The Mississippi State University Extension Service is warning producers to be on the lookout for hammerhead worms after one of the invasive pests was recently spotted in Warren County.
According to MSU’s Warren County Extension office, hammerhead worms – which can grow up to a foot long and are known for their distinctive shovel- or hammer-shaped heads – pose concerns because they prey on earthworms, which are critical for healthy soils and productive gardens and farms.
Dr. Jermaine Perier, an MSU Extension entomologist specializing in vegetables, fruits, and nuts, warned residents not to handle hammerhead worms with bare hands.
“Their mucus can be an irritant, and some species produce neurotoxins,” Perier said.
Perier recommends using gloves or another barrier when disposing of hammerhead worms and cautioned that trying to kill them with a shovel or other garden tool will not work because the worms can regenerate from body fragments.
Instead, residents should place hammerhead worms in an airtight container to prevent escape before attempting disposal. Several methods can then be used to kill the worms, including adding salt or soapy water to the container, leaving the container in direct sunlight, or soaking the worms in ethanol, alcohol, or hand sanitizer.
Hammerhead worms are invasive to the U.S., with some species having been documented in the country as early as 1981. All sightings should be reported through Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System online so researchers can monitor their spread.