Q&A for How to Raise Earthworms

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Do I need to keep a light on at night over the bed so that the worms do not crawl out?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

No. Give your worms a natural night/day cycle by turning off lights at night.

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Question

What type of worm is ideal for aquarium fish?

Community Answer

Fish of all kinds go crazy for bloodworms (which are not technically worms, but larvae - your best bet in any case).

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Question

Can I put worms in house plants and feed them corn meal?

Community Answer

Worms are decomposers, so they eat soil and they need the right nutrients to live there. They will not live if you put them in house plants, because they would be lacking the right nutrients.

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Question

How long will it take for the worms to double in quantity?

Community Answer

It will take about 1 month, depending on how many earthworms you have to start with.

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Can you raise worms and nightcrawlers together?

Community Answer

Yes!

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Question

Can ants hurt earthworms?

Community Answer

One or two ants can't hurt the earthworms on their own, but an entire colony of ants could do some damage to earthworms.

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Question

Can I take the worms from the driveway and put them in my vermicompost?

Community Answer

If you have an outdoor vermicompost setup, yes, you can add nightcrawlers.

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Question

Do you need to keep a light on over your worm bed so they do not crawl out at night?

Community Answer

Red wigglers don't like light, so keeping a light over the box trains them to stay in it.

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Question

If you have worms from your garden, can they be used to vermicompost?

Community Answer

Partially! You will likely need to acquire more worms than you will be able to find in your garden or yard. Further, the nightcrawlers in your yard are less hardy and less efficient at generating castings.

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Question

Can worms live in humid mud?

Community Answer

Yes, they can. Worms can live in almost any soil of any consistency and any temperature. Mud is not as good for them as soil, though.

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Question

Can I keep two worms as pets?

Community Answer

Yes, that's fine! Just give them plant matter to eat and release them before winter if you live somewhere where it freezes.

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Question

Will the earthworms survive through a mild Colorado winter?

Community Answer

No, they probably won't. You should release them in the fall as their box will freeze. In nature, the soil is never completely frozen as the deeper layers don't get as cold, but that is different in a box.

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Question

Can I use ash as bedding?

Community Answer

No, ash contains some toxic elements that can hurt these worms. Use hay, leaf litter or any organic scraps.

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Question

Can worms process any meat scraps?

Community Answer

No, they cannot digest most animals or insects.

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Question

If I am a starter on raising worms, what worms should I choose.

Community Answer

Red wigglers, as they are good composters and can be easily replaced if errors occur as you learn.

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Question

Is cornmeal a good food for worms?

Clara Clugston

Community Answer

Cornmeal is the perfect food to keep your worms lively and healthy. Here is a simple trick that makes keeping a worm bin easier than ever: If you want to go on vacation, simply sprinkle a layer of cornmeal on the top of your bin. That will give your worms a fresh supply of food the entire time.

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