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 ??? ??? ???
Hi Blue Bird,
I hope its not a New Zealand Flat Worm, I've heard some disturbing info about them.
Nenerover
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
Is this what you have?
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
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
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
Probably a Lob Worm
Now that is a new one on me - what is it ??? ???
The biggest sort of earthworm.
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.
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 :-*
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
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 ! ??? ??? ???
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.
They're still asking for reports, though I'm not sure whether it's compulsory or not. How is your worm population?
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.
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
thanks cornykev :D :D :D