Invasive hammerhead flatworm: Rain in Houston could bring them out

HOUSTON — With all the rain we’ve had and are expecting in the Houston area, there’s one poison in the soil you should know about: the invasive hammerhead flatworm.

These slugs can grow up to 12 inches long and can release a toxin if you pick them up. And it can irritate your skin. The toxin could also make your pets sick if they try to eat one. They prefer warm, humid climates, making Houston the perfect place for them. They can be found in soil, driveways, patios and sidewalks, especially after heavy rains.

The rain we’re going to see this week will drive worms out of their burrows in the soil, putting you, your children and your pets at risk.

But you can also use this rain to your advantage.

Morgan Young of our sister station WFAA did a story on worms, saying if you find any, put on gloves, put it all in a plastic bag with some slime and vinegar and put it in the freezer overnight. One thing you don’t want to do is cut it into pieces.

“It’s going to regenerate,” said Ashley Morgan-Olvera, a master’s degree holder with the Texas Invasive Species Institute. “So if you cut it in two pieces, you get two worms.”

If you find a hammerhead flatworm, Morgan-Olvera told us in a previous post to send a photo and the address where it was found to [email protected]. That way, the department can track the data.

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