PLAGUE OF WORMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23382, 26 June 1939, Page 12

PLAGUE OF WORMS

HOUSES INVADED GREYMOUTH STATE BLOCK NO REMEDY YET FOUND [nv telegraph OWN correspondent] GREYMOUTH, Sunday A plaguo of earthworms, which aro continually seeking tho insides of the houses, is causing consternation to tho occupants of three dwellings in the Holland settlement, a State housing block. Tho three housewives concerned aro at their wit's end to combat tho worms, which have defied all efforts to reduce their numbers.

It is chiefly at night when it is wet that the worms begin their invasion of tho houses. Largo numbers were to bo seen last evening making their way across a front porch, while others were seen in various parts of tho house. Next door worms were literally in hundreds on the side of the house. At the back porch a fibro doormat was alive with worms and surrounding it on tho concreto steps and on tho walls wore many more. Ono of tho harassed housewives said tho worms entered tho houso underneath tho doors and even under window sashes, and, in tho course of a day sho put dozens outside on the end of a stick. Each morning numbers aro found dead on tho carpets, evidently killed by the lack of moisture. Tho invasion commenced about two months ago. It is considered by the tenants that the cause is tho low-lying nature of tho throe sections, which have rich, loamy soil. Tho only remedy appears to be tho filling up of tho sections with a layer of clinkers or ashes to prevent the passage of the worms. A complaint has been made to the Housing Department and it is understood that an official has been sent to investigate, but no advice has yet been received as to what measures it is proposed to take to eliminate the trouble.