Q&A for How to Gather Earthworms

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I trap an earthworm?
    Brandon Runyon
    Entomology and Pest Control Expert
    Brandon Runyon is a board-certified Entomologist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has over 18 years of experience as a Pest Control professional, and is the Technical Director of Swat Pest Management. Swat Pest Management serves areas throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, where they provide safe, cost-effective solutions for client’s pest control needs. He authored Bugged by Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control, a user-friendly guide to commercial pest control practices in hotels, restaurants, apartments, and offices. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Entomology, and received a MS in Entomology from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also received an MBA from Western Governors University.
    Entomology and Pest Control Expert
    Expert Answer
    Create a welcoming environment that mimics their natural habitat. Start by placing a wet cardboard on the ground and arrange some rocks around it to form a secure area where earthworms can gather. Make sure that the environment remains moist and secure by maintaining contact with the soil. This setup provides earthworms with the moisture they need while allowing them to move freely through the soil and settle down. By creating this inviting space, you can attract earthworms to your trap for observation or collection purposes.
  • Question
    How long does it take to gather the worms?
    Community Answer
    Anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on how many worms you're looking for, the type of soil, and the time of day/season.
  • Question
    What do worms eat?
    Community Answer
    Egg shells, lettuce, dead leaves, and lots of other stuff.
  • Question
    Is it gay to search for worms?
    Community Answer
    No, it is not. It is also not appropriate to use the term "gay" in a condescending manner.
  • Question
    Can I keep earthworms as pets and what if I accidentally cut an earthworm in half?
    Caeiia
    Top Answerer
    Yes, you can. The head of the worm will live on, but the tail part will die.
  • Question
    How can I find earthworms quickly?
    Caeiia
    Top Answerer
    At night, cover some moist dirt with a wet newspaper and check underneath it in the morning. Or, just go out in the rain, when the worms come up from the soil.
  • Question
    Does it work to use coffee grounds to attract worms?
    Community Answer
    Coffee grounds won't attract worms, but they are good for the soil.
  • Question
    What kind of soil does an earthworm need?
    Community Answer
    Wet soil is best.
  • Question
    Will I need any tools or equipment when gathering earthworms?
    Community Answer
    A bucket and a shovel or spade. You could use your bare hands to grab them, or a pair of gloves and/or a pair of tweezers.
  • Question
    Where do I find earthworms?
    Community Answer
    You can find earthworms near ponds or lakes, and in damp soil.
  • Question
    What do I do if I found a baby bird and can't find an earthworm?
    Community Answer
    Go to a convenient store that sells earthworms as fishing bait and buy a box. Keep them in your refrigerator.
  • Question
    What should I do if I am in a dry or arid area?
    Betta 4 Bettas
    Community Answer
    You can buy worms online, and breed your own. All you have to do is set them up in compost bins, keep the bins moist, and feed them scraps. This will start your own little breeding farm of worms.
  • Question
    What do these stakes look like for calling the earth worms to the top of the ground?
    Community Answer
    Just a regular metal two foot stake, starting to be pointed at one end, and pointed at the other. It can also be rectangular.
  • Question
    Will a worm still live if it's ripped in half?
    Community Answer
    Yes. The head will live on but the tail will die, and the head will regrow its tail.
  • Question
    Do I hunt for worms on the night I put the cardboard down or the night after?
    Community Answer
    You can do both.
  • Question
    What would I use to feed my worm?
    Community Answer
    You could provide cow dung, coconut husks, paper waste, degradable waste, etc.
  • Question
    What do I do if it's dry where I live?
    Community Answer
    Then you can take a piece of wet cardboard and lay it on the soil. The alternative method is going to a fish shop to buy worms.
  • Question
    Do worms have seven hearts?
    Community Answer
    Yes, earthworms have seven hearts.
  • Question
    What can I put on the ground to attract worms?
    Community Answer
    You can lay down rocks or rotting logs for the worms to fester under, but a wet sheet or cardboard would be even better.
  • Question
    Can I use dish soap to find worms in my backyard?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Mix a small amount of the dish soap with some water and evenly distribute it over a small area. You should see worms in no time.
  • Question
    Can earthworms breed in salt water?
    Community Answer
    No. Saltwater can kill them. Use freshwater.
  • Question
    Do worms like to live in roots of plants?
    Community Answer
    No. They do stay near them so they can feed on the nutrients the plant releases, but not inside the roots.
  • Question
    Can I find earthworms on my terrace?
    Community Answer
    You will only be able to find them if there are a lot of dirt and plants. You would have needed to put the worms on your terrace to find them there.
  • Question
    How can I catch 1000 worms in the next 4 days?
    Community Answer
    You can go to a store and buy them.
  • Question
    Can I still lure worms with a pole that's 3 or more feet long?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but a 2 foot pole will work best.
  • Question
    What color do worms turn when they die?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes worms will turn black or yellow-ish, but they usually stay the same color. Worms will look shriveled in certain parts of their body. Since worms are made up of 90% water, they will usually die because they don't have enough water in the soil.
  • Question
    What can I use as an alternative to a rooping iron?
    Community Answer
    A thick wooden stick can be used as a rooping iron on short notice. You can easily find these in the woods or below a tree.
  • Question
    I can't find any worms in the rain. What should l do?
    Community Answer
    Keep trying and looking at different spots. It doesn't have to be raining for you to be able to find worms.
  • Question
    Can earthworms be refrigerated?
    Community Answer
    Yes. This helps prevent your worms from turning to mush in warmer climates and will also slow down their squirming.
  • Question
    Do I need to buy all the tools, or can I just use a shovel?
    Community Answer
    A shovel will work fine. Once you've broken the soil, use your hands to sift through the dirt and feel for the worms.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article