07/02/2026
⚠️ Reports confirmed in Warrick County aka near Town of Newburgh Indiana ⚠️
Invasive hammerhead worms 🪱 (members of the Bipalium genus) are increasingly spotted in Indiana, particularly in warm, moist, and densely landscaped areas.
They are easily recognized by their. ♠️ spade or shovel-shaped heads and flattened bodies. Because they prey on beneficial earthworms, they pose a localized threat to soil health.
🔑 Key Details & Risks 🔑
• Toxicity ☣️: They produce a mild neurotoxin (tetrodotoxin) used to immobilize prey. While it is generally not life-threatening to humans or large pets, it can cause severe skin irritation, and is dangerous to pets if ingested.
• No Chopping 🪓: These worms can regenerate from incredibly small fragments. Never cut or crush a hammerhead worm, as doing so creates multiple new worms.
✨️ What To Do If You Find One ✨️
If you encounter a hammerhead worm in your yard, safely removing it requires specific precautions:
1. Do Not Touch With Bare Hands 🚫: Always wear gardening gloves or use a tool to handle them.
2. Proper Disposal 🗑: Place the worm into a sealed plastic bag. Add salt, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol to the bag to kill the worm quickly, then dispose of it in the trash.
3. Report the Sighting ☎️: Sightings can be reported to local authorities to help monitor the spread of invasive species. Log the location using the EDDMapS tracking platform or reach out directly to your local Purdue Extension Office for guidance.
