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Strange worm/maggot in potatos

Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:33 pm
by dragonoak
Greetings Ishers. Digging over the garden today i found a stash of potatos that I mised earlier in the season... they looked fine so decided to prep. them and squeeze a boiling out. 90% of them were fine.... but, inside one I found about 7 or 8 red banded worm things that were between 1 and 2 inches long (OH says they were worms but I think they looked more ike maggots).

I didnt have time to take a picture as we were too grossed out by them and OH poured boiling water over them :lol: Just wondering if anyone has any ideas what they might have been and how to stop them in the future.

The rest of the potato was fine and still edible too.

Re: Strange worm/maggot in potatos

Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:45 pm
by MKG
If you Google (images) for Brandling worm or Tiger worm, you'll probably find it. They're the things which you really, really, want in your compost heap and in your garden. They create very good compost - even out of forgotten potatoes.

Mike

Re: Strange worm/maggot in potatos

Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 8:29 pm
by oldjerry
Plus, when you sneak down to your local trout fishery on a moonlit night they make fantastic bait , or so I'm told.

Re: Strange worm/maggot in potatos

Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 5:42 am
by dragonoak
@MKG... Thank you so much for the quick reply! I've had a hunt through google and they were indeed Tiger worms. I feel a little silly for acting like a little girl with them :oops: If I find any more i'll definatly be directing them to my compost bins!

@OldJerry... I also found a lot of pages refering to them as a great bait! Which has also reminded me to upload a picture. Me and OH went out salmon fishing, I was out of luck, but the OH came up trumps.... I'll post it in chat (she's a belter!)