Gardeners need to watch out for these 2 worms in Ontario. Here’s why

Hammerhead worms, which can produce a known paralyzing toxin, have been sighted in some ecospaces across Ontario is recent times.

Two potentially destructive worms not native to Ontario have been spotted in the province and an expert says it’s something local gardeners should be on the lookout for.

One worm species is native to Southeast Asia and secretes a neurotoxin that can cause skin tingling or even rashes when touched.

The other is originally from East-Central Asia and can leave soil quality degraded, quickly reproducing and outcompeting the bugs that improve soil quality. Some can even jump as much as a foot into the air.

St. Thomas resident Jessica Fugard says she’s no stranger to worms, having handled her share over the years as the daughter of a fisherman.

But even Fugard admits the sight of a Hammerhead Worm in her garden this April was a bit of an eye-opener having never seen one before.

“At first, honestly, it looked like a leech, because you could see that it was flat (and) it was moving really slow,” she recalls. “When I found it, it was actually eating a snail.”

Characterizing the find as “exciting,” Fugard snapped some pictures and attempted to capture it.

“I went inside … to go find something to grab it with, came back out and it was gone,” she said.