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They are members of the nematode family (long, unsegmented parasitic worms found in both soil and water).

Do horsehair worms become snakes?īy Joshua Heston These small creatures are not, however, snakes at all. The worms often squirm and twist in the water, knotting themselves into a loose, ball-like shape, resembling the “Gordian Knot.” Another name for the horsehair worm is the Gordian worm. Horsehair worms are white when they first emerge from the host’s body but turn yellowish-tan to brownish-black after a short time. How do you know if you have a horsehair worm? This pest most likely got into your home or toilet through an insect, such as a cricket or cockroach who ingested a string of eggs in a nearby pond. Horsehair Worms in my Toilet You may observe horsehair worms knotted up into a ball. Gordian worms are parasitic to insects, such as grasshoppers, crickets and beetles. Are horsehair worms bad?Īre Gordian Worms Harmful to Humans? Although Gordian worms may look harmful, they are not parasitic to humans, pets or plants. If your home is moist enough to draw them in, even on non-rainy days, you might want to invest in a dehumidifier, at least for the dampest spaces in your home. They thrive in warm, damp environments, like bathrooms and basements. Why is my house infested with worms?Īccording to Hunker, worms love moisture. Horsehair worms may be found inside homes in toilets causing people to be concerned that it is a human parasite. They are especially noticeable after a rainfall. Horsehair worms are often seen in puddles and other pools of fresh water, swimming pools, water tanks and on plants.

One of the most common species in the United States in Gordius robustus. Horsehair worms are insect parasites that belong to the phylum Nematomorpha. They are not parasites of humans, livestock, or pets and pose no public health threat. When mature, they leave the host to lay eggs. Horsehair worms develop as parasites in the bodies of grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches, and some beetles. If the worms occur in swimming pools, they can be removed by hand or with a net. Use a fine mesh filter if pumping water from a surface supply such as a canal or pond. If the worms are found in livestock water troughs, the water can be kept clean with routine flushing.