New Zealand Flatworm

Morning all, I am new to this forum, and this is my first post. I have been lurking a while though. Great reading all the posts and help everyone gives to each other.

The reason I finally created an account and posted this is because of a discovery last night.

I am expecting delivery of a new greenhouse, that requires the relocation of my compost bin.

During the compost bin removal, I have found eggs that I believe are New Zealand flatworm eggs - 1000's of eggs!

It would be impossible to pick them out, there are masses of them. All black, shiny and 5-6mm across.

I am after some advice what steps to take?

Do I just let them be, population will outstrip food supply and most will naturally perish?

Do I dispose of all the compost I can (hundreds would remain in the surrounding soil)?

Do I pour boiling water over as much as I can? Would it penetrate deep enough to kill a good proportion?

Or anything else you can think of that might help?

I have never encountered a flatworm in the garden before, though worm population has always been relatively low - maybe they have lived in the soil years without detection!

 

I don't think I would know what flatworm eggs look like.

 

I take it, by your horror, that you aren’t living in New Zealand.

I first saw these beasties in my London garden in about 1986. They haven’t taken over the planet yet, so far as I know. I wouldn’t fret too much.

 

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

I will take some photos this evening and post, didn't think to last night I just noted they looked unusual and then took to Google a little later.

I am based on the West coast on Wirral, near Liverpool/Chester - nowhere near New Zealand

 

My first thought would be to spread the compost out onto a plastic sheet, time consuming and a pain I know, then let the birds get at it and the sun and wind dry it out; the egg cocoons should either get eaten or desiccate.

 

So... confession time... I think I have been panicking over nothing.

See attached photo that I have just taken, this is what I thought was New Zealand Flatworm eggs.... Turns out around 6 months ago, my children poured some water beads (orbeez) into my compost. These are colourful little water absorbing beads, these in time have turned black in colour.

I only realised when I squished one of the beads this evening to photo the content for this forum.

I feel a complete fool, but though best to be honest! ‍♂️

 

Personally I would ditch the boiling water idea. Unlikely to be effective and will harm other beneficial creatures along the way. I like @NigelJ's idea. A natural solution.

 

Ah ha! Problem solved. That's kids for ya! Always up to something or other.

 

I think I found similar earlier in the year and couldn't work out what they were, I dried them out and then rehydrated them and then with a bit of help found out it was something kids mess around with these days.

They had me confused as well.

 

Welcome to GC RobJew. You won't be the first or last gardener to be caught out like this as Pete has said above. Don't worry about feeling foolish it's best to err on the side of caution.

 

The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked @RobJew .

Perhaps have a word with the kids- next time they fancy putting 'stuff' in your compost bin - they'll be going in as well ...

Joking apart - if they do what they're supposed to do, that won't be very helpful in the compost bin, especially if you're in one of those hot, dry areas. Fine for me with our permanently wet bins, but not so good for those that have to add water to dry compost bins.

 

Just saw this today in the local paper…


Water beads - more dangerous than flatworms, apparently.

 

The ones they poured into my compost were recalled by Amazon.

I can't imagine them doing too much damage now I know what they are.