About Worms: Introduction to Compost and Live Bait Farms

Worm farms are becoming increasing popular in the United States. Worms are great helpers for conditioning and fertilizing our soil. From the smallest to the biggest farms, there are many environmental benefits to housing worms. If you are considering starting a worm farm either for personal or commerical use, this article will introduce some basics.

A farm that uses worms for compost is in the business of vermicomposting. Worms are stored in container bins to transform waste such as food scraps and leaves to rich compost. However, there are some items worms should not eat. Some things that you should not feed your worms are meat, manure, oily foods, garlic, onions, twigs, and weeds. Meat products and manure may contain diseases and poisons.

The Redworm, also called Red Wigglers or Eisenia fetida, is an excellent choice for composting waste. Another worm commonly used is the European Night Crawlers. Worms such as these breed regularly and have enormous appetites. People who are just starting out are suggested to use the 2 to 1 ratio for feeding. For every two pounds of worms use one pound of waste.

Another reason for a worm farm is to supply live bait. Worms are used for fishing bait or food for birds and reptiles. African Night Crawlers, Earthworms, Red worms, Catalpa worms, and Grub worms are a great choice for fishing bait. African Night Crawlers can be the most sought after worm because they are much bigger than the compost worms and do not expel the yellowish liquid which fish do not care for.

Mealworms, tape and pinworms are usually used for feeding birds and reptiles. Mealworms can be harder to care for. They produce a powdery substance, known as frass. Inside the frass you may find hidden Mealworm eggs and waste. Screen out the frass with a sifter and keep it in a separate container with damp soil and dry food such as pieces of potatoes. The eggs will hatch in about 4 weeks at that time you can move the larvae into another container.

Worms breed for live bait eat the same items as compost worms. However, they live in smaller plastic containers with less dirt or compost and strips of paper. If you desire to raise your own worms for personal fishing, then it is recommended starting with about 12-14 worms.

Worm farming is highly encouraged because of the benefits in recycling and overall benefit to the ecosystem. Waste in landfills will be less, crops improve, animals feed on a natural source, and the worms provide natural bait for fishing.