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Posted in Dog Worms Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida

Pink Worms on Dog Blanket are Earthworms

“What kind of worms are these?” asks this reader in her submission regarding the pink worms pictured below. “They are less than an inch long, and there were quite a bit of them. We are from Louisiana. We found them on our dog’s blanket outside which had been in the mud.” We must say that the photo is unfortunately quite blurry, meaning that when we zoomed in to get a better look at the worms, it got even blurrier. Since we can’t make out the finer details of the worms’ bodies, we can just go off their general shape and coloration.

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Posted in Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida Worms Generally

Hundreds of Brown Worms are Earthworms

“Can you help identify this worm/creature?” writes this reader about the brown, worm-looking critter pictured below. “They are out by the seeming hundreds right now and seem to have a tapered body. It’s raining, 55 degrees. Northwest Arkansas. Pictures attached.” Immediately, we have to say that the photos that our reader sent in were quite blurry, even without zooming in on the photo. This means that when we did zoom in for a better look at the worm, we could not see any of the finer details of the worm’s physical characteristics. For that reason, we will unfortunately not be able to identify the creature with 100% certainty or accuracy.

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Posted in Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida Worms Generally

Hundreds of Earthworms Discovered in Pool After Rain

“I find hundreds of earthworms in my pool after it has rained”, writes this reader in their submission, which does not include any pictures or videos. “It looks like a mass suicide? Now, I read they can survive for up to two weeks under water. Is the chlorine in the pool toxic for them, and how can I help them get back into the ground?” To start with, whether or not earthworms can survive underwater for two weeks seems to be a debatable topic. Some sources say they can survive for weeks underwater, while others say they can survive for hours. Our take is that this would be entirely dependent on the species. There are species of earthworms that belong to a group of worms called ‘bloodworms’. They are typically red in color, which they get from the excess production of hemoglobin, which does indeed allow them to survive in low oxygen conditions, such as underwater, for long periods of time. That said, not all species of earthworms are bloodworms, and we doubt the earthworms our reader found are bloodworms.

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Posted in Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida Worms Generally

Striped, Black Worm in Dining Room is a Pheretima Earthworm

“Do you know what this worm is?” asks this reader about the black and gray-striped worm pictured below. “We found it on our dining room floor. Pasadena, CA. Thank you!” To start with, we want to compliment our reader on the excellent photo. If it were not for our reader capturing the detail of the worm’s striking stripes and long body, we might have mistepped and identified this worm as something completely different. With that said, we think our reader found a pheretima earthworm.

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Posted in Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida Worms Generally

Black Worm with Suckers is a Jumping Worm

“This worm moves from both ends”, writes this reader about the black, worm-like creature pictured below. “It has suckers/feet that it moves along with. Hope you can tell me what it is and if it is dangerous.” To start with, we want to thank our reader for the excellent photos she sent in, the best one of which is the one we included. Since it is such good quality, we find it odd that we cannot see the “suckers/feet” that our reader refers to. To us, this worm looks completely void of any feet-like appendages.

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Posted in Dog Worms Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida

Pinkish Brown Worm in Chihuahua’s Water Bowl Could be Earthworm, but a Visit to the Vet is Advised

Pinkish, brown worms were found in Olivia’s dog’s water bowl, and she asks us to identify them, and answer the question of whether or not it could possibly be a parasite. She found two such worms, on two different occasions, and has provided excellent photos of them both. The latest one she found only recently; “This morning I refilled the water bowl for my dog. He’s a 15 year old chihuahua, and he loves to lick the floor looking for scraps of food. After a while he went to the water bowl and drank some water, and when he was done I found this worm looking thing in the bottom of the bowl. It wasn’t moving, but it couldn’t have been there for long since I had just changed the water. This is the second time I’ve found one of these in his water bowl, and the last time was 1-2 months ago. Do you know if it’s parasitic? Is it coming from my dog? Where is it coming from and why? We are located in Sweden. Thank you so much for helping, and have a great day!”

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Posted in Earthworms Garden Worms Segmented Worms Annelida

Pink Worm on Bedroom Carpet is an Earthworm

“Why did I find a worm crawling on my carpet in my bedroom?” writes Elizabeth about the worm pictured below. “I live in Northern California and we’ve been having a lot of rain, but I don’t wear shoes in this room. There is a sliding glass door a few feet away, but it hasn’t been opened in weeks (it’s winter). I have two chihuahuas under 10lbs but there is no “accident” in the room. Is it a worm? It was moving kind of fast and also trying to dig its head in the carpet. Thank you.” To answer Elizabeth’s second question, this is indeed a worm. In fact, this is an earthworm. We can tell by its pink coloration, segmentation, and the clitellum encircling its middle.

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Posted in Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida Worms Found in the House

Pink Worms Drying Out In Home are Earthworms

“I have noticed dried out worms every few days in one specific room for the last month”, writes Eoghan from Ireland, referring to the pink worms pictured below. “Please note it has been raining quite heavily the last month. The room and house are warm and not considered damp. There is a roller door that I believe these worms might be getting under and into the house. I sealed the door but they still seem to be getting in. I believe there is a tiny hole without a screw that I cannot visibly see but perhaps they might be getting in so I’m going to seal that today. I have attached several photos, on one occasion I found two worms wrapped together in the sliding door. There is no mulch or leaves outside the door, there is only a patio and then our garden. Interested to get your view on this and advice to prevent them from entering my house. Is there a reason why they are entering my house? Thanks so much!”

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Posted in Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida Worms Found in the House

Tiny Pink Worms in Bathtub are Baby Earthworms

“I have read articles on your website regarding this but I don’t think they had exactly what I’m looking for”, writes Julia in her submission, in which she sends the photo of the pink, worm-like creature pictured below. “And if I see one more worm in my bathtub, I might actually move apartments. Well, that’s an exaggeration, but please help. First time this happened was right after a shower. Of course, it’s humid and the bathtub is the perfect breeding ground for many bugs, but this one showed up out of nowhere and it completely startled me. They’re very small, even smaller than my pinky finger, and look black in the photo but actually seem to have a translucent pink exterior and black interior? If that makes sense.”

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Posted in Earthworms

Clear Worm in Toilet is an Aquatic Earthworm

“I found this worm in my shower”, writes Diana about the thin, translucent worm in a toilet pictured below. “What is it? I have attached a photo and a short video. Thank you.” Upon zooming in on the photo, we can see that the worm is indeed a clear white color, with dark patches along its body, which we assume to be its entrails that are visible through its skin. There are many species of worms that resemble this one, and without much context, it is hard to pinpoint just one species. That said, the video Diana sent in is excellent, and very helpful – it shows us that the worm has to wriggle about to move, meaning it does not have legs.

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Posted in Earthworms Marine Worms Red Worms

Clear, Red Worm in Cat’s Water Dish is a Square-tailed Worm

“My mom found this worm in her cat’s water dish”, writes Jade in Atlanta, Georgia about the red, clear worm pictured below. “My mom said that it was not happy to be removed from the water/seemed like it belonged in water. We sent a photo to her vet and are waiting to hear back, but I am very curious what it is, even if it’s not a kitty parasite. Thanks so much! Attaching two photos and a video showing how it moves.” Firstly, we just want to thank Jade for the ample context and the excellent photo and video: they really help us narrow down the possible identifications for a given organism. Secondly, we have to say that, given that this was found in her cat’s water dish, we will not be able to give an identification that is 100% certain, given the possibility that it is related to the cat’s health – which Jade makes clear by affirming that she has consulted her vet. Since we are not medical professionals, we are neither qualified nor legally able to provide advice in these types of instances. Such advice includes making identifications. So, in the case that her vet decides that this worm is tied to her cat’s health, then Jade should disregard any of the information we give in this article.

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Posted in Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida Worms Found in the House

Pink and Gray Worm Found in Urine May be Annelid

“Can you please identify the worm in this picture that is found in human urine?” is all this reader asks in his submission regarding the gray and pink worm pictured below. The worm is rather long, segmented, and has semi-transparent skin: at least, so we think. Our theory is that the pink part near the end of its body is a view into the inside of the worm. Based on the photo, we would think this is some type of annelid, though our identification should not be taken at face value. The reason for this is the lack of context of our reader’s situation: he does not specify if the worm came from someone’s body, and was then found in their urine, or if somebody peed, then looked in the toilet, and saw the worm there.

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Posted in Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida Worms Generally

A Quick Look at Nightcrawlers

“So I went to your website and I was looking for nightcrawlers but didn’t see the nightcrawlers”, states this reader in his submission. “Do you have anything about nightcrawlers?” he asks. To start with, we do indeed have articles on nightcrawlers. We have even written a post solely on these creatures and what they are. Of course, we are still happy to go over them in this article, seeing as our reader was not able to find this one. That said, for future reference, if any of our readers wish to find a specific organism, all they need to do is press the magnifying glass icon in the top right-hand corner of the website’s home page and type in what organism you want to find. Naturally, if nothing comes up, then shoot us a question!

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Posted in Composting Worms Earthworms Tiger Worm

Red-striped Worm in Toilet Bowl is a Tiger Worm

“I found this worm in my toilet bowl”, states this reader in Turkey about the red-striped worm pictured below. “I had not used this toilet for almost 24 hours. It looks like an earthworm. But I also wonder if it could be some sort of parasite. Thanks for any comment.” Based on the excellent image our reader sent in, we would say this is an earthworm, specifically a tiger worm. These creatures, otherwise known as red wigglers or red Californians, are completely harmless creatures, just like the common earthworm. They are not parasitic, and they do not bite or sting, so our reader needs not worry for her health and safety.

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Posted in Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida Worms Facts

Pink and Brown Worm Found by Flower Bed is an Earthworm

“Please help me identify this ‘worm?’” requests this reader in her submission regarding the pink and brown worm-like organism pictured below. “I live in McKinney, TX and found this guy on a paver in our front garden/flower beds. Unfortunately it was too far gone to save, but I wasn’t even sure I should try! I need to know in case I find another one like it. Is it a good guy or bad guy? Background info: Our property has a lot of millipedes and a few which could be centipedes. (I haven’t bothered about them.) We see very few earthworms and are even considering purchasing some. We do not use general insecticides and never use professional companies. Our natural soil is clay. We’ve added soil for planting and good mulch on top. Your help is appreciated.”

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Posted in Earthworms Pest Worms Segmented Worms Annelida

Asian Jumping Worms in California and the Threat They Pose to the Ecosystem

A species of earthworm commonly referred to as a ‘jumping worm’ has made its way to North America, namely the Asian jumping worm (Amynthas agrestis), and its introduction into California’s habitats has caused concern for the ecosystem. Asian jumping worms get their name from their ability to leap as high as a foot into the air. They also have a general tendency to squirm and flail around when disturbed, which is typically when they will also jump: it is a defense mechanism they use to get away from predators. The Minnesota Department of Resources uploaded a “YouTube video about jumping worms” which shows the worms’ erratic behavior.

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Posted in Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida Worms Facts

Long, Red Worm Found in Bathroom After Leak is Either an Earthworm or Bloodworm

“I found this in my bathroom where the water is leaking from the water sprayer”, states this reader in her submission regarding the long, red worm-like organism pictured below. “When I was cleaning the bathroom I found the first one. I asked my family to get rid of it because, frankly, I can’t stand worms or insects anyways. They did get rid of it and I thought that this was over with, but apparently not because today I found another one in the exact same place. I am so very concerned as to where it came from. Any help you could provide would be very much appreciated. I’m from Iraq. I don’t know if my country has any factors that could lead up to this, but just in case you needed that info. Thank you in advance.

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Posted in Earthworms Flatworm Worms Found in the House

Long, Black and Brown Worms Found in Shower Could be Earthworms or Flatworms

“I have been finding 3-5 brown and black worms in my shower occasionally (every few days)”, states this reader about the long worm-like organism pictured below. “I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia in a home built in the 60s. Sometimes these worms are brown and black combinations, sometimes they are all black. Last week one was alive in the shower while I was showering and it appeared to be attached to the edge of the shower with its mouth like a leach, while its body waved around in the water. They appear to be worms, however. I usually find them dead in the shower before I start the water; apparently they come up out of the drain after I shower and leave the bathroom, and then dry out and die once the water has evaporated. They don’t appear to be earthworms, and they’re too large to be drain fly larvae. I’ve attached a couple pictures of one I found a couple days ago. I will check back to see if anyone can help identify these guys. Thanks!”

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Posted in Earthworms Segmented Worms Annelida Worms Found in the House

Earthworms Crawl Into Woman’s Home and Send Her Asking for Help

“I am getting earthworms in my home”, states this reader in her submission. She attaches a picture of a long, pink organism, though the details of the photo are a bit muddled, so we will just have to take our reader’s word for it that this is an earthworm. “I have not determined the point of entry. I expect it is my back door, although the seal and sweep appear to be okay. I get several in the house after a rain. Help, it is gross to step out of bed next to a worm! Thanks.” First of all, it makes sense that earthworms are coming out in the rain, as that is typical of earthworms, as well as all underground-dwelling organisms. The reason they do this is because, when it rains, their burrows get filled with water, so they must rise to the surface to breathe.

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Posted in Earthworms Worms Facts Worms Found in the House

How Earthworms Can Get Into Your Washing Machine

“I found an earthworm in my washing machine”, states this reader in her submission, which does not include a picture of the worm. “It was not in the clothes before I put them in the machine. How could it get in there? And what should I do to get rid of more? Thank you!” To answer our reader’s question in short, earthworms can come up through drains, and that is likely how it ended up in the washing machine. The reason earthworms come up through people’s drains is usually because there is a leak in the pipes somewhere underground. To see if she might be experiencing a leak, our reader can be on the lookout for the following signs: smelly water, foul-tasting water, changes in water pressure, and inconsistencies in water temperature.