[celtbhoy]

i was digging over my well rotted horse manure/compost yesterday and came across a thing that looked like a slug but it was about 3>4 in long and flat! any ideas what it is??? :?:

[richyrich7]

Not one of them flat worm thingys is it ? supposed to be working their way into mainland UK eating all the wormses. Any chance of Pic's please ?

[celtbhoy]

don't think so it looks like a slug..
i killed them so pic is out the window,if i see more i'll post pic
CB

[WG.]

I'd be concerned that richy is correct.   Did it look like anything like this?

[Aunt Sally]

I WOULD BE VERY CONCERNED  :shock:   They are really nasty

Look here : http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/flatworm.htm

[celtbhoy]

I'd be concerned that richy is correct.   Did it look like anything like this?

absolutely thats the f.....s..

what next? :shock:

[WG.]

what next? :shock:

That is very very bad news.

Give up any plans you had to keep a worm farm, I'm afraid.  Do not touch them with your bare hands.  Do not give anyone potted plants from your garden.  They may even be notifiable in your area - check with Defra or equivalent in Eire.

As far as I am aware, there is no cure for them, only certain controls you can make.   They are a litter dweller so you can clear up any leaf and other litter which will harbour them.

Have a look on Google for New Zealand Flat Worm and see what hints and tips you can come up with.

[Aunt Sally]

Look here : http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/flatworm.htm

There are no approved chemical controls, but Ground and  Rove beetle adults and larve are known to prey on the adults.

I'm glad you live a long way from me and lots of water in between :cry:

[celtbhoy]

i killed them with slug pellets..

[richyrich7]

Glad you didnt chop em up unlike worms flatworms can regenerate from "bits".  
How did the slug pellets work? did you hit em with the container  

[WG.]

i killed them with slug pellets..

 :?:  :?:  If that is really the case then I'd start selling the idea to the Faroese.  They've been trying to get rid of them for many years now.

Apparently flat worms are intolerant of temperatures much above 20degs C and that is why they've proven to be such a problem in the Faroes.

[WG.]

Glad you didnt chop em up unlike worms flatworms can regenerate from "bits".  

With 7 kids, I am willing to believe anything you tell me about regeneration ...  

[shaun]

what the hell is that yoke best to burn em me thinks :shock:

[ziggywigs]

Phew,  i'm glad i haven't seen any of these.

WG why not handle them...do they bite?

[shaun]

i think they would make a good bait for catfish cus finding leeches is getting harder