Red Worms - Eisenia Foetida
They are a very good farming worm. If it grows and is dead, they will consume it. However, do not use meat or dairy products and very little lemon or lime. Red worms love pumpkins, watermelons, squash, fruit and a lot of vegetables. Lawn clippings and shredded paper are also favorites. The best temperature for growing worms is 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. There are about 1000 worms "bed run" per pound.
Use red worms for fishing and composting. When they are composting, they create castings or worm manure which can be used on gardens, lawns, hanging baskets and planters. Put about a tablespoon in the bottom of each hole, then some on top after planting. Do not use a lot on each plant. This is an organic fertilizer.
For plants, you can make a worm tea from the castings. Use 1/2 cup of castings in 1 gallon of water. Stir three or four times over a 12-24 hour period. Use right away, use all of it. Do not let stand.
Red Wigglers (Eisenia Fetida) also known as Red Worms, Tiger Worms, Brandling Worms, Trout Worms and Manure Worms. They are the most common composting worms used due to their quick breeding, adaptation to wide range of temperatures and ease of care. Red Wigglers can be raised in just about any container like a small tote or box, Worm Inn or many other types indoor and outdoor worm beds. They require a carbon rich bedding material capable of holding moisture such as cardboard, newspaper, dried leaves or composted manure. Given the right conditions red wigglers can eat up to 1/2 their weight per day in vegetable scraps, used coffee grounds, old tea bags,fruits, composted manure and many others. They breed fast and can double in population in just a couple of months. Red Worms can tolerate a wide range of bedding temperatures from around 45°F to 85°F. In additon to composting red wigglers also make great bait for pan fish and food for pets like birds, turtles, salt or fresh water aquarium fish, and reptiles. They're particularly great for cultivation and farming purposes, especially for local DIY worm farms. There are approximately 1000 worms to the pound.
European Nightcrawlers - Eisenia Hortensia
This worm is known as a Super Red, Big Red or Giant Redworm. They are 3" to 6" inches long and are a very good compost worm. Their hide is tougher and is also an excellent worm for fishing. Get a cup of this premier bait worm and take a kid fishing!
The European Nightcrawlers last longer on the hook and in a bait cup than either the redworms or the Canadian Nightcrawlers.
Euros are a good source of high protein food for pets, such as fish, lizards, turtles and birds.
They are a great all-around worm for fishing and composting. Use the compost in your lawn, garden, planters and baskets.
The European Night Crawler (Eisenia Hortnesis ) is the larger cousin of the Red Wiggler and more readily used as fishing bait. They are also known as Super Red Worms or bait worms. Like red wiggles they require the same type of habitat and food sources, however they do prefer a slightly more moist environments. They can grow up to 4-6″ long and as thick as a #2 pencil. They breed slightly slower than red wigglers but can still double in population every 3 to 4 months. The European night crawler can tolerate a slightly cooler temperature range. Their range is 25°F to 85°F degrees. People have ice fished with them and they can survive the frigid waters. European night crawlers make a great option for those wanting to utilize them for their composting needs and supply of live bait. There are approximately 500 worms to the pound.
