Anyone have any references for what is needed to raise your own worms? I was thinking of giving it a shot, but don't have a ton of room. I was thinking of using a 30 gallon Rubbermaid container, but not sure what else I need
Raising your own worms
- Thread starter davdev
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They sell really cheap kits at Scheels here locally, which basically contain a styrofoam container with breathing vents at the top, some worm bedding, and some worm food. I know you can use coffee grounds as nutrition .. and newspaper bedding that is damp.
I also have heard they double stock every 30 days and grow at decent rates but I don't know if I could raise enough to feed my catfish and rays myself.
I also have heard they double stock every 30 days and grow at decent rates but I don't know if I could raise enough to feed my catfish and rays myself.
No, you don't want to use tea grounds of coffee grounds because it's too acidic. They can't handle much of it.
I currently am working on my 3rd worm bin. And it's not as hard as it seems.
Go out and get some plastic rubber made totes, drill holes in the top of the lids for ventilation. I use peat moss, play sand, news paper, and cardboard egg cartons for bedding. I like to get it all nice and wet, and let it sit together for a few days so it dries a bit, and it's just damp.. (the worms only dig about 5" down into the dirt, so I say 8-9" of dirt will suffice.) Don't go heavy on the sand either- a handful is enough. It's just to help with traction for the worms.
Then you can add your worms.
For food, you can give them a variety of things... bread, veggies, fruits... I throw koi food in as well as dog food as well sometimes. Stay away from cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. They are too hard and will sit in the bin forever.
Make sure to mix the dirt around about once or twice a week, and make sure it stays moist. Also, do not add grass clippings, as it keeps the heat in, and can over heat your worms. It also will sprout all over the place!
They breed very quickly, so you will have to either add another bin, or make them a bigger bin.
I just started with a handful in March, and I am at about 4-5 handfuls!
I currently am working on my 3rd worm bin. And it's not as hard as it seems.
Go out and get some plastic rubber made totes, drill holes in the top of the lids for ventilation. I use peat moss, play sand, news paper, and cardboard egg cartons for bedding. I like to get it all nice and wet, and let it sit together for a few days so it dries a bit, and it's just damp.. (the worms only dig about 5" down into the dirt, so I say 8-9" of dirt will suffice.) Don't go heavy on the sand either- a handful is enough. It's just to help with traction for the worms.
Then you can add your worms.
For food, you can give them a variety of things... bread, veggies, fruits... I throw koi food in as well as dog food as well sometimes. Stay away from cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. They are too hard and will sit in the bin forever.
Make sure to mix the dirt around about once or twice a week, and make sure it stays moist. Also, do not add grass clippings, as it keeps the heat in, and can over heat your worms. It also will sprout all over the place!
They breed very quickly, so you will have to either add another bin, or make them a bigger bin.
I just started with a handful in March, and I am at about 4-5 handfuls!
Good to know!!!! Thank you ... Everyone I know keeps telling me coffee grounds so I'm happy to know that they are not good if I ever start my own.
You can use coffee grounds, but you aren't to use much. IMO, they can do without them. I wouldn't want to run the risk by adding something they don't need.
Worms are super easy, and it's actually pretty fun believe it or not!