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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Blue Bird on January 29, 2007, 20:00:51
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Yesterday when I was digging a trench for my respberry canes I came across a large worm that seemed to have a flat head it was about 3 inch long and about as fat as a thin pencil (sorry but best description I can come up with) Any ideas or is it just a normal earth worm ??? ??? ???
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Hi Blue Bird,
I hope its not a New Zealand Flat Worm, I've heard some disturbing info about them.
Nenerover
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Sounds like a New Zealand Flatworm. Have a look on 'Pests and Deceases' there is a thread there about Dead Worms, and it takes in a type of worm that sounds like yours. I think you have to report them to somebody.
Rosemary
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Is this what you have?
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If you have these - inform the authorities - and then move!!
They are already in Northern Ireland and Scotland and you are not that far as the crow flies!!!
These are serious dudes!
Louise
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Gardening Organic (HDRA) says no need to panic re flatworms:
The presence of New Zealand flatworms in well-maintained gardens does not seem to be quite such a disaster as first thought. In Northern Ireland, one organic smallholder has co-existed with this creature for about 12 years. He has managed to trap and destroy large numbers of flatworm. This has enabled his earthworm population to re-establish itself. Regular additions of large quantities of organic material have created such a healthy soil that a temporary reduction in earthworm population has been tolerable.
Heres the link:
http://www.organicgardening.org.uk/factsheets/pc21.php
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Thanks for all the information - Deb P thank goodness they do not look quite like that not pointed at the end and as flat Next one I find I will ask at the local nursery just to make sure
thanks again to all your responses
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Probably a Lob Worm
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Now that is a new one on me - what is it ??? ???
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The biggest sort of earthworm.
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I dug out a Fuscia bush one time and came across a worm well over a foot long. Lob? More than likely, but it's the only one I've ever come across......I put it back of course.
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looking at the worm think it is more likely to be the LOB - reaaly please it is not the NZ flatworm looked it up and it is a real problem if I had them !!
thnaks for all your help on this everyone :-*
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It definitely sounds like a lob worm there is a picture here if you want to confirm it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Regenwurm1.jpg
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Thanks that is it !!!!!!!!!!!
but now come across another different worm today - do not believe it this one is about 1 1/2 inches long and an Orange colour and pointed at each end defiantly not the ZN flat worm as the ends are very pointed any ideas ! ??? ??? ???
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I have the NZ flat worm in my garden. It isn't necessary to report it - I think at one time you were asked to as they were collecting data, but it was a request rather than an order. I check under bin bags, bins, etc. which are near to the compost heap most days, then scoop up any NZ flat worms that I find and put them in salty water. I can also recognise the egg (yes, just one) which they lay. There is about 4-5 small worms per egg.
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They're still asking for reports, though I'm not sure whether it's compulsory or not. How is your worm population?
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I certainly have worms in the front garden and the "compost worms" in the heap. I spoke to a guy about five years back at Gardening Scotland who was collecting data, took my name, address, etc. He did suggest I told the neighbours, which I did and not to pass on any plants dug directly out of the garden.
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Thats good news Bluebird, but the orange one sounds like the great poisonous orange worm from deepest Africa and should not be touched and reported straight away. :'( :'(
ONLY JOKING good luck. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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thanks cornykev :D :D :D