
To properly kill a hammerhead worm, pick it up using a stick or piece of paper, then place it into a container of salt or vinegar solution. You can then seal the container and put it in your freezer for 24-48 hours to ensure that it has died.
To properly kill a hammerhead worm, pick it up using a stick or piece of paper, then place it into a container of salt or vinegar solution. You can then seal the container and put it in your freezer for 24-48 hours to ensure that it has died.
Keep an eye out, as these invasive invertebrates can be plentiful in the spring and summer months! Have you spotted any hammerhead worms in Connecticut?