Hammerhead worm - Courtesy of James Lees and the Hamilton Conservation Authority
The hammerhead worm, native to Southeast Asia has made its way to our area via imported plants packed in soil.
It can secrete toxins which can cause skin irritations on humans or bring about vomiting in pets.
Vincent La Tassa, a Program Development Coordinator for the Invasive Species Centre, tells us how to recognize this foreign visitor.
La Tassa urges people to take pictures of the worm which has a rounded head larger than its flat body, and to report the sightings to eddmaps.org or inaturalist.org.
He also advises killing the worms by placing them in a sealed container in the sunlight for a few days to let the heat do its work.
He stresses avoiding the natural instinct to cut them up.
He also advises wearing gloves when handling a hammerhead worm and to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Story by Brian Turner