Worm Box Questions

I need to make a worm box.Seems like worms in Arizona are made of gold,lol.$3.99 for a dozen or two.here it gets very hot in the summer,maybe 115 degrees.I have a shed outside,and that is about it.I was wondering if I could use an old bigger icechest,and then put ice on top in the mornings to keep them alive during the day.Even if I had to ice them down a couple times a day.And what is the best to use for soil or bedding?I read about putting damp newspaper on top,one more question.Can you mix nightcrawlers and say earthworms together in the same container and keep them alive?Thanks

Best advice, don't grow night crawlers. Grow Canadian redworms, they eat your garbage and grow like crazy. Can withstand much higher temps and you can sell/use the leftovers for gardening. They get prety big, not as huge as a big crawler but have some decent size to them.

Mealworms, Live crickets Red Worms at Worm Man's Worm and Crickets Farm will give you all you need for worms and raising your own. If it is not on the they have always been very helpful in getting you the answers you need.

Hey Fish 4 All.I looked through the websire and could not find any Canadian Redworms.African Nightcrawlers hold up well in high temps.

Sorry, I looked on there and it is the Euroworms that I was talking about. Should work well down there to grow lots and lots of them.

European Compost Worms

500/$44.34 delivered is 41 dozen which isn't bad, right about $1 dozen.
1000/$68.59 delivered is 83 dozen and $0.83 a dozen
They can be 6-8" long. Not a huge worm but if you can grow them yourself. They are shipped smaller but should grow fast if taken care of right. And the next generation is FREE as well as the next 100 generations if you keep them going.

http://www.wormman.com/pd_red.cfm

Those are smaller red worms but will produce more than one person should be able to use in a lifetime. If you don;t need big ones then these may be the way to go as they tolerate much more of a temperature range, if I remember right.

The compost worms that you are referring to are red wigglers, I think. A 1,000 are around $25.00 or so. Just GOOGLE red wigglers and you will find more info than you could ever need. I have raised red wigglers for years in a old freezer and they have with stood 110 degs during Okla summers. I keep them in an old freezer with the lid propped up year round. The freezer is in an open air shed under a tin roof under an elm tree. They have served me well over the years for trout and sunfish.

I have a 55 gallon drum cut in half, using the top half I put 3 layers os window screen over thae bung holes and also cut a few more drain holes in it. I use peat moss in mine, my dad gave me a good start probably about a half gallon mixed red and black wigglers. I wet down the peat moss as needed, usually 2 or 3 times a week (don't let it dry out). I feed my chicken feed layer crumbles and keep a small light on over them all the time (if they see the light everything is ok, if it is dark they will leave on you)

I purchased some "RED WIGGLERS" those with the red and yellow/orange rings around the body. I have an Styrofoam box from OMAHA STEAKS that I place some peat moss into, wet down enough that water did not drain out, placed worms on top of moss, covered with wet WALL STREET JOURNAL news paper, so they would be the smartest worms. The worms feed up in the mixture and will come up into the newspaper and consume it. You will have to keep the paper wet. I place a plastic soda bottle, three quarters full of water in the freezer, when solid I place it on top of the newspaper, this will keep the worms from crawling up and out of the container. DO NOT PLACE ICE CUBES directly on the surface and let them melt. THE CUBES CONTAIN CHLORINE from the drinking water and it will kill the worms, just like introducing ice cubes into your bucket of live minnows

Well guys.....I have not bought any worms in years. I raise my own red worms. I took an old drink box and drilled some holes in the bottom, placed screen over the holes and added four inches of gravel. Then I filled the box two thirds of the way with peat moss and composted manure mixed together. I feed the worms once a week with cheap dry dog food and I pour ten gallons of water in. Works for me.

Now that's the way to do it.

Everything looks "Great".Gave me lots to read for a couple of days now.I have decided to try the African Black Nightcrawlers.I had a 55 gal Aquarium in my shed,with a stand.That is my starting point,$18.95 for 100 of them with the book that tells how to take care of them.They will be the best for the hot weather out here,and an 8" worm will be kinda cool for my friends that will be buying them,lol.Maybe I can crossbreed them and make a new "Bluegill Wonder Worm".Hey catchy name.

Never mind, is on my own site, lol. Gonna have to find out about these monsters myself. Might be a good one to have indoors in a little box. I want to start some but don't have a lot of room so these might be the way to go. And an 8 inch worm would be soooo cool. The kids would never leave them alone.

fish 4 all,it was the link that you gave me.Let's wait and see what happens though.I got some email from them and it seems that the wife of the guy was stealing from him and orders were not being filled,Let's wait and see if they come,Such Drama.

Here is a better place.
Organic Worm Farm Online Store

Have dealt with them? Is about the same price for same number of worms, maybe more, maybe less. 45-55 worms in their 1/4 pound. Am just curious, is always goot to find other places to rely on when you need something fast. Wormman is out of stock anyway.

I have found on some sites that the Africans do not do well in high where others say they do. Could try both since the reds are so inexpensive if you can set up 2 different bins or more.

Greetings all,
I raise night crawlers in a plastic tub in my basement. Paper on bottom with a layer of worm bedding I bought for 2.95. I feed them coffee grounds. It works great. I have a cool damp "Michigan basement" and it works fine. Just keep them damp. I mixed night crawlers and red worms together and have had no problems. They grow all winter and in the spring I'm loaded with worms and ready to go. This string was great reading, thanks.

Well,we will see.I ordered the African Nightcrawlers,1/4 pound of the guys.I started getting the bin ready yesterday,put some holes in the bottow of the casket sized plastic tupperware box,put a screen down,then about 3" of gravel,I have a 25 lb. bag of "mulch" soaking in water seperate,and a 25lb. bag of "peat moss".They say to soak your mulch for a couple of days before the worms get here,my buddy is a landscaper so,he had this stuff in his back yard,was glad to get rid of it,lol.Hope for the best.I'll get a picture in here of the new fishing bait cage when the worms get here."Worms for Sale"lol.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. I started some worms this summer with the idea of transferring them to a tupperware casket like you are talking about but they are still in my little 1' X 1' X 1' heavy styrofoam cooler. It's a mixture of red wigglers and nightcrawlers and they seem to be doing fine together too. I bought some worm bedding too from BPS and it was nothing more than shredded up newspaper. I want to get some peat moss though and try them in that when I move them to the other container. I never heard of the idea of putting a light over them so they wouldn't leave but I guess it makes sense. They don't like light much.

Mike

Thanks to some tips from G3...here is my setup. I never buy redworms now. I keep the newspaper layer moist and feed them corn meal about twice a week.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...ormBucket1.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...ormBucket2.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...ormBucket3.jpg

When I go fishin I put a few doz in these and stick it in my fishin vest pocket.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...COM/Funky4.jpg

I use Red Wigglers when I fish for Shellcrackers, Bluegills and the occasional Crappie. Here are some more helpful tips on how I personally raise mine. I have not had to buy any red wigglers for over a year. They are always healthy and ready whenever I want to go fishing.

Get a container and add predrilled vent pipes for their air supply. I used a heavy window calk to attach it to the sides of the container. Use a small wire screen over the air vent in the top of the container. Mix Peat moss, manure and a good Miracle grow garden soil. (about 2/3 garden soil for every 1/3 peat moss and manure.) Fill your container 2/3 full. Add your red wigglers. ( I started with six cups from a bait shop)

Place folded and dampened newspaper on top of your wiggler farm. Feed the worms fine cornmeal a few times a week. Just pour some on top of the soil. they will come and get it. Stir your soil about once a month. Keep the newspaper damp and feed them cornmeal about twice a week. When you want to go fishing put about 3-4 doz in a smaller container and when you're done fishing put them back in the big container to reproduce some more. I started with six cups from a bait shop and nwo have six or seven hundred ready to fish at all times. Here are some photos of my setup. I keep it in the garage in the winter and in the garage or shed in the summer.

When you are ready to go fishing just put 3-4 dozen in a smaller container and just go fishin.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...y41/Funky4.jpg

or

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...CanofWorms.jpg


I use them on a tiny tube head jig like these.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...emberLures.jpg

This is an example of the results I get using red wigglers.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...NGFORGILLS.jpg

How big are those worms? I have not seen anything one keeping composting type worms in soil so this is different. Most of the ones I see sold here are night crawlers but supply sucks here.

My red wigglers might be 4-5 inches when mature. About half the thickness of a crawler. More tender, juice and "wiggling" movement than a crawler. Perch, Crappie, Shellcrackers and Bream love them. Put three on a hook and a Walleye will hit it too.

Easy to raise and you always have an unending supply. Plus, they to not wilt, die and smell like a crawler!

here's my new hobby house.I used 1/2 organic top soil and 1/2 shredded newspaper for bedding.They say that newspaper alone is just fine for these African Crawlers.I got 250 mature crawlers for $29.95.They will be here tomorrow.Soaked the bedding until it clumps when grabbed and is in my closet inside the house.I'll post a picture when they are in the box.I drilled 1/8 inch holes in the top and around the upper sides of the bin.Been keeping all of my potatoe peels,carrot peelings,onions almost everything.No fruit,dairy or meat.Anything else though.Watch your acids.

I heard from a friend that vermicomposts that onions are a bad idea too... I think they do red wigglers though

Thanks Chris,I took them out of my feed bag,lol.Don't need anything that anyone says is bad to be anywhere around,lol.

Make sure that the bedding doesn't get too wet. You don't have any drainage in that setup if I read it right so make sure that the bottom doesn't get muddy or soupy.

I have read that some fruit is fine but make sure to bury it so fruit flies don't find it and mites don't get too bad. Make sure to watch your pH, 7.0 or neutral is what I read as the prefered so make sure to add some lime and crushed egg shells to keep it where it belongs.

I really want to know how this goes. I am gonna start a couple of my own as soon as I can get everything together. Thinking of trying to get smaller numbers of all three, red worms, Euro Worms and African crawlers so I can figure out which one works best for me or just to learn them all.

Oh and I read that processing/mashing/dicing or whatever and freezing your "food" for the worms helps to break it down faster so it is easier for them to eat.

I was really carefull with the moisture level because there is no drainage.I know that I did everything correct and that organic worm site is excellent.The owner will email you any answers that you ask him.I got a PH tester too,lol.I am a worm rancher now,lol.Heck,I even got Purina Worm Chow,lol.

I am going to have Trophy African Nightcrawlers,lol.

Is that the site you listed earlier or another one? My site has become less than halpful and I need someone better. Is worth a few more $$ to me when I get good support with my products.

Here's the site that I used.I have looked at all of them,asked all of them questions and he had the best information.And he always answered my questions,all of them,sometimes a couple differant times,when the answer was not clear to me.
Organic Worm Farm Online Store

BTW,these worms are 8 inches long,fat and very active.Which to me means wiggley,lol.Not like the Canadians that are just a blob of meat on a hook.I think the best cat fish bait they will be also.

Sounds good to me, I found your earlier link and have already sent them a list of questions. I want to start small and maybe do 3 different ones, red wigglers, Euros and Africans. All of them will have their fishing applications and would be fun to see how the 3 differ in growth, needs and how fast they multiply.

Just got the worms.Right on time.They were all alive and started running around right away.Very lively.Followed the directions on the paper in the box,about when they first get here,and,so far,all is well.They are more lively then the worms that I get at the bait store right before I go fishing.So,after being in a mail truck for days,dry,then a squirt of water to bring them right back to life,is a good sign to me.I can see lots of bluegills and catfish in my near future.Great idea.Thanks to all that helped out,in any way.

I hope.

Oh well,there they are.I'll put another one in when I can check out what they really look like,lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by azslabber

I am going to have Trophy African Nightcrawlers,lol.

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:D:D:D

Well i contacted them and their reply wasn't that helpful to be honest. Seemed like they were simply in a hurry to get a generic answer out. Oh well, good thing there is a ton of information on the net to learn how to raise them. Not sure who I will buy from yet but gotta get everything set up first anyway.

That bedding looks kinda on the dry side but it could just be the picture.

I guess that it depends on what you are asking them.They answered all of my questions and then some.Here is a forum that I used to them.Seems like the answers are a bit more informative.
The Worm Expert • View forum - Raising Fishing Worms

You'll just have to register.

That dry stuff was from the bag that they sent the worms in,when I dumped them in there,lol.It's nice and moist now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fish_4_all

Oh well, good thing there is a ton of information on the net to learn how to raise them.

That bedding looks kinda on the dry side but it could just be the picture.

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That is so true. Let your setup just sit for a few days. Introduce your damp newspaper and then let the soil absorb moisture. It needs to be moist so the worms can slide easily and reproduce. NEVER EVER pour water on your soil. You are asking for trouble. Just let the damp newspapers work. Be sure you have air vent holes (tubing) throughut the soil. In about four more days introduce your red wigglers to their new ecosystem. (home) Pour some fine yellow cornmeal on the top. Cover and let stand.