All of the recent rain we've been having has been pretty nice. The temps have been below triple digits, and our grass is getting the moisture it needs to hopefully prevent widespread fires.
However, there is a negative effect: the appearance of the hammerhead flatworms.
As more rain falls, more of these worms will be flushed out.
Hammerhead flatworms are about a foot long, can cause skin irritation if touched by human skin, and are known to carry parasites.
Also, they're hard to kill. The worms are known to regenerate if cut in half. So instead of one hammerhead worm, you end up with two!
Ashley Morgan-Olvera, M.S., of the Texas Invasive Species Institute told KHOU that the best way to dispose of these worms is to put on a pair of gloves and place the worms in a plastic bag with salt and vinegar or citrus oil and put them in the freezer overnight.
Even after death, the worms can still secrete toxins, so Morgan-Olvera says that if you do touch it, rinse the affected area with soap and water, followed by a douse of hand sanitizer.
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