Overview

• Hammerhead worms secrete toxins causing skin irritation and are poisonous to pets if ingested.
• These invasive worms can regenerate when cut, making them difficult to eliminate.
• They prey on earthworms, essential for soil health, by using toxic slime to paralyze them.
• Experts advise handling with gloves and using salt, vinegar, or citrus oil to kill them safely.
• The worms, native to Asia, have spread across several US states through plant trade routes.