“Can you tell me what this is?” asks this reader in her submission regarding the long, white objects pictured below. “I found it on the steps to my deck in Mansfield, Ohio. They look like long blonde hair but some of it moves like a worm. Thank you for your time!” Now, if we were to assume that these are organisms, and look only at the photograph our reader sent in, we would suggest these could be horsehair worms, as they can look like this – like long strands of “blonde hair”.
That said, having seen the video our reader sent in, we are going to have to disagree with her on one point – they do not move like worms at all. In fact, the only part of these worms that moves in the video is one bent ‘piece’ that is sticking up in the air and which seems to be ‘swaying’ in the wind, which is all we think it is doing. And for that reason, we are more inclined to think these might just be pieces of dry grass, rather than worms. They likely just blew onto our reader’s yard from somewhere: maybe a neighbor recently cut their grass. Additionally, if these were horsehair worms, then all of the ‘worms’ would be moving, and they would be writhing around each other in a far messier tangle – they are not nicknamed ‘Gordian worms’ for no reason. This name comes from the myth of the legendary Gordian knot that Alexander the Great cut with his sword.
With all of this said, if our reader is absolutely convinced these are worms, then we suggest she get a second opinion. She can put a few of the worms in a box with air holes and take them to her local county extension office. There someone will be able to physically examine the worms and may have a better chance at identifying them. Additionally, if any of our other readers have any insight about this that they want to share, they are more than welcome to do so in the comments section below.
To conclude, we do not think these strands of “blonde hair” are worms at all, but probably just pieces of grass. We can understand that these do slightly resemble worms, and we bet they gave our reader quite the scare, but we do not think she has anything to worry about. Even if they were horsehair worms, these worms, while being parasites of insects, do not take humans as hosts. We hope the information we provided proves helpful, and we wish our reader the very best!
I have been dealing with something that takes different forms. It’s usually pale in color with black beak looking things. They are all over my house and inside me. They are in my mouth,stool, skin, and hair. Sometimes they can look like black streaks to dots, usually in threes. I have searched the web and unfortunately, there are a few things that come up when I put in what I’m seeing. Most say that they don’t live in humans. Unfortunately, my doctor is saying that same thing. He told me to go to a dentist, it’s a cavity. ( the black spot) I did go knowing it’s not a cavity and unfortunately, the dentist took a 4 second look and also said it’s a cavity. It’s not visible if you look in my mouth, but pieces of it does fall off and when I spit it out, you can see it. Flesh in color, with black streaks or a black beak looking things. I have a ton of pictures and it’s different forms. I can’t get anyone to help me!!! I was also told to go to a therapist. Can you imagine!! I feel so alone and scared. I have also gone to the er, with the same results. Either they don’t know what to do or they just don’t care or I’m crazy. I’m at my wits end. We even had a company come in and spray our home, which seemed to kill many but not all and not inside me. We’re spending a ton of money eating take out only because they are still in the house and I refuse to use my pots and pans, silverware, utensils of any kind. They professionals cost 500.00 and they are still here. The worst of it obviously, is the fact they are still inside my mouth and my body, hair, all over. I went from being a healthy 56year old to having stage 4 kidney disease in 5 months. I also don’t have any feeling in my hands so I again went to a specialist who told me I have aaaasaa . They are under my skin on my hands and that’s what is going on 100%. The specialist even said it’s not a serious condition, I think he just said it’s zzzzzzz, because he doesn’t know what it is, so he just went with that. I don’t think he’s doing it to get rid of me, I genuinely think he’s just being as honest as he can, unlike my primary doctor or the er. Please help me!!! I don’t know what to do anymore. I have gone to my local health department and they told me they don’t do that there and don’t know who or how I can get help. Useless!! I’m just shocked, nobody will help. I don’t know what else to do or where to go?? I cry constantly. I’m so alone. Nobody will even refer me where to go. I also called the fire department, and again I was told they don’t deal with this either and they don’t know what I should do or go. I’m living in Myrtle Beach South Carolina where it’s muggy and wet. I even bought a new dehumidifier as the internet said. Nothing is helping and nobody is helping. Please I beg, please help me or at least tell me where to go. Please I’m so afraid of kidney failure. Stage 5 which is the highest level a person can go before compete kidney failure. I’m a high 4 now. I’m convinced it’s this thing in me and all around me. Please help!!
Yes, it is alive and I don’t y know why some can move and others don’t. Often, it can move one end and not the other. It definitely makes the human body it’s home. It is just under the skin. If you rub off your skin (like in dry spots, maybe the top of your shoulders, when in shower for awhile) you will find it. Usually it’s translucent, but those under my skin are the same color as my hair, brown. It’s also In my hair. When I put something on it they don’t like, like apple cider vinegar, it will twirl up into a knot or twisted hair. I’ll try to attach pictures. Now for the truly nasty part of it – it’s also inside the body and will be inside of my bowel movements. Some will be sticking out and can be seen. If you look with a microscope, there’s small white ones that are a little different than the larger translucent ones. This is an infestation for sure and needs to be seriously investigated. I’m not saying it’s a parasite, I’m just saying that it makes its home inside the human body and under the skin. I don’t think I can put a picture in this comment.
Yes, it is alive and I funny know why she nice and others don’t. Often, it can move one end and not the other. it definitely makes the human body it’s home. It is just under the skin. If you rub off your skin (like in dry spots, maybe the top of your shoulders) you will find it. Usually it’s translucent, but those under my skin are the same color as my hair, brown. It’s also In my hair. When I put something on it they don’t like, it will twirl up into a knot or twisted hair. I’ll try to attach pictures. Now for the truly nasty part of it – it’s also inside the body and will be inside of my bowel movements. Some will be sticking out and can be seen. If you look with a microscope, there’s small white ones, that are a little different than the larger translucent ones. This is an infestation for sure and needs to be seriously investigated. I’m not saying it’s a parasite, I’m just saying that it makes its home inside the human body and under the skin. I don’t think I can put a picture in this comment.
This worm is not swaying in the wind ! If u watch closely it goes all the way down several times and touches the wood and comes back up. If the wind was causing it to move the other ones would be moving as well. I have delt with this parasite for almost two years now! My understanding is it’s horse hair worm and yes it can enter the human body bc I along with 8 other people I kno have been dreadfully dealing with this horrible parasite that has taken over my life! I’m so tired of seeing post that say it has not been studied much but it’s harmless to humans! This is not true! It does affect humans and if it hasn’t been studied much how do they kno! I have lived with this Torturing my body for going on 2 years, and something needs to be done bc hundreds of people have this and nothing is being done about it! I see it in clothes and clothing stores, I see it almost everywhere I go and people pass it off as just lent at smaller stages! This is not lent it is going to end up being a pandemic if something isn’t done about it! It is in our clothing stores everywhere! Where is this coming from and why and how do u get rid of it ? It’s very serious and the Drs tell everyone they are nuts bc they don’t kno what it is! Something has got to be done about this!!!