Posts Tagged ‘eisensia fetida’
Earthworms Explained
We get asked this question over and over. What is the difference between worms found in the yard and garden and worms used for composting?
Believe it or not, all worms are not created equal. There are three main types of worms, each one has different characteristics that make them unique. These unique traits are why some worms take to bins better than others. You can’t just go out in your yard, dig up some worms, and expect them to go to work for you in your new worm bin. Chances are you may not end up with great composting worms, and you may even find that the worms are escaping from the bin and do not appreciate being spoiled like our little friends the red wigglers. With an understanding of the different types of worms, you will gain a better perspective into the art of vermiculture.
Each one of the 4400 + named species of worms on earth can be broken down into these three main categories:
Anecic (Greek for “out of the earth”) – these are burrowing worms that come to the surface at night to drag food down into their permanent burrows deep within the mineral layers of the soil. The common nightcrawler (also known as Canadian Nightcrawler, Dew Worm & Common Earthworm) is in this category. These worms build vertical permanent burrows that extend over six feet below the earth’s surface. Believe it or not, but these worms can actually recognize their own burrows and return to it day after day. These worms feed on decaying litter and therefore must visit the surface on a regular basis. They are solitary worms and do not like living in high worm populations.
Endogeic (Greek for “within the earth”) – these are also burrowing worms but their burrows are typically more shallow and they feed on the organic matter already in the soil. These worms are the only type of worm that will actually eat soil as well as decaying organic material. These worms rarely come to the earth’s surface and spend most of their time underground in their lateral burrow systems.
Epigeic (Greek for “upon the earth”) – these worms live in the surface litter and feed on decaying organic matter. They do not have permanent burrows. These “decomposers” are the type of worm used in vermicomposting. These are our special little garbage men that work for food. They thrive in large groups and are surface feeders, not burrowers. Red Wigglers & European Nightcrawlers are both categorized in this group of composting worms. Becuase they do not build burrows, they do well in worm bins and appreciate the constant food source and moist environments that we provide for them.
I hope this helps you to gain a little understanding of the workings of earthworms and why purchasing the right kind of worm for your bin is important to your success.
Feeding your Red Wigglers, ENC’s and other composting worms.
Now that your worms are accustomed to their new home you will want to start slowly feeding them. We recommend that you start out with small amounts of food to get to know what your wigglers like to eat and also to monitor the quantity.
Red Wigglers are known to love Watermelon, Pureed Pumpkin (pie filling), and Corn Meal. Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to feeding your worms.
Dont’s:
- glossy paper products
- meat products
- dairy products
- jalapenos and other spicy foods
- cat and dog poo – can be composted by the worms but not if castings are to be used in the garden. Poses a health risk.
- citrus – can make the bin acidic. OK in very small quantities on occasion
Do’s:
- small pieces, it is a good idea to chop food or soften it by freezing then thawing
- bury food under the bedding at least 3″ to deter fruit flies and gnats
- use rain water or well water if using city water let it sit in a bucket for 24hours before using on bedding to reduce the chemicals used in the water. Worms are like organics, they do not like chemicals.
- OK, this is Don’t but it is under the Do’s. Don’t worry about bacteria, mold and microbe populations. These organisms help break down the food matter to make it easier for the worms to consume. They also contribute to the castings. Great compost is full of microbial organisms. And castings are full of them!
Here is a list of a few of the foods we feed to our worms:
(note is is better to try small quantities of new items at first to see if your worm herd enjoys them first)
| Apples & Peels | Oatmeal |
| Beans | Pinto Beans |
| Bananas & Peels | Pancakes |
| Cabbage | Pears |
| Cake | Potatoes |
| Celery | Pasta |
| Cereal | Rice |
| Coffee Grounds & Filters | Strawberries |
| Corn Meal | Tea Leaves & Bags |
| Cucumber | Tomatoes |
| Egg Shells (crushed) | Watermelon/ Cantaloupe |
| Garbanzo Beans | Wheat Bran |
| Lettuce |
By adding a pinch or two of cruched egg shells, sand, or dirt you can help your worms to digest the food in the list above. Worms have gizzards and need the grit that these items provide to help break down the food in the worms digestive system.
What do you feed your worms? Feel free to add to this list in the comments section.
Posted in Care & Feeding | 
Tags: composting worm, eat, eisensia fetida, favorites, feed, feeding, food, red wigglers, worms | 
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It’s all about the Red Wigglers!
Red Wigglers:
Red Wigglers (Eisensia fetida) are the most common composting worm. They measure between 1½ and 2½ inches in length and can eat half of their body weight in food a day. In the compost bin, they are most active at temperatures between 59-77°F (15-25°C). They may still work their way through a bin at temperatures as low as 50°F. Below freezing temperatures will kill them off, however, their eggs will keep in the compost heap through the winter to revive the population come spring. Since red wigglers can survive colder temperatures than many of their composting cousins, they make great fish bait. They can stay alive in the water hours longer than your average earthworm. They can resist temperatures as low as 35° and as high as 95° F Red Wigglers tend to be very active on the hook and are a great choice when fishing for trout or panfish.
Red wigglers are also known as: Redworms, Manure Worms, Trout Worms, Tiger Worms, Compost Worms and I am sure you could come up with more to add to the list. Because of the versatility of these worms they are not only great for composting and fishing but also make great treats for your turtles, birds, and other worm loving pets you may have in your home. Your pets will thank you for such a tasty treat.
Posted in About Red Wigglers |
Tags: about, bait, compost, composting worm, eisensia fetida, red wigglers, temperatures, worms |
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