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Have I disturbed a viper's nest?

  • 07-09-2024 10:40pm
    #1
    Jellybaby_1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭


    We were trying to pull up a huge old root when suddenly about six of these chaps appeared on the surface. This is why I'm a terrible gardener, I hate these things, they give me nightmares. What are they, and are they harmless or a pest I have to worry about?

    IMG_20240906_114215_HDR.jpg



Comments

  • #2
    Lewis_Benson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,299 ✭✭✭Lewis_Benson


    Eh, they are worms.



  • #3
    Jellybaby_1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Jellybaby_1


    But so many more came up, I normally dig up fat worms. So I suppose they're not particularly a pest of a worm.



  • #4
    patrickc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,972 ✭✭✭patrickc


    They're worms



  • #5
    Jellybaby_1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Jellybaby_1


    Ok then, thanks. I worry over nothing so. End of story.



  • #6
    ottolwinner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 686 ✭✭✭ottolwinner


    was this for real or were you drinking in the garden?



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  • #7
    Jellybaby_1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Jellybaby_1


    I'm afraid, it is for real. I have a phobia about these things. I realise proper gardeners don't understand.



  • #8
    macraignil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,594 ✭✭✭macraignil


    Earth worms are a vital part of healthy soil and you will usually get much healthier plants in soil with lots of earth worms. If you had soil with no earth worms it would be something to worry about. Maybe try look into no dig gardening so you don't have to disturb them while they are doing their essential work for your garden soil.

    Happy gardening!

    Post edited by macraignil on


  • #9
    The Continental Op
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,476 ✭✭✭The Continental Op


    Surprised St Patrick didn't get a mention?

    NO SNAKES IN IRELAND

    Wake me up when it's all over.



  • #10
    Water John
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,808 ✭✭✭✭Water John


    There are mainly two types of earthworms, both good and a sign of healthy soil. Ones that work vertically and others that work horizontally. Now you know where to head for the next time you're going rod fishing.



  • #11
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,095 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    https://invasives.ie/app/uploads/2022/01/New-Zealand-Flatworm.pdf

    If however you find one of these charmers you may well consider it a 'viper', or at any rate, undesirable.



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  • #12
    standardg60
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,179 ✭✭✭standardg60


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122593406#Comment_122593406

    Lobworms, they're attracted to the surface by vibration in the soil, so arrived while you were pulling at the root.

    It's not completely understood why they do, but stamping or banging something into the ground is a known method of collecting them for fishing. They'll often randomly appear a couple of feet away while i'm disturbing ground, one answer is they're escaping from moles, but we don't have moles here.



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