New Zealand flatworms

[Terryr]

Hi there

Following the last two severe winters with sub-zero temperatures I have not seen a single flatworm in my garden or compost heaps. I did find one in my greenhouse. Has anyone else made this observation? I had a look on the net and found a scientific paper which stated that they could not tolerate -2 degrees C and this would lead to their demise. However, no sign yet of worms returning in numbers. Fingers crossed the flatworms have been decimated.

Terryr

[pauco]

Hi there

Following the last two severe winters with sub-zero temperatures I have not seen a single flatworm in my garden or compost heaps. I did find one in my greenhouse. Has anyone else made this observation? I had a look on the net and found a scientific paper which stated that they could not tolerate -2 degrees C and this would lead to their demise. However, no sign yet of worms returning in numbers. Fingers crossed the flatworms have been decimated.

Terryr

Or they could have Emigrated

[snohare]

I saw one last summer...but that was only one, and the only one I've seen in ages. I think you are right, I certainly was seeing them plenty before the hard winters.
Thanks for posting, that has made my day !

[Snadger]

Or they could have Emigrated

Went home to New Zealand for the winter?

[ginger ninger]

There nasty little creatures that eat our native earth worms so I'm glad I haven't any in my garden, if I had they would be dispatched. Have a look at this link.

But on the other hand...I have lot's of lovely earthworms and compost worms in my garden going about there business .

[Terryr]

Ginger

I have had a look at every link available for these little b******. If it was so easy to get rid of them evryone who has them would have . My veggie plot is almost completely lacking in earthworms. Still plenty in aother areas of the garden. Snohare and I and all of the other gardeners who have them will be opening a bottle of something sparkling if they have really been exterminated.

Best Wishes
Terryr

[Aberdeenplotter]

Just found this thread which was ongoing whilst I was on holiday. Horrible bloody things and they have devestated the population of earthworms in my plot. it seems to be cyclable. The NZ worms diminish once they have destroyed the earthworms. When you repopulate by introducing copious ampounts of fym, they reappear and then the same cyce repeats. The cold weather up here didn't adestroy mine.

[snohare]

Supposedly the little black ground beetles will predate Flatties, so leaving little piles of stones where the two will lurk and meet up for dinner is a good idea. ;-)
My policy on New Zealand flatworms is...no mercy whatsoever. Do what it takes.

[Ananke]

I was advised yesterday that 4 of these NZ Flatworms have been found on our site, all on one plot. Haven't had a chance yet but will read up on them over the weekend.

My plot is jam packed with big, fat, jucy earthworms and these things sound like a nightmare

[Snadger]

One of the plots on our site had them. They made a good gardener give up his plot and every other plotholder frightened to go near it.

[snohare]

From what I've heard, this is one instance of "a tidy plot is a doomed plot". They will lurk anywhere a slug can, so there are lots of hiding places for them, even on a very well kept plot. But their main predators in this country, the little black beetles that you see running about, need piles of stones and the like to lurk under. If you tidy up all your loose stones....you are probably on the back foot from word go.
But really, it is a case of keep an eagle eye open, and hammer them as soon as you see any; don't let the numbers build up in the first place. Make sure you have those beetles around from the word go...because once there are too many kiwi flatties, they will continually outreproduce the beetles.
I'd love to hear of anyone who has had experience of these, and the success or otherwise of attempts to control them.

[Snadger]

I think these are so prolific now that they aren't legally notifiable pests anymore?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Spot on Snadge. By the way, one of the best ways to capture them is to leave a carrier bag with some sand/soil in it lying on the ground. They like to hide under such items and then you can lift them off and drop them in a bath of boiling water. yes that is how it is recommended to kill them. Personally, I find that neat ***** fluid does the trick

[snohare]

Boiling water's too good for 'em ! Bring back hanging, I say...

[Terryr]

Hi Guys

I started this thread with my observations after the winter before last. I did not see any more through last year though there were a lack of worms in my veggie plot. However, I have found three (when I was not looking for them) since the start of this year. We had a very mild winter here in Paisley so that was probably bad news. I also understand that their egg capsules which look like small blackcurrants can remain dormant for some time and they might overwinter that way. They are now such a serious pest in Scotland that agricultural pasture land is becoming compacted and therefore poor grazing due to the lack of earthworms. You would think that someone would came up with a form of parasitic control of these flatworms similar to those that are availabale for other pests.
I just squash them when I find them.

Terryr