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Poisonous hammerhead flatworms that multiply when cut are back in Texas

Hammerhead flatworm
Hammerhead flatworm
Getty Images/samuel howell

You know this is all we need, one more thing to worry about when we're trying to enjoy our day.

Texas has seen a resurgence in the appearance of hammerhead flatworms, poisonous worms that MULTIPLY when you try to cut them.


The toxic worms were spotted in Houston last month, with some also spotted in the Forney-Crandall area.

According to the Texas Invasive Species Institute, hammerhead flatworms secrete poisonous chemicals very similar to those of pufferfish to threaten predators.

Touching one can irritate human skin, and are noxious to domestic mammals, including dogs and cats, if consumed.

If you encounter one in the wild, do not try to remove it with your bare skin; wear gloves, or use a stick or paper towels.

It's best to dispose of the worm entirely, as they also pose a threat to earthworms.  The TISI recommends spraying the worms with citrus oil and vinegar.

The institute's website reads, "Continuous removal of these invasive flatworms is necessary for the protection of naturalized earthworm populations."

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