S_Merlo
User
A Hatchling Earthworm
| Posts: 11 |   |
|
How do you know what kind? - 2008/07/02 16:39
Hi again. In case you all can't tell, I'm very much an inquisitive newbie to vermiculture. I have a test bin all set up to go, with corrugated cardboard, a little pre-decomposed material from my compost pile, some old ragged denim (since I can't use local newspaper, bleh) and a handful of veggie scraps to get started. As I plan to let that start rotting somewhat, I've been shopping locally for the worms at baitshops et al.
My question now is, how do I know if I have the right worms? My local baitshops say they have "red wigglers", but when I look at the container, the lid says "Big Red Worms". Are they the same thing? The bait shops say that they're not the same... but the websites I look at say that they are what I need. I'm getting cunfuzzled 
I don't really want to buy online, since my bin is kinda small for now and I don't want to kill a pound of worms right off the bat. But, I don't want to buy the wrong species locally, either. Would I have a better shot at getting the right stuff if I go turn over some horse/cow patties? Should I look under fresh patties, or find someone who is composting farm manure and see if they'll let me have/buy some worms from them?
I'm open and ready for any and all ideas. Thanks!!!
Post edited by: S_Merlo, at: 2008/07/02 17:17
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
redhen
User
A Protected Species Earthworm
| Posts: 662 | |
|
Re:How do you know what kind? - 2008/07/02 22:15
My local bait shops say they have "red wigglers", but when I look at the container, the lid says "Big Red Worms". Are they the same thing?
Bait shops sometimes label "eurpopean nightcrawlers" as redworms because most people want a real "nightcrawler" when they see a "nightcrawler" label.
You can name a worm anything you want. If you want a specific worm you need to ask for the scientific name.
Would I have a better shot at getting the right stuff if I go turn over some horse/cow patties? Should I look under fresh patties, or find someone who is composting farm manure and see if they'll let me have/buy some worms from them?
If you have horse manure available go have some fun and find your worms in those old piles.
Bait shops are an expensive way to get started.
Susan Quinby-Honer
redhen@nc.rr.com
Starve the Landfill...Feed the Earth. |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
S_Merlo
User
A Hatchling Earthworm
| Posts: 11 | |
|
Re:How do you know what kind? - 2008/07/02 22:47
Thanks for the reply, Redhen. Now, I'm just wondering, in case I can't find anyone who will let me dig around in the farm scat, will the bait shop worms (Euro. Nightcrawlers) do the job as well as it's favored counterpart, the wiggler?
I'm really itching to get started. I already have the cardboard/denim bedding ready, and some kitchen veggie scraps rotting nicely. I'm just about ready for my new pets. I hope I didn't make a new wormbin, and not be able to get it going.
Oh, and call me paranoid, but I thought of another question. Ok, so I understand that glossy junk mail and papers are not good. But, what about glossy cardboard? I'm looking at all the wastes I have in my home, cereal boxes, etc. It's hard to find a box that doesn't have that shine. Some aren't as shiny as others, but they all have some grade of gloss. Or, am I just being too picky and just need to jump in with both feet and quit over-analyzing what I'm doing?   Hmmmm. Okay. I'm gonna rest my brain for a bit. I think I'm straining a few gray cells up there worrying about a worm bin that isn't actually started yet. 
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
squirminwormfarm
User
A Mature Breeder Earthworm
| Posts: 97 | |
|
Re:How do you know what kind? - 2008/07/03 12:48
Yes Euro's would would do just a good a job as Red Worms.
Where are from? Just curious since everybody on here gets along, if one of us is "local" enough maybe you could get together with one of us. We could get you some worms and talk about the old day & the weather.
Dave Wallace
Squirmin' Worm Farm
Plymouth, WI
www.squirminwormfarm.com |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
S_Merlo
User
A Hatchling Earthworm
| Posts: 11 | |
|
Re:How do you know what kind? - 2008/07/03 13:52
Yes Euro's would would do just a good a job as Red Worms.
Where are from?
Ok, I think I'll try the Euro's. Wish me luck!
Squirminwormfarm, I'm in the Southern part of Middle Tennessee. If anyone has ever been to a Tennessee Walking Horse Show, you may possibly have been to my town. Every August we have the largest horse show... the Tennessee Walking Horse Show and Celebration.
With all these horses, maybe I'll find a real wiggler somewhere in this town, lol!
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Swimmus
User
A Mature Breeder Earthworm
| Posts: 83 | |
|
Re:How do you know what kind? - 2008/07/03 22:30
One other note, bait shops also offer Canadian Nightcrawlers and they WILL NOT work for you. Like Red Hen mentioned, you can always find underthe poop (or under a pile of damp leaves in the forest)
www.wormcrusader.com |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
Tweeza
User
A Fertile Cocoon
| Posts: 4 | |
|
Re:How do you know what kind? - 2008/07/30 17:06
S_Merlo wrote:
Oh, and call me paranoid, but I thought of another question. Ok, so I understand that glossy junk mail and papers are not good. But, what about glossy cardboard? I'm looking at all the wastes I have in my home, cereal boxes, etc. It's hard to find a box that doesn't have that shine. Some aren't as shiny as others, but they all have some grade of gloss. Or, am I just being too picky and just need to jump in with both feet and quit over-analyzing what I'm doing? Hmmmm. Okay. I'm gonna rest my brain for a bit. I think I'm straining a few gray cells up there worrying about a worm bin that isn't actually started yet.
Wow, that's amazing! I could have written that same thing but Merlo, you wrote it much better!!
Did you get your worms? I hadn't seen any worms here in Paradise (Texas that is) and didn't think they existed until this year. Saw one on the back porch in a pool of water and then one in the garden. Both were maybe 2in long and maybe 1/16th in wide and bubble gum pink. I haven't gotten any worms yet either. I've been toying with the idea of driving the 15 or so miles to a bait shop.
Tweeza
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
gnosnhoj
User
A Protected Species Earthworm
| Posts: 537 | |
|
Re:How do you know what kind? - 2008/07/30 21:57
S_Merlo wrote:
...cereal boxes, etc....Sorry I missed this, S_Merlo - I remember reading and meant to reply. Reckon my typing finger wasn't up to the task right then . Thanks Tweeza for popping it back up.
I shred & bed cardboard from pizza/shipping boxes to toilet paper rolls/dog food/cereal/cracker/12pack boxes, and have not seen any problems. I do mix this stuff with other bedding material; news/office paper & leaves. The denser stuff takes longer to break down in the bins, but it does all eventually disappear.
I'd read, not too very long ago, that the majority of that gloss is from a process that uses natural clay v scary chemicals.
Where'd I see it...? Not a dang clue, but it's stuck in my head along with a lot of other various & sundry stuff.
Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing.
Gary
Hopkinsville, KY |
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
timnbama
User
A Juvenile Earthworm
| Posts: 39 | |
|
Re:How do you know what kind? - 2008/07/30 23:17
S_Merlo wrote:
My question now is, how do I know if I have the right worms? My local baitshops say they have "red wigglers", but when I look at the container, the lid says "Big Red Worms". Are they the same thing? The bait shops say that they're not the same...
There's a good chance that they are Lumbricus rubellus which is another variety of red worm. They get bigger than the composting worms, are a little slower to reproduce than the fatidas and make a better bait. If they are Lumbricus they can get pretty large with the right density, right feed and proper moisture level in the bin. They will eat anything just like their smaller cousins do. I personally don't have any of the compost worms as I'm raising them more for bait worms than compost worms.
I think the African nightcrawlers are pretty good composters from what I've seen already and they are extremely prolific.
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
|
New Forum Topics 
