What types of worms are best for composting?

Asked by: Samantha Jones

The best types of worms for vermicomposting are red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) and redworms (Lumbricus rubellus). These two species make great worms for the compost bin because they prefer a compost environment to plain soil, and they are very easy to keep.

What is the best worms for composting?

The type of worm most commonly used for vermicomposting is the red wiggler. That’s why this method of vermicomposting is also called red worm composting. The red wiggler species (Eisenia fetida) loves living in rotting organic material and manure and is extremely efficient at breaking it down.

What kind of worms go in a compost bin?

The right worms for a worm bin are called red wigglers, also known as Eisenia foetida. Unlike other types of worms, this special species thrives at 55 to 77 degrees F. When provided with adequate food and the right living conditions, a pound of red wiggler worms will digest 0.5 to 1 lb. of kitchen scraps per day.

What are three species of worms that are good for composting?

Most worm farms raise two main types of earthworm: Eisenia foetida and Lumbricus rubellis. These worms are commonly used to produce vermicompost, as well as for fish bait. Both are referred to by a variety of common names, including red worms, red wigglers, tiger worms, brandling worms, and manure worms.

Do you need special worms for compost?

Do I need to put worms in my compost bin? It turns out thatadding worms to compost may be beneficial. Certain types of worms, like red wigglers, can help speed up the process of decomposition. Native earthworms generally find their own way into an open bottomed compost bin if conditions are right.

Can I use regular earthworms for composting?

Earthworms are burrowers that bring their food deeper into the soil. That characteristic means they are not good composters because they are generally found in the bottom of the compost bin and you would need to turn the compost continuously as they do not work near the surface.

Are earthworms the same as compost worms?

Compost worms are not the same as regular earthworms

They will only survive in your compost bin if there’s plenty of organic material for them to munch on. In contrast, earthworms remove dead organic material from the surface of the soil and carry it underground.

Can you have too many worms in your compost?

A breeding surge can result in the addition of hundreds of baby worms in a bin. Adults found at the top of the bin may just be trying to escape from overcrowding in the bin and given a little time the population will balance itself without any problems. Alternatively, the surplus worms can be removed to another bin.

Are nightcrawlers good for composting?

African nightcrawlers, also known as Eudrilus Eugeniae, is a very common commercial worm. It can be used as bait for fish, and also for composting. These African worms can be found in composting bins and worm farms; and can also produce its own batch of rich worm castings, just like Red Wiggler worms.

Which worms are good for soil?

There are actually two common types of composting worms, and these are the Eisenia fetida (red wiggler worm), and the Eisenia hortensis (European Nightcrawler). But the most favorable composting worm would be the first one, the red wiggler worm.

How do I attract worms to my compost?

How to Get Worms Into Your Compost

1. Spread a layer of coffee grounds at the bottom of your compost heap to attract worms, recommends the Cornell Waste Management Institute (see References 2).
2. Lay soaked, torn cardboard in the bottom of the compost heap on top of the coffee grounds or in lieu of them.

Can red worms and earthworms live together?

Can earthworms and red worms live together? It is possible to house both earthworms and red worms together, however, it is not ideal. This is because the two species are adapted for different population densities, temperatures, and soil depths. Worms are an invaluable addition to your garden or compost bin.

What is the difference between red wigglers and nightcrawlers?

Definition. A red worm is an earthworm used in composting food scraps and other organic material and as fishing baits while a nightcrawler is a large earthworm found on the soil surface at night and used for fish bait.

Can I find red wigglers in my yard?

Red Wigglers can be found in nature in leaf litter or under logs but gathering your own to start a worm composting bin is very difficult.

Can you mix red worms and night crawlers?

Red wigglers and nightcrawlers are two worm species you can use on your farm to maintain and/or increase the fertility of plants’ soil. But, the question you’d like answered is, “can you mix red wigglers and nightcrawlers?” Yes, you can.

Can you release red wigglers in your garden?

While Red Worms (Eisenia fetida/andrei) are not thought to pose any real threat, it’s still probably better to avoid purposely releasing them into a natural habitat. Using composting worms in your yard/garden is a bit more of a gray area.

Will red wigglers survive winter?

Temperatures below 32℉ are fatal, and will most likely kill off your entire composting community. On the other side of things: Temperatures that exceed 80 degrees are almost as dangerous as freezing temperatures. Red wigglers are not likely to survive above 85 degrees.

How long do red wigglers live?

4 to 5 years

Red Wiggler worms life cycle and stages start as eggs, and ends after death. So their life span may go as long as 4 to 5 years. But this may also depend on a few more other factors such as using them for fish bait, or containing them in very unfavorable surroundings.

How deep do red wigglers go?

They like to tunnel in the soil, sometimes 3 feet deep. They come to the surface foraging for organic matter, which they take into their furrows. They mix sub-soil with their food and deposit their castings on the surface.

How often do you change worm bedding?

After worms are added, bedding should be kept moist but not soggy and the top 6 to 8 inches turned every 7 to 10 days to keep it loose. About every 6 to 9 months the old bedding should be replaced with properly prepared new bedding. To change bedding, remove the top 5 or 6 inches (where most of the worms are).

Why is there a red worm in my toilet?

Bloodworms in My Toilet

Bloodworm are common household pests and can be found near any source of water in your home, including sinks and bathtubs. Bloodworms earned their name from their bright red color due to hemoglobin in their bodies. These pests are thin and can grow up to a few inches long.

What is the best habitat for red wigglers?

Red Wiggler Habitat

Found in the top 6 inches of soil, red wiggles congregate in dark areas full of organic matter. Decaying materials, such as dead leaves, aged animal manure and garden waste, all serve as food for the species. Unlike earthworms, red worms eat the decaying matter in the soil.

What is the difference between a red wiggler and an earthworm?

While all worms are sometimes referred to as earthworms, it’s usually the night crawlers we’re referring to as an earthworm. Redworms are usally called red wigglers, although, they too, are an earthworm technically. The redworms ingest food scraps and other organic waste at a rapid pace.

Can worms eat carrot peels?

Carrot peelings, potato skins, broccoli and cauliflower stalks, lettuce, kale, even onion peels (in limited quantities) are perfect for the worm bin. Vegetable waste like this isn’t prone to overheating your bin either, so this is another low-maintenance food.

Why are my red wigglers turning white?

White worms themselves are completely harmless in a worm bin, but again they may be and indication that you are overfeeding, or perhaps adding too much acidic waste.

Will worms eat dead worms?

When worms die in the bin, their bodies decompose and are recycled by other worms, along with the food scraps. Worm castings are toxic to live worms.

How do I know if my worms are happy?

But how do you know if your compost worms are happy and content? You can tell that compost worms are happy and healthy if they multiply and produce compost that does not stink. The key to happy and healthy compost worms is to give them a good home, adequate food, and maintain the right conditions in the compost bin.