There’s something slimy and gross on your sidewalk. You step closer to take a look, and realize that it’s a horsehair worm! What are these things, and what should you do if you find one in your yard? Keep reading to learn more about horsehair worms, including what they are, where they come from, and how to get rid of them.

Horsehair worms, also known as Gordian worms, are long and thin parasites that can grow up to two feet in length. They get their name from their similarity in appearance to horsehair, and they’re often found in puddles of water or on damp sidewalks. Horsehair worms are not harmful to humans or animals but can be deadly to insects.

These parasitic creatures spend most of their lives inside the bodies of insects like beetles and cockroaches. The horsehair worm enters the insect through its mouth or nose and then grows inside its host’s body until it is ready to emerge as an adult. When the horsehair worm is fully grown, it causes the insect to drown itself in water so that the horsehair worm can escape.

If you find a horsehair worm, the best thing to do is to leave it alone. These creatures pose no threat to humans or animals and are actually beneficial to the environment because they help control the populations of harmful insects. If you have horsehair worms in your home, there is no need to worry as they will not harm you or your pets. However, if you find them in your garden, it is best to remove them so that they don’t kill any of your plants.

The horsehair worm can grow up to three feet long, but most are only about a foot long. They are thin, white, and look like hairs. The horsehair worm gets its name from its resemblance to a horse’s tail or mane.

Horsehair worms are found all over the world in freshwater, saltwater, and damp soil. They are especially common in puddles, ponds, and lakes. Horsehair worms are also known as Gordian worms because of their complex life cycle.

These creatures start out as eggs that hatch into larvae. The larvae attach themselves to insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, and beetles. When the infected insect is eaten by a predator such as a bird or fish, the horsehair worm larva enters the predator’s body.

Once inside its host, the horsehair worm grows and matures. When it is full-grown, it exit’s its host’s body through the mouth or anus. The horsehair worm then mates and lays eggs in water. The cycle starts all over again when the eggs hatch into larvae.

Horsehair worms are not harmful to humans or animals. In fact, they can be helpful because they kill pests such as crickets and grasshoppers. If you find a horsehair worm, you can put it in a jar of water and watch it writhe around. Just be sure to release it back into nature when you’re done observing it.

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