An invasive species of worms are back on the move in the United States, with reports of them being spotted in the southern part of the country, according to officials.
Officials in Texas and Georgia have shared that the worms, known as the hammerhead flatworm, have been reported coming out of their winter sleep across the states.
The Texas Invasive Species Institute shared that hammerhead flatworms pose a danger to animals, as it says the worms are toxic to some animals and are also a predator of Earthworms.
While the species is listed as invasive, it has been present in the country for some time, believed to have entered through landscaping materials in the early 1900s. Penn State Extension shares that the worms are native to Vietnam but first appeared in Texas after arriving in the US.
Since hitting US soil, experts say that the worms, which can grow up to more than a foot long, have exploded in population size throughout parts of the country with a warm, wet climate.
Efforts to eradicate the worms have been difficult, as few methods have shown positive results, the institute shared.
Still, those who spot the worms are encouraged to try eradicating them on their own, with physical removal and the use of citrus oil and vinegar being the most effective methods of killing the insects.
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