“Can you identify this as a worm and if so, what species?” asks Kim about the gooey, strand of matter pictured below. “I picked it up, put it in a container and soaked it in tea tree oil to hopefully kill it if it was a living thing. Have found these on the floor in my Central Florida mobile home that has a well and that has had some stopped-up septic problems and overflows. Could either be the cause? I will also add that we are in a rural area and we have, or have had in the past, cats, dogs, donkeys, cows, goats, pigs, chickens, and rabbits; we fed out a wild boar twice. I would like to know your opinion on the type of whatever this may be, and maybe even the potential host if it is a parasite so I can pinpoint the area and treat it and the tenant on its rented acre of land. We are in a wooded area of twelve acres. Don’t know if it was carried in the home or, like I mentioned, a result of the septic issue. The other “samples” looked like they could have been stepped on. Oh, and I should mention that my cat stares at the floor because she can see something we cannot. She refuses to walk in certain areas and bolts through, jumping as fast and far as her pudgy little self can go, to avoid these spaces. I have sent as many photos as I have and tried to take different vantage points for you. Thanks again for your considerable help.”
There is a lot to unpack here. First off, we appreciate the plethora of pictures, from which we chose the best one below. A sharp photo taken in good lighting such as this one give us the best impression of the organism, and it helps us identify it. Secondly, we likewise appreciate the wealth of context here, as it gives us an excellent picture of where the worm-like critter was found and what it might be doing there. Kim points out that she lives in a rural area and has had a lot of animals on her property, and that definitely does attract more bugs and worm-like creatures, as well as parasites. Unfortunately, we cannot confirm or deny if these are parasites as we are not medical professionals, and only a medical professional is qualified and legally able to identify parasites, given the health risk they pose and the symptoms they cause when they infect a host.
If Kim wants her animals checked for parasites, she should contact a vet. Likewise, if she wants to check herself, or any other person of interest, we recommend consulting a medical parasitologist. To find one, Kim can do one or more of the following:
1) Search for a medical parasitologist in their area using this directory of medical parasitology consultants: https://www.astmh.org/for-astmh-members/clinical-consultants-directory.
2) Search for a local parasitologist by doing a Google search for “medical parasitologist (name of the closest big city)” or “tropical medicine specialist (name of the closest big city)”.
3) Get in touch with Dr. Omar Amin at the Parasitology Center at https://www.parasitetesting.com.
We should note that Dr. Amin is available for online consultation, so our reader does not need to be in the vicinity of his physical offices to get help!
Now, if it turns out that these are not parasites, we would still have a hard time identifying exactly what this is. It does not seem to have a uniform shape, or any discernible facial characteristics. It looks like a string of animal fat, or a pile of goo. Kim asks if the septic problems with the well could have anything to do with the discovery of this object, and it definitely could. Wells are breeding grounds for all kinds of insects and worms, particularly those that feed on decaying organic matter, like midge fly larvae, and that is because a well is filled with stagnant water, which attracts such creatures. If this well is overflowing, then it might be pushing up all kinds of things to the surface, like what Kim found. Whether it is an actual organism, a part of an organism, or something else is a mystery, but it definitely could be coming from the well.
Wells should be checked for water quality at least once a year, though more often is ideal if there are problems, which there are in Kim’s case. And this is because all kinds of things can live in and infect well water, and if that water is being drunk by the people in the area, then their health is potentially at risk. Kim might want to check out the CDC’s “webpage on well maintenance“, which provides resources for scheduling maintenance checks.
Lastly, when it comes to her cat staring at the floor, this just sounds like typical cat behaviour to us, though maybe that is because we have seen too many cat videos on the internet. Some claim that cats can see ghosts or spirits, if Kim believes in that kind of thing, and that they will avoid rooms which are haunted. Of course, that would have nothing to do with the discovery of the organisms Kim is asking about. And we haven’t heard of cats being scared by insects or worms that are undetectable to the naked (human) eye.
In conclusion, we are not entirely sure what Kim found, given its lack of identifiable, physical characteristics. She is correct in saying that it could have a connection to the overflowing well, or indeed to her animals that live on the property. However, we would not be at liberty to confirm if these are parasites infecting her animals or herself, as we are not medical professionals. We recommend that she contact professionals to check the well, and that she contact medical professionals if she is worried about a parasitic infection. We hope this helps, and we wish her, and her animals, the very best.
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So the patasite test didn’t identify the worm, it just said nematode? Was this Dr Ahmeds (spelling?) website or testing they advertise to help people,,? I heard test was no help because results just c9me back as a worm etc, but doesnt ID what kind of parasite like tapeworm etc. His website shows sample reports that identify species but ive heard others say test doesnt even identify the paradite. pcr is dr ahmeds website.namod
Omg I had the same thing for over a year now. And everyone thinks I’m crazy. I can’t eat, my pets have it and it’s everywhere. I do think it’s nematodes cause my plants are also affected. I don’t have a well anywhere near me and live in apartment complex. Thank u so much for the advice. I’m going crazy over this.
So Y’all…. I hate this is happening to so many of us & no one seems to know for certain what’s happening. This “goo like” thing being the first thing I saw with my naked eye. Seems to be just the start of alot of weird organisms I’m seeing and ultimately being tormented with. This alien goo worm thing…It was going down my base board in the bathroom. I caught it out the corner of my eye… It was so fast. It stopped pretty much right Infront of me while I was on the potty. I was so freaking scared and sat there still for what seemed like forever. I watched as it’s body sorta had waves going through it. When I finally talked myself into making a run for it… I slammed the bathroom door and went to wake my guy up. By the time I got him in the bathroom to show him it, the thing was gone but it did eat the white paint off the base board. Of course, I’m crazy and seeing things though. Even with the paint missing in the spot it was and shaped exactly like the one pictured above. So I don’t have well water but We do have a moist bathroom and probably mold under the tile. That’s not a fact but is my assumption from what I see on the caulking between the loose tile and tub. Also Had the caulking around our toilet missing for about a month around the same time. Not sure if there is any relation but not excluding anything at this point. Now I have seen this type thing one more time in our bathtub and wasn’t sure of it until it was going down the drain. Only after dumping white vinegar and baking soda on it did it let go and allow the water to make it go down the drain. Sadly I shower with Crocs on my feet and then stand on top of a pair of flip flops. I’m scared for my bare feet to touch the bottom of the tub. I also have these super skinny like so fine almost invisible lint like worm thingies everywhere on everything. Even in /on the hair on my head. These little lint like thing either have energy I can feel or some type of electric type pulse/currant. Y’all I swear I know I sound off my rocker but I’m not and I also know the more people share hopefully answers will start surfacing. Along with those 2 things I swear I see something floating or flying in the air but it’s also like invisible to the naked eye. My family jokes that I have bionic eyes or something. I see these things on surfaces of things and in the air. Like a mist or when you see the sun beating on a damp road. Like a blur. It’s hard to explain. Those are the most terrifying and frequently seen. I have heard it’s fungi, mold , biofilms. I just have no clue. I hate to hear anyone else is dealing with the unknown as well. I’m here for anyone if they need someone for anything.
I believe I have what you have as well.
Ca********@gm***.com
Bree/Sabrina
From modesto ca.
That’s how my parasitic infection started out. I was showering one time and something gooey and so sticky I had to cut it out of my hair. Also notice like sand coming out my showerhead. I just want to suggest getting a uv filtration system. They are expensive but with well water you need it. When I sent my stool and well water sample to Pci for testing both came back positive for nematode. Also I would suggest putting chlorine pool tablets in your post filter orhaving your pipes professionally cleaned because with fungus and biofilms that are always involved with parasites and eggs are able to survive in pipes. It’s been 4 years and I still don’t have my infection under control. There’s so many more aspects than just the parasite itself. CO infection is the rule not the exceptionto the rule. Parasites carry fungus within there cuticle layer so than we are also infected especially with a die off. It’s the die off that mostly makes people sick. When parasites die they release toxins. That’s what makes most people sick. Our body’s reaction to the parasite toxins. Oh and as far as the well water my sinks and toilets and even appliances seem to absolutely be affected by this. They seem to clog more and appliance don’t seem to work as well…washing machine,dishwasher and so . I wash my clothes with 12% food grade hydrogen peroxide. 1 cup per load. Because my clothes have all these either fungus filament or dead worms intwined in the fabric by the peroxide is a game changer. I have yet to have any of my clothes affected by the peroxide it was a big worry in the beginning. But game changer for people suffering with the problem of fungus/parasite in fabric. I promise it’s a game changer 1 cup per load just pour it in with your clothes and soap. 12% food grade hydrogen peroxide from amazon. Good luck to you and your well water situation. And Thank you Anton for all your help for those of us still suffering. God bless.
Thank you for your tireless work educating about worms and not-worms on this cute and charming website. Keep on wiggling, Worm Researcher Anton!
Yes it does has everything to do with your well. Ive had a similar experience living in the redwoods with unknowingly non potable water being lined into the house. The comma shape is familiar. Ive done some research and i have no idea what to believe anymore. I do know that it makes me feel very uncomfortable in a way that is hard to describe. oh*************@gm***.com
ca********@gm***.com