Woo's Worms
Vermicomposting
Worm Types
Available Ad Space above. Put your ad here!
This choice spot is available for only $5.00/year. Ad prices will go up in the future as this site gets establish, but whoever takes this deal will be able to renew for the same price.
Email Woo for details.
Quick Summary of Best Worms for Vermicomposting
Red Wiggler (Eisenia Fetida)
Other names: Reds, Manure worms, Wigglers, Brandling worms, Trout Worms, Tiger Worms, Eisenias, RW's, Red Worms
Temperature: Min 35 Max 88
Ideal 70 – 80
10 Babies/week – Under ideal conditions
3 babies per cocoon
Hatch 30 – 75 days
Maturity 85 – 150 days
Small worm - Max. 3"
Best worm for composting.
Adapts well to wide range of environmental conditions.
Tolerates handling & disruption of environment.
Most popular worm for composting. They stay put as long as the environment is to their liking.
Good for pan fishing and feeding pets.
Life Span - a few years
European Nightcrawler (Eisenia Hortensis)
Other names: Europeans, Euros, Belgian Worms, ENC's
Temperature: Min 45 Max 85
Ideal 55 – 65
2 Babies/week – Under ideal conditions
1 baby per cocoon
Hatch 40 – 125 days
Maturity 55- 85 days
Large worm - Length 3" - 8"
Good for composting
Tolerates wetter environment
Adapts well to wide range of environmental conditions
Tolerates handling & disruption of environment
Good size for bait. Survives well in a bait container.
No need to refrigerate.
Can live for weeks in a bait container with proper bedding.
Lives longer on a hook and in salty water than other worms.
May wander a little when put in new environment.
Considered by some the very best worm for all uses.
Life span - A little over 1 year. Shorter than the other worms.
African Nightcrawler (Eudrillus eugeniae)
Temperature: Min 40 Max 85
Ideal 60 - 80
Stop breeding when temps hit the 50's
Like warm temperatures. Should be kept inside.
Fastest breeders of them all at warm temperatures
Largest of the 4 best composting worms - Length 6 - 8"
They have a fat belly with a purplish sheen.
Excellent for composting
Tolerates warmer temperatures than other worms above.
Do not refrigerate
Large size is preferred for fishing. Very active on the hook.
Considered by some the very best fishing worm for warm weather.
Life span - About 2 years
Hybrid Red Worm (Pheretima Hawayanus)
Temperature: Min 40 Max 85
Ideal 60 - 80
They have a round belly with red and white rings near the head.
Their skin light color and tough which makes them good for fishing bait. They stay on the hook.
Good for composting
Large size is good for fishing.
no need to refrigerate
CAPT'N ELMER'S
Seafood Restaurant
Fine food available opposite the Orleans Farmers' Market
There are 3 major types of worms: Worms like the Canadian Nightcrawlers (Anecic) have permanent burrows that extend deep into the soil. They take food from the surface at night and drag it down into their burrows. This is a popular fishing bait that is gathered not grown. The second type of worms are the worm you normally find when digging in your garden (Endogeic). These worms have shallow burrows and they feed on organic materials in the soil. They rarely feed on the surface. The third type are worms that live and feed on the decaying organic matter on the surface (Epigeic). They do not have burrows and can be grown in containers as long as they are provided with proper bedding and food. They are excellent composters which are used for vermicomposting. Below is a discussion of these Vermicomposting worms:
