Beware toxic, foot-long hammerhead worms invading US
Share and Follow

Stop, hammertime!

Extensive rainfall over several weeks in North Texas has caused a sudden emergence of large, poisonous hammerhead flatworms from the ground, alarming the local residents.

“It was terrifying, like these are truly the end times, even the worms are demonic,” Keller resident Adam Ingle told NBC5 of the subterranean scourge, which reared its hammerhead in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston regions.

Named for their flat, ball-peen-evoking noggins, these foot-long invertebrates secrete neurotoxins that can irritate human skin upon contact and also poison pets that ingest them.

These invaders also prey on native species such as the earthworms that tend the soil, which can impact the environment.

Since arriving in the US from Southeast Asia in the late 1800s, the worms have spread across the nation, cropping up everywhere from the Pacific Northwest to New York and most recently, North Texas, despite having been in the Lone Star State for decades.

While they generally prefer to remain underground out of the sunlight, the heavy torrents brought these wriggling menaces to the surface, as seen in multiple viral TikTok videos of the groundbreaking phenomenon.

“In one of the creepy videos, the worms are wriggling on the surface of the soil like a miniature version of the monsters from “Tremors” while another shows a lengthy specimen inching its way across an envelope.

A third depicts one of the vacuum-headed critters crawling across a screen.

“Houstonnn we have a problem!!” the poster wrote in the caption. “You don’t want this guy in your garden or near your pets!”

Unfortunately, eliminating this tiny terror is no mean feat — chopping them in half only increases their numbers as they reproduce asexually.

“Don’t kill it, don’t squish it, don’t cut it up, because it makes three or four more worms,” warned Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, per NBC5. “Tear it in half, now you’ve got two worms.”

To dispatch hammerhead worms, experts advise bagging the worms and freezing them for up to 48 hours or leaving them in a salt and vinegar solution.

Due to their toxic nature, homeowners should avoid touching them without wearing gloves or other protection, even if they’re already dead.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
KISS guitarist Ace Frehley has died

Legendary KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley Passes Away

In a recent update, news has surfaced following the cancellation of tour…
US military drone strike on drug 'submersible' in Caribbean leaves survivors, official confirms

US Military Drone Strike Targets Drug Submersible in Caribbean, Survivors Confirmed

A U.S. military drone executed a strike on a drug-smuggling vessel in…
Meghan Markle is mocked for Duchess of Sussex-branded 'DS' tote bag

Meghan Markle’s New ‘DS’ Tote Bag Sparks Online Buzz

Meghan Markle recently faced criticism for carrying a tote bag prominently displaying…
Meghan Markle enjoys LA vegan dinner for women who 'own their power'

Meghan Markle Champions Female Empowerment at Exclusive LA Vegan Dinner Event

Meghan Markle recently made an appearance at a glamorous vegan dinner in…
Fitness trend sending people to hospital at 'alarming rate'

Shocking Fitness Fad: Why This Trend is Landing People in the Hospital

Remember to dink responsibly! Pickleball is a sport that uniquely blends elements…
Hamas captors once held ordinary jobs — ‘teachers and doctors,’ says ex-Israeli hostage

Former Israeli Hostage Reveals Surprising Backgrounds of Hamas Captors: From Teachers to Doctors

A former Israeli hostage, detained by Hamas for more than 500 days,…
Newlyweds found dead days before celebrating their first anniversary: police

Authorities Announce Cause of Death for Newlywed Couple Discovered in Car Days Before Anniversary

This article contains discussions of suicide. For support, please reach out to…
IDF holds memorial ceremony at base attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7 honoring fallen troops

IDF Honors Fallen Soldiers in Emotional Memorial at Site of Hamas Attack

On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) held a solemn ceremony at…