Residents in the DFW metroplex, including Pantego, are urged to watch for large, invasive hammerhead worms. These flatworms have a wide, spade-shaped head, grow 8–15 inches long, and appear gray, brown, gold, or green. They produce a toxin called tetrodotoxin, which can irritate skin and cause nausea or vomiting in pets. Do not touch them with bare hands. Safely dispose of them by:
- Wearing gloves or using a tool to pick them up.
- Sealing them in a container.
- Freezing for 48 hours or covering with salt and vinegar.
Keep pets and children away, and never cut the worms, as they can reproduce from fragments. They are often found in damp soil,…..