WATCH: Hammerhead worm spotted in Glenwood

A LOCAL garden centre has warned Berea residents to beware of the hammerhead worm, which has been spotted in the Glenwood area.

Glenwood Garden Centre took to their Facebook page to warn residents. Berea Mail visited the garden centre to find out more. According to Byron Scott Harker, owner of Glenwood Garden Centre, the hammerhead worm is an invasive species.

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“It eats our earthworms, which break down plant matter and produce great soil – [the hammerhead worm] is the earthworm’s natural predator,” he said.

He added that, according to his research, the worm could be poisonous and should not be handled without gloves. The centre advised residents to use natural remedies to keep hammerhead worms out of their gardens.

“From our research, citrus essential oil mixed with salt and/or vinegar works best. Plain white vinegar works, as well.”

Warren Dick, a macro-photographer and snake catcher based in the Bluff, confirmed that the hammerhead worms are invasive although not harmful to humans.

“Hammerhead worms are harmless to humans. The most common ones, the black worms, are alien invasives, and they largely feed on earthworms. I recommend squashing them toughly. Even if a piece of the tail is left behind, it will grow into a new worm. This is also true if the worm is cut in two,” said Dick.

He said he has seen hammerhead worms on several occasions in his area.

“People often misidentify them [hammerhead worms] as snakes, and I get quite a lot of calls,” he added.

Watch this video clip to find out more:

*This article was updated at 13:30 to include an extra comment.

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