Blackworms/mudworms

[CarleeAnn]

So we have this drainage ditch running through our backyard that the ducks love! It’s their “little river” but we saw clusters of worms that would retract when we got near. It was such an odd behavior and it was so hard to catch the worms to observe them but we did!! After putting them under the microscope we believe to have determined them as “Blackworms” or mudworms.

Should we try to get rid of them? Are they safe? I’ve attached a picture with a good summary about them. Also pictures of the “river” to show you the environment they live in.

Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd say in the wild ducks most likely feast on these worms and very doubtful you could get rid of them, they sound very similar to earth worms that my ducks love and we also have a drainage ditch in our back yard that mine have been playing in for about a month now with all the wet springs and rain we have gotten, there are probably those mud worms in there too. I think they will be fine. Good source of protein.

 

[Jamie Molihan]

I bet your ducks would protest if you got rid of them lol. Beautiful set up, you have some spoiled ducks for sure.

 

[CarleeAnn]

I'd say in the wild ducks most likely feast on these worms and very doubtful you could get rid of them, they sound very similar to earth worms that my ducks love and we also have a drainage ditch in our back yard that mine have been playing in for about a month now with all the wet springs and rain we have gotten, there are probably those mud worms in there too. I think they will be fine. Good source of protein.

Phew!! I was worried that because they’re so small they could be like gape worms. But I’m a worry wart, I’m glad I don’t need to try and remedy the “problem”.

I bet your ducks would protest if you got rid of them lol. Beautiful set up, you have some spoiled ducks for sure.

Thank you! They would for sure be very upset if I made any change to their little setup. Spoiled indeed!!