Worm Raising tips

[ejones1961]

I am going to build a worm bed and was curious if anyone had suggestions on bedding materials and what a good depth to have the bedding would be? Any other tips would also be appreciated.

Thanks

[shipahoy41]

Hey EJones1961,

Happy New Year. Check out this thread. It has been discussed here a few times. http://www.crappie.com/gr8vb3/showth...light=redworms

http://www.crappie.com/gr8vb3/showth...light=redworms

Hope this helps a little.

[ejones1961]

Thanks Ship I had read one of those threads but not the other. Last week I had visited my dad in south Georgia and someone had built him a bed out of one of the 250 gallon totes it was cut in half, his bedding was about 1 foot deep. His bedding was peat moss and peanut shells mixed together. He feeds them layer crumbles chicken feed and sprinkles it on top just a little at a time. He had drain holes cut in the bottom with several layers of wire screen over them keeping the worms in. he keeps a 15 watt light over the top and that keeps the worms from leaving. He wets it down once a week. He probably had at least 25000 worms in it a mixture of red and black wigglers. He started the bed in February with 3000.
I have some peat moss but no peanut shells and was curious what would be something good to mix in the bedding. I thought about trying rice hulls or something like that. Having his bedding 1 foot deep worked good for him , I do not have enough room for a 250 gallon tote for a worm bed and was considering using the top half of a 55 gallon drum and was trying to get an idea of how deep other people keep the bedding in their beds.
Sorry for being so long winded but this might give a better idea of what I am doing. I brought back a 1 gallon ice cream bucket full of worms and bedding probably at least 750 worms if not more to start a bed with.

Thanks.

[shipahoy41]

My worm bed(s) were made out of two large plastic laundry totes from Walmart. Cut some drainage holes in them and cover and seal the holes with really fine wire screening to keep the worms in. I had not heard of p-nut shells. I suppose they do they same job as shredded cardboard giving the worms something to eat. I usually just feed mine vegetable (lettuce) or fruit scraps (bananas, pears or grapes) and they are happy as a lark. I put a little in the corners so they can find it and cover the food back up with soil. They need the soil moist to help with the reproduction process, but not overly wet. I guess these containers are about 2.5 feet deep, 3.0 feet across and 4.0 feet long.


When I get ready to go fishing, I put some in my bucket and I am off Bluegill fishing.

[papa]

half spargum peatmoss and half processed cow manure

[Flyrod Man]

My nightcrawler bed is about a foot deep. I purchased some kind of bedding that looks like insulation but mixed with water it beads into black looking dirt. Its a pain in the neck to mix, because it floats and it must be squeezed and worked to soak it, but once you have it its great - stays damp a long time. I feed the crwlers once a week with food that stuff comes with - they come up and really eat the stuff. I use only nightcrawlers for wormharness fishing for summer walleye. Another trick to toughen your worms 24 hours b4 using wash them and put them in the frig overnite in water, they live in water (not mud) and change water during the day from the lake when using - the worms leftover can be put back in the beds. No messy hands and it really toughens them and they do live in water.

[Fessum]

Just an idea...If your really wanted peanut shells...you probally could talk to a manager at certain restaraunts (Logans Roadhouse) they probally would give you all you want...you might have to soak them in water and dry them....to remove the salt from hulls. Depending what part of the country your in...it might be another restaraunt where they feed you peanuts and you throw the hulls on the floor.

[john h]

i actually just save the darn things worms come in at bait shops then fill them after a good rain and stick in fridge

[shipahoy41]

i actually just save the darn things worms come in at bait shops then fill them after a good rain and stick in fridge

I hope they are well labeled. They could end up in soup or gumbo :D :D if you're not careful and fully awake while cooking.

[wannagofishin]

Man, everytime I log in I get a new "project" idea - now I think I need a worm set up...my little ones love to bluegill fish - keeps so active all summer - 2.50 or more for a dozen night crawlers gets a little pricey...

I like the idea of just gatering them up after rains, but we don't have very thick/big ones here...plus, do you all find if they are in the fridge too long they go bad...