How to Identify Round Worms

Roundworms (also known as nematodes) can be helpful by eating some unwanted insects but are mostly harmful to plants, animals and humans. Pets can get roundworms if they place their noses in soil inhabited by roundworms without being bathed right after. Humans can also get roundworms if they come in contact with this inhabited soil. The roundworm larvae can enter the human body through the skin if the person does not wash his hands immediately after contact. Roundworms can live in the intestines of animals and humans, feeding off whatever the hosts consume.

Instructions

• 1

  Recognize where the worm lives. Roundworms can be found in soil, eating fungus and bacteria from plants. They can be found most often in garden soils where it is soft and moist. Roundworms have no preference to any particular plant. They also can end up in animal and human intestinal and digestive systems.

• 2

  Look at the body of the worm. Roundworms are elongated, round and unsegmented. They have a thick chemical cuticle that can be shed. This cuticle surrounds the entire body to protect it.

• 3

  Measure the length of the roundworm. As the roundworm becomes an adult, it grows larger. Depending on the amount of food a roundworm has available to eat and space in which to grow, it can range from 3 mm to 40 cm (16 inches) long. In animals, they can become 8 inches long.

• 4

  Notice the color of the roundworm. Those found in human feces will be colorless, while those seen in animal feces are white. Roundworms in soil are tan.