What kind of worm could this be?

[sandih]

I will try to get a picture, but twice I have seen this strange creature. Initially it looks like a very long earthworm but on closer inspection you can see it's very flat and very sticky on the surface. If you pick it up it will stick to your hand. Also, the head it quite flat and when it is moving, the head actually protrudes more (like a snail's would) but it's shaped like a hammer-head shark....I kid you not. Both times I've seen this was right under my faucet where it stays pretty wet.
The skin is pink and transparent with a long dark strip down the length of the body. I can't tell if the 'stripe' is internal or not.

I have looked in bug books and even reptile books but no luck. I've done searches on the internet with no luck.

As I described it to my husband he asked if I really saw this in my dreams...no, just in my garden.

Anyone want to play detective with me?

[sandih]

So far, it looks like an aquatic worm of some sort.

[khwoz]

See if this is it

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=391

[RHE]

I belive it is a "land planarian Bipalium kewense Moseley" worm. They have a black flat head with a pink body. There is a black stripe running down the body.

[sandih]

OMG, KHWOZ!! You are correct, and I did check Howard's library but didn't see that. That is exactly it. It only eats earthworms, oh my! I guess I know what I have to do next time I see it.

[Dirt Doctor]

The flat worm is very destructive. It/they should be completly destroyed with orange oil or strong vinegar. When cut up the pieces will grow back into more of the beasts.

[sandih]

Thanks Howard. I am on the look out for them. I have seen only 2 but did not destroy them cause I didn't know until now how horrible they are.

[sandih]

Yuck, just killed 4 of them. They are so gross.

[bgdug]

I had just taken a picture of one of these yesterday and was going to try to get help figuring out what it was. So far I've seen 3 of them and have killed them everytime. The question I have now is, what's the best way to kill them without harming the earthworms. The orange oil isn't good for the earthworms either, so I don't want to just go around putting orange oil everywhere, but if I can't get to them while they are in the ground, how else can it be done? The only times I've seen them is when using the Fireant Soil drench to go after fireants, which causes both this worm and earthworms to surface. I've never used vinegar to kill pests, does it harm the earthworms too? Maybe I've just got to go out every morning and look for them.

[sandih]

I think you have to kill them when you see them. I don't think there's anything you can broadcast in your yard that would killl them and not harm other things, like you mentioned. I just take care of them when they emerge.

Love to hear other opinions on this!

[Nadine]

For a picture of one that I took a few years ago and for more information on this beast:

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=972