As you might have noticed as you perused our site, we’re big fans of fishing. Being on the Gulf Coast of Florida, we have many opportunities to spin our rods and reels. In fact, our fearless leader, Dean Burnside, is sometimes the first one out the door and to the shore.

The second biggest topic most fishermen expound on after they’ve regaled us with tales of the ones they caught and got away, is their favorite fishing spots and bait.

Artificial, hand-tied flies top most men’s lists. But more than a few still dabble in bread, squid, shrimp, insects and the old cliché standby, worms.

But there’s one worm you should never try to put on your hook.

Toxic Terrestrial Flatworms

Broadhead planarians invaded the United States likely stowed away in shipping containers from their native Asian homes. They seem to have been first spotted in California around 1943, or much earlier in New Orleans, depending on which reports you favor.

For years, they were content to linger on the west coast. Unfortunately, slowly but surely they made their way to the Midwest, and in recent years, New York and Northern Florida. And now to us.

The worms get their common name – hammerhead worms – from the wide, rectangular shape of their heads. They look very much like the Ithorians on Tatooine in the first Star Wars film, but thankfully not walking around on two feet. And the hammerhead shark? Also not to be trifled with.

It’s kind of surprising these creatures didn’t get to Florida sooner. They thrive on the high humidity of their native tropical forest origins and live in the moist soil found under shrubs, leaves and twigs, and larger logs.

They’re generally around 3-4 inches long, light brown with a black stripe down the length, but can grow up to 11 inches. Like earthworms, they come out after the rain and every piece of their bodies can regenerate a whole new worm.

Doubly Dangerous

Hammerhead worms are not to be trifled with. They are carnivorous and their favorite food is earthworms. As we mentioned, you can’t just chop them up – they’ll grow again. And if you try to pick one up, you’ll get hit with the neurotoxins their outer covering exudes.

The neurotoxin, known as tetrodotoxin – similar to the toxin in pufferfish – is effective at stunning their prey, which is usually standard earthworms. The neurotoxin can cause a bit of a rash on humans who touch it. Some may also have an irritation of the eyes and mouth. It’s not horrible, but annoying enough to opt for latex gloves if you need to handle them. Those with high susceptibility to allergies might be more affected.

Another danger is in ingesting the hammerhead worms. Humans aren’t likely to make that mistake – although if they do, they have a bad taste and will possibly cause some indigestion. Pets, however, are more likely to gobble one or two up without a second thought, and that can lead to digestive issues, especially for dogs.

As a reminder, don’t simply cut the planarians into pieces – that only multiplies the problem. You can try crushing them with your heel or applying a cleaning solvent.

A mixture of citrus oil and salt will adversely affect the hammerhead worms. A solution of citrus oil and vinegar can also be sprayed or applied. If all you have is vinegar, put some in a Ziplock bag and scoop the worm into the bag and seal it. With or without the sun, they’ll quickly dry and die out.

While these creatures can be annoying, there’s no need to call a professional. Save that call for when you run into roaches, ants, spiders or silverfish in your home. Our Go Green Perimeter Plus takes care of those pests quickly and affordably, while keeping your family and pets safe. For more details, please give us a call! In the meantime, keep on fishin’!