[BumbleJo]

Hi folks, I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered worms in their sprouts.  After fairly successfully fighting off the cabbage whites and the sprouts looking really good we've been harvesting the first ones only to find little pink worms fairly well embedded in them.   I peeled and peeled and still they were there until quite frankly I feel like chucking the lot.  It's quite surprising to me they can even get up that far.  Thoughts welcome..

[bravemurphy]

Soak them in salt water?

[Gardener and Rabbit]

Are they worms, or maggots? The maggots of the cabbage root fly can burrow into sprouts, and sometimes have a slight pinkish tinge, although normally described as white. Can certainly spoil the crop, and leave you feeling that brassicas just aren't worth the trouble. You might find the sprouts higher up the plants are still ok.

[BumbleJo]

Are they worms, or maggots? The maggots of the cabbage root fly can burrow into sprouts, and sometimes have a slight pinkish tinge, although normally described as white. Can certainly spoil the crop, and leave you feeling that brassicas just aren't worth the trouble. You might find the sprouts higher up the plants are still ok.

no I think these are definitely worms, have a look at the pic.  I can't anymore..!

[al78]

Treat them as extra protein. 

[snow white]

Chicken food.  :-)

[jaydig]

They look like the little red worms that live in compost. I've forgotten what they're called.

[BabbyAnn]

They look like the little red worms that live in compost. I've forgotten what they're called.

brandling or tiger worms?

Hi folks, I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered worms in their sprouts.  After fairly successfully fighting off the cabbage whites and the sprouts looking really good we've been harvesting the first ones only to find little pink worms fairly well embedded in them.   I peeled and peeled and still they were there until quite frankly I feel like chucking the lot.  It's quite surprising to me they can even get up that far.  Thoughts welcome..

I've never come across that before - looking at the photograph, I think I'd be put off eating them as well    I wonder what they are?  I can't believe they are brandling worms ...

[bravemurphy]

I got to be honest I get a fair few in my cabbages never in sprouts tho.

[BumbleJo]

Thanks folks, hubby thinks they are branding worms as well.  May try some further up the stalks, maybe after a frost? That might see em off.. Love seeing them in the soil but not in my dinner!

[snowdrops]

Look like branding worms to me but I'm more worried about the bright light coming off that top sprout, is it a new being to follow or is it a toxic gas being given off?