By Danielle Kate Wroe
Spotting things that are out of the ordinary in your home can be mortifying, and one woman was freaked out when she saw a dubious-looking black alien-like object in her kitchen.
The slimy-looking item was distressing her, despite the fact she initially thought it was a piece of string, but on closer inspection, she was shocked to find that it looked more like a worm. She took to social media to ask people what they thought it was, and was grossed-out to read the replies.
On the Facebook group 'Mums Who Clean', the Australian woman wrote: "Anyone have any ideas what in the world this is?? At first, I thought it was string then baby banana string gone black."
She continued: "Now I'm worried it's a worm. Haven't been game to touch it yet." In the comments, people tried to help the woman out and help her work out what it could be, reports MailOnline.
Someone suggested that if she had a pet, it could be a "slug" that they'd "brought in with their fur". Another said that it could be a "leech". One wrote: "It just looks like a bit of wet string...it won't hurt you to poke it or touch it with something". Another social media user said: "'If you live in Queensland it could be a blind snake, they are harmless but still freak you out."
However, most came to the conclusion that it was actually a flatworm, assuring her that there was no need for concern. "It's a garden flatworm. They are super beneficial for your garden and like eating bad guys. Just find some damp leaves to pop it in and it'll be a good little mate", someone shared, with another saying it's "probably come in on someone's shoe".
According toBug Life, "The UK does have a few native land flatworm species, but the commonest tend to be small (no more than 3cm) and plain black or grey. One native species, Microplana scharffi is yellow or pink but unlike the Australian flatworm it has a cylindrical body."
The Royal Horticultural Society warns, however, that non-native species can be worrisome, as they "prey on earthworms, slugs, snails and other soil organisms." The experts warn that "they can severely reduce the populations of some earthworm species and consequently affect the soil ecosystem". They also said: "All non-native flatworms are included under schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which states that it is an offence to introduce or release them into the wild."
The Royal Horticultural Society shared that when you buy a new plant, it's important to check it for flatworms before planting it in your garden, warning "Flatworms like damp places and they often hide at the base of plant pots, between the root ball and the inside of the pots." They also urged green-fingered gardeners to look "under loose turf, plastic or other sheeting, rocks, flat stones and plant containers".
Do you have a story to share? Email: danielle.wroe@mirror.co.uk