skip to main content

Vermicomposting

Worm preditor...How do I get rid of It???

18 years ago

I am a newbie here, and have been hanging around for a while reading all of your postings and learning a lot. I just want to say that I love this forum!!! I am so glad there are other people like me who enjoy earthworms.....My 3 yr old loves them and my hubby thinks I am nuts...lol Anyway, So I started my worm bin about a month ago, and all is going well. I plan on using my castings in my garden and around the yard. Well today we had a real gully washer of a rainstorm and as I was walking around after the rainstorm saving all the disoriented worms from the driveway...I found a planarian wrestling with an earthworm and quickly put it into a cup of bleach solution. I then was walking through the garden and found another, and at the same time my hubby found another on the driveway. I have read that these little critters will do much harm to earthworm populations. I am really worried that I have a whole lot of them around and want to know if there is any way to get rid of them!!! Please help! Thanks

Featured Answer

gracegarden

18 years ago

Hi,Christi!
It is very important to kill the flatworm. I did some research, and it seems they can reproduce from any little segment of their body. Grow new heads, etc. Science fiction stuff!!
See link below for interesting info. And unfortunately, according to this article, these predators can decimate our earthworm population.
Everyday we continue to learn how 'introduced species' are harming our environment.

Here is a link that might be useful: planaria (flatworm) info

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

Kelly_Slocum
18 years ago
Ok, hang on a moment; there really is no reason to panic, nor is there likely any reason to be overly concerned about the flatworms (planarians) you saw on your property, Christi. There are a few planarian species common to your area, and they've been there just about as long as have the earthworms. Like almost all predators, the planarian helps to keep earthworm populations in balance and is a beneficial part of a healthy ecosystem.

The planarian damage you read about is pretty well limited to Australia and areas of New Zealand and the UK, and is the result of highly competitive alien species being accidentially introduced into ecosystems with no predators to control their numbers. We don't have planarian problems in North America. The planarian activity you saw was normal ecosystem balancing, nothing more.

We enjoy and appreciate our earthworms, but we must remember that part of their function on this little planet is to serve as a food source for other organisms. What you saw after the rain in NC, Christi, were a few worms performing just as nature intended. All is right with the world! ::grin::

Kelly S
Related Discussions
How to get rid of cabbage worms?
Q
Comments (5)
Bt is very effective on cats that are half grown or less. So, you'll need to search-and-destroy the larger ones. And because none of your attacked crops need to be pollinated, you can use row cover now, as long as you lift the cover to search-and-destroy the larger ones every day until they're gone. Next season, put it on very loosely when you seed/transplant. This post was edited by jean001a on Sun, Jun 8, 14 at 19:03
...See More
how to get rid of inch/silk worms..
Q
Comments (1)
Bt is the chemical...crap wouldn't have posted this if i seen the other post a few below me..oops
...See More
Fire Ants: How do I know I have them and how do I get rid of them
Q
Comments (2)
Fire ants make mounds and not holes. The mounds start out small and become larger as the colony population increases. These mounds look rather innocent until you disturb them, and ALL of the ants boil out of the mound all at once. Again, there is never a discernible hole. I never worry about ants in my yard and garden, other than fire ants. Fire ants can be a problem for humans, pets, bird nests, beneficial insect eggs and larvae, and such.
...See More
Worms! Need help getting rid of them. LPink, Jasdip, anyone
Q
Comments (26)
With the mustard solution, worms come to the surface within 15 minutes. If they don't, wait a while and try it again another day. By worms "disappearing" it means they will die and decompose. In your garden it shouldn't be a problem. But if your dead worm concentration is too high, they will make a slimy mess in the pot. If you can repot, that's what I would do. I think that should take care of most of the problem. You can always get more red worms if you want to start composting. There is a lot of stuff online about worm composting. It's easy but you do have to keep at it or the worms will die. Dryness and high or low pH are the enemy of worms. But I don't know the ideal conditions for growing lemons, you wouldn't want to hurt your tree trying to get rid of the worms. Repotting seems like the easiest thing to do, or try the mustard treatment or an electrical probe, which I had never heard of! Cooperative Extension may be able to recommend a less toxic chemical treatment, one that breaks down easily. Pyrethrum is a good insecticide in that respect, but as I copied above, apparently it doesn't kill worms. Of course that is a GOOD thing if you are using it in your garden!
...See More
socks
18 years ago
Also, I wonder how good planarians are at digging. I'm thinkin' the earthworms are under the soil and safe unless they surface. Planarians could also eat slugs, and that would be a very good thing! Those planarians are probably food for something else....(sing) the circle, the circle of life!!
Christi_73
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for all the info....I really appreciate it. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't increasing the planarian numbers by trying to increase my earthworm numbers in my garden and yard. I guess they just freaked me out a little....Thanks again. I guess when you think about it, frogs are just as bad and we have a lot of those here too...lol
aeron
17 years ago
How can I acquire some of these flatworms?? My small lawn is ruined every year by earthworms. I re-seed 3x per year, only to watch it all get eaten/ruined by the earthworms. I have millions of them, and can't find a way to get rid of them (or at least reduce their numbers). I would like to introduce some planaria to keep things in balance. Any ideas how to get some?
mazer415
17 years ago
aeron, how do you figure the earthworms are ruining your lawn, chances are it is another pest which is feed on your sod, 99.9 percent of earthworms eat DECAYING matter, not lush green plants.
gardenfanatic2003
17 years ago
Aeron,

Earthworms don't hurt lawns, they help them by aerating the soil! Earthworms don't eat grass or grass roots. If you don't believe me, Google "earthworm diet". Grass won't be anywhere on the list. Something else is killing your lawn - but it's not earthworms!
edgman
17 years ago
Earthworms never hurt a lawn. In fact they help it. If you dont want them ship them up to me in MD Eastern shore.
HU-135156690
4 years ago
DO NOT TOUCH THE TOXIC FLATWORMS! THEY are predictors from New guinea. Toxic to HUMANS & PETS feet if they lick paws after stepping on them. CAUSE MENINGITIS& RAT LUNG DISEASE !!!! No predator known yet to get rid of them! IGNORE BAD ADVISE COMMENTS DANGEROUS TO ECO SYSTEM & HEALTH!Use Plastic gloves put in baggie pour in bleach seal bag and notify your local invasive government officeTHEYVE EVEN CAUSED SEVERE ILLNESS N POSSIBLE DEATH WHEN WENT TO BRAIN SOME ITHER COUNTRIES!
napapen
4 years ago
I also would report this to the cooperative extension in your area. These are bad news!!!!!!

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES How to Get Your Prairie On

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Have a field day with your landscape, even if you've got just a few modern containers on a paved path

GARDENING GUIDES Get on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)

By Matt Kilburn

Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places

ORGANIZING Want to Streamline Your Life? Get a System

By Glamour Nest

Reduce stress and free up more time for the things that really matter by establishing specific procedures for everyday tasks

GREEN BUILDING How to Recycle Your Kitchen

By Christine Tusher

Instead of adding to the junk pile — and paying landfill fees — get rid of old appliances, cabinets and countertops the ecofriendly way

WINTER GARDENING 6 Reasons I’m Not Looking Forward to Spring

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Not kicking up your heels anticipating rushes of spring color and garden catalogs? You’re not alone

REMODELING GUIDES 8 Lessons on Renovating a House from Someone Who's Living It

By Restoring our 1890 Victorian

So you think DIY remodeling is going to be fun? Here is one homeowner's list of what you may be getting yourself into

FEEL-GOOD HOME 21 Ways to Waste Less at Home

Whether it's herbs rotting in the fridge or clothes that never get worn, most of us waste too much. Here are ways to make a change

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops

By Marianne Lipanovich

This guide will help any gardener get started on growing the freshest warm-season veggies and berries for summer

LIFE The Top 5 Ways to Save Water at Home

Get on the fast track to preserving a valuable resource and saving money too with these smart, effective strategies

Sponsored

CHC & Family Developments

4 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

Sterilisation of eggs or cocoons

0

Kitchen Compost Material, how to manage it?

27

Long Trip For Worms

1