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Invasive hammerhead worms spotted in Tenn.; here's how experts say to handle them
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Jack Susanin , NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 20, 2026
· 1 min read
A toxic worm species is being spotted across Tennessee, officials warned. The hammerhead worms prey on earthworms, which are essential to keeping soil healthy, according to Protect Tennessee Forests . The worms have a distinct half-moon-shaped head with flat, ribbon-like bodies. They are usually ...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Jack Susanin, NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 20, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The hammerhead worms prey on earthworms, which are essential to keeping soil healthy, according to Protect Tennessee Forests .
Why this matters in The Nashville
The presence of hammerhead worms in Tennessee poses a significant threat to the state's soil health, which is crucial for the local gardening and agricultural communities. As these invasive worms prey on earthworms, they can disrupt the delicate ecosystem that supports plant growth and soil fertility. Nashville residents who maintain gardens or yards should be particularly vigilant, as the introduction of contaminated soil or plants can quickly spread the infestation. By taking precautions such as inspecting plants and soil before adding them to their gardens, residents can help prevent the spread of hammerhead worms. The city's community gardens and green spaces may also need to take extra measures to protect their soil and prevent the loss of beneficial earthworms. As the problem continues to unfold, it will be crucial for local nurseries and gardening supply stores to educate customers on how to identify and safely handle the invasive species.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A toxic worm species is being spotted across Tennessee, officials warned. The hammerhead worms prey on earthworms, which are essential to keeping soil healthy, according to Protect Tennessee Forests . The worms have a distinct half-moon-shaped head with flat, ribbon-like bodies. They are usually ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jack Susanin at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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