Latest news with #AdamIngle
New York Post
18-06-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Beware toxic, foot-long worms invading US — here's what to do if you see the ‘demonic flesh-eaters'
Stop, hammertime! Weeks of heavy rain have prompted a plague of massive, toxic hammerhead flatworms to erupt from the ground in North Texas, much to the chagrin of frightened locals. '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. 4 Adam Ingle vents about the flathead worms. NBCDFW 4 A video of the worms wriggling on the surface of the soil. @carliebenton/TikTok 4 The hammerhead worms were introduced to the US from Asia in the late 1800s. Sandra Burm – 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. 4 'Tear it in half, now you've got two worms,' said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller while warning of their regenerative capabilities. Craig – 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.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Flesh-eating 'demonic' worms that could irritate human skin invade major US city
Hoards of flesh-eating worms have erupted from the ground in Texas, terrifying local residents. The invasive hammerhead worms — which can grow up to a foot long — came to the surface in the Dallas-Forth Worth and Houston area after heavy rain, prompting a barrage of posts on social media. One user proclaimed the worms were 'demonic', while a second said 'Houston, we have a problem!' The worms are generally not dangerous to humans, although their skin contains a toxin called tetrodotoxin that can cause a rash if they are touched. But they pose a significant risk to local plants and wildlife, with the giant worms being predators that feast on native earthworms, slugs and snails. Pets are also at risk, experts warn, with dogs who eat the worms throwing up shortly afterward because of the toxins. The worms have been in the US for decades after arriving from Southeast Asia, but only started to turn up in Texas in the last few decades. Adam Ingle, a resident of Keller, outside Fort Worth, told local station NBC5: 'I noticed it's head had a hammer shape, and that was terrifying, like, these are truly end times, even the worms are demonic.' Another Texan, Elle who lives in Houston, posted a video of one of the worms slithering along a screen at her house saying it was 'scary'. Bev Bar, a Texas resident, also posted: 'Bad news. I found a hammerhead worm this morning on a sidewalk. Pretty thoroughly grossed out. 'It is small, but its tiny hammerhead is unmistakable. Keep a vigilant eye out for these troublemakers. Especially for pet safety.' Austin local Chris Girard said: 'I found three of these hammerhead worms on my front porch! 'They are toxic to the touch and are harmful to humans and pets alike. I killed these with salt... they shriveled up quickly. Eyes open!' The Texas Invasive Species Institute advises killing these worms immediately to protect local wildlife. But it advises against chopping them in half, saying the sections can survive and form two new worms — with one growing a new head. Instead, they say people should spray them with vinegar, place them in a plastic bag with salt or vinegar or put them in the freezer. They advise people to ensure they use gloves or a paper towel before trying to move the worms to avoid skin irritation. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said: 'If you see one, you won't mistake it — it's over a foot long, about 12 to 15 inches. 'It's big, wide head on it, like a hammer, just like it says. 'The thing people need to know is don't kill it, don't squish it, don't cut it up, because it makes three or four more worms. It's asexual reproduction. Tear it in half, now you've got two worms.' Hammerhead worms have been reported throughout Texas, particularly in hot and humid areas like the Gulf Coast and Southeast Texas. It isn't clear how many of them are in the state. Heavy rainfall can 'flush out' the worms if it causes the soil to become water-logged, which makes it difficult for the worms to breathe or move effectively — forcing them to the surface.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Toxic Hammerhead Worms Surge In DFW After Heavy Rains
Recent heavy rainfall across North Texas has led to a surge in sightings of toxic, invasive hammerhead worms, prompting concern among residents and experts about their threat to plants, animals, and potentially humans. The hammerhead worm, an invasive species from Southeast Asia known as Bipalium kewense, has been reported in counties throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Recognizable by its distinctive hammer-shaped head and snake-like body, the worm can grow up to 15 inches long, though it typically measures 8 to 12 inches. Its light or honey-colored body often features one to five dark dorsal stripes. Adam Ingle, a Keller resident, encountered one on his porch. 'And then noticed its head had a hammer shape,' Ingle said, NBC 5 DFW reported. 'And it was terrifying, like these are truly the end times, even the worms are demonic.' Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller described the worm's appearance: 'If you see one, you won't mistake it, it's over a foot long, about 12, 15 inches long. It's got a big, wide head on it, like a hammer, I mean, just like it says.' The hammerhead worm poses a significant ecological threat as a predator of earthworms, which are vital for healthy soil in forests, crops, gardens, and compost piles. Its skin secretes a neurotoxin that can cause rashes in humans and harm animals if ingested. The worm may also carry parasitic nematodes, adding to its danger. Killing the worm requires caution due to its ability to regenerate. 'The thing people need to know is don't kill it, don't squish it, don't cut it up, because it makes three or four more worms, it's asexual reproduction,' Miller said, per NBC 5. 'Tear it in half, now you've got two worms.' Experts recommend placing the worm in a sealed bag with salt or vinegar, freezing it for up to 48 hours, or spraying it with a mixture of citrus oil and vinegar. Handling should be done with gloves, a paper towel, or a stick. Then, wash hands in warm, soapy water and rinse with alcohol or hand disinfectant. Sightings should be reported to the Texas Invasive Species Institute. First introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s, likely through horticultural plants, the hammerhead worm thrives in hot, humid environments like greenhouses and has spread to tropical and subtropical regions, including Texas. It has been reported from Orange to Uvalde, numerous Gulf Coastal counties, and the DFW area through East Texas. The worms are often found under leaf litter, rocks, or shrubs during the day and may appear on soil, driveways, or sidewalks after heavy rains. Concerned for his dog, children, and garden, Ingle said he's staying vigilant: 'To try to get rid of it. Because I've got a dog, I've got little kids, and I've got a garden, so this thing hates all of those things,' NBC 5 reported. Experts say continuous removal of hammerhead worms is critical to protecting native earthworm populations and mitigating their ecological impact.
