A reader and her husband just wrote to us from San Antonio, Texas. For the last three years they find hammerhead worms in their home beginning in March for the duration of one month. After one month has passed, these worms disappear.
They have ensured that their windows and doors are sealed, and yet these worms still appear. They are curious if there is a spray or powder that could be applied around the house to deter these hammerhead worms from visiting.
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For any readers that are unfamiliar with these worms, the term “hammerhead worm” applies to many different species of worms. Generally, they are flatworms that can grow up to 20 inches, and are usually seen at night because they are nocturnal. Soil is the ideal home to hammerhead worms because they need a moist environment to survive. Our reader didn’t send a photo of the hammerhead worms they are discovering, so we included a picture of a hammerhead worm that we received from another reader.
Although it is unfortunate that these creatures keep appearing in our readers’ home, they should find some solace in the fact that hammerheads are not harmful to humans or household pets. Hammerheads primarily eat earthworms, so it doesn’t make sense that these worms are coming inside to find food, unless of course they are also finding earthworms in their house. However, our reader didn’t mention anything about earthworms, so we will assume they are not present.
Although there are some sprays that are designed to deter hammerhead worms, these are meant for an outside environment, like a garden. We don’t recommend our reader use these sprays inside the house.
Here at All About Worms, we only offer natural and toxin-free ways to get rid of worms, so we won’t expand about potential pesticides or sprays. Since hammerhead worms thrive in moisture, we suggest that our reader install a dehumidifier to soak up some of the wetness that could be attracting these worms.
Overall, we heard from a couple that continues to find hammerhead worms in their home for the duration of one month every year. We don’t know why these worms are entering their home, but we suggest attempting to deter the hammerhead worms by eliminating moisture.
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PLEASE HELP-For 1st time in 20 yrs. living here in WNC this summer has brought these flat white string-like worms -often 20 ” long, after rains all over our concrete patios and porches. often 20 or more – often get all over sliding doors -ugh ! Makes me
ill at the sight – HATE WORMS but these are the worst ever ! What are they? Where do they come from? Why never before this year ? Always have got much rain here but
never had these before. Getting worse-NO one knows what they are-C/N find online.
Can spend little time on patio now-How to kill them on property short of saturating the entire lawn with bleach-pour all over concrete – is all that kills them ! HELP ME ! ! !
I would also ensure that landscaping drainage is present, and drains easily away from the outer walls of the house! Check gutters and downspouts, as well as the slope of the land downwards away from the home.
I would also investigate to see in something like melting snow, or rain, or a high water table, or something may be the attracting force, yet still be outside the home. Even a slow leak in a pipe could be a reason.