I have just found flatworms on my allotment today.They where in a bed that i had covered in manure during the autumn.The other beds that didn't have manure applied are not showing any evidence of them.Is there any way of eradicating them, my allotment is in Carrickfergus Northern Ireland.
Carpet tiles going well, although I keep crushing flatworms up to a dozen a week after 1year there's a marked increase in earthworms, worth persevering
I found 4 today under slabs I was hosing and immediately killed them. What I was told was a flat worm is long thin 1 - 1.5 cms, brown and appear to have tiny caterpillar type legs. I've been killing them. What are they? Sorry I didn't photograph the flatworms I killed but I've only just found this web site.
The picture at top of his article is pretty typical , I've never found any not curled up band slimy, no legs don't know what your kiling but it's not flatworms. T.he adults can easily bee 6 cm
Not enough is being done to control New Zealand flatworms - all research seems dated. What happened to the research into their native predators / parasites? Some dna mapping is taking place but what good will that do? Years ago researchers said there was a midge from Tasmania that parasitises NZFs - what happened to research into this? Isn't capturing and destroying them a waste of time since they can reproduce by parthenogenesis? Also, when a predator is removed from a territory - more from the surrounding area will move in. Here in Aberdeen at our allotment site we have hardly any earthworms, and wildlife (blackbirds, starlings, hedgehogs) must also be affected. DEFRA should be doing more!
Mel here,have just found them on my allotment,in Dartmouth, Devon, still have good numbers of earthworms, but for how much longer? The allotments were uncultivated till we got them just over a year ago. I'm one of the few holders who uses organic methods, so am worried that the chemicals, ie slug pellets will poison the soil and habitat that attract ground beetles, who may be flat worm preditors!
perth-put down heavy plastic,old carpet etc with a bit of weight on it,check on it frequently.worms are nocturnal and like damp cool areas to hide. tell tales are circular slime patches...the worms can be tiny 1cm to6 or 7.they allways curl up and expose a light pinkish frill and look like a bit of slime,they stick to just about anything and are easy to pick up,you must totally mash them!!!! eggs are shiny black about 4mm.i find and kill them almost daily but the earthworms are on the increase,tell your neighbours because they will have them if u do.beware dogs will eat the mashed worms and will be sick ours is currently very ill with suspected poisoning!
Out of interest, is the places where people are finding flat worms, sandy soil? I have heavy clay (though getting well loamed with time) and no flat worms. Have loads of earthworms and no sign (yet) of NZ Flatworms.
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OOh, I didn't know flat worms had got this far up (I live near Forres,Morayshire), so will be keeping a sharp eye out for them Wyrtweard...
Gerry
Gerry Court, the creature you are describing sounds like flat-backed millipede. These are lovely, beneficial creatures. Information here
The allotments were uncultivated till we got them just over a year ago.
I'm one of the few holders who uses organic methods, so am worried that the chemicals, ie slug pellets will poison the soil and habitat that attract ground beetles, who may be flat worm preditors!
perth-put down heavy plastic,old carpet etc with a bit of weight on it,check on it frequently.worms are nocturnal and like damp cool areas to hide. tell tales are circular slime patches...the worms can be tiny 1cm to6 or 7.they allways curl up and expose a light pinkish frill and look like a bit of slime,they stick to just about anything and are easy to pick up,you must totally mash them!!!! eggs are shiny black about 4mm.i find and kill them almost daily but the earthworms are on the increase,tell your neighbours because they will have them if u do.beware dogs will eat the mashed worms and will be sick ours is currently very ill with suspected poisoning!
Out of interest, is the places where people are finding flat worms, sandy soil? I have heavy clay (though getting well loamed with time) and no flat worms. Have loads of earthworms and no sign (yet) of NZ Flatworms.