INVASION OF WORMS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20853, 11 July 1939, Page 11

INVASION OF WORMS

GREYMOUTH PHENOMENON IIOUSE!\VTVES DRIVEN FRANTIC What must surely be one of the strangest invasions on record is that which, for the last two months, has been worrying housewives living in three of the Government houses at Uobden, near Greymouth. The houses are invaded by earthworms of the common garden variety, measuring about two inches long and about as thick as a wooden match. The worms, which are especially a nuisance in wet weather, enter through tlie windows and doors, after climbing the outside walls of the houses. A complaint lias been made to the Housing Department, and it is believed that an olllcial has been sent to investigate ways and means of remedying the plague. The laying of 561 b of lime around one house had not had any effect, and the tenants are disgusted that the uuisanee continues despite all efforts to reduce tlie numbers of the worms, or to prevent them entering the houses. According to one woman, three drowned worms were found one morning in a milk billy left on the porch, with its lid loose. The concrete steps and fibre doormat ol' another house have proved very popular to the worms, which are often found there in hundreds and literally woven into a lump about the size ol' a tennis bail. In all three houses the worms, after entering, have crawled into the carpets, climbed the walls, and made their way along polished floors. The three housewives have been driven almost frantic trying to stem Die invaders, and have spent a good deal of their time lately in sweeping their unwanted guests out of the houses. The only explanation that is advanced for* the plague is that the site ot' the three houses is low-lying and the soil is rich and loamy. The invasion is always worse during wet weather.