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Hammer head worms #775680

Asked October 18, 2021, 10:59 AM EDT

Is there an effective treatment for ridding my yard of hammer head worms, that does not kill beneficial worms/insects?

Ingham County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello Lynda,

The below links have an image of a hammerhead worm

https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/lblack/articles/page<personal data hidden>17

http://extension.msstate.edu/newsletters/bug%E2%80%99s-eye-view/2019/hammerhead-flatworm-vol-5-no-

I want to verify that your image is a hammerhead worm. It gets its name because the head of the worm looks similar to the head of the hammerhead shark. The ones in the US usually have a dark horizontal stripe down their side. Due to the heat and humidity of their natural habitat, most Hammerhead worms are found in southern states. Although they are well established in Louisiana, Texas, and Florida, they were not believed to be in the central United States. However, one as long as 1 ft. was recently found as far north as Springfield, MO.

Does your image have a dark horizontal stripe down its side?

Please let me know - Thanks

An Ask Extension Expert Replied October 18, 2021, 6:18 PM EDT

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