worm farm

[micah mack]

i need help getting a worm farm started. what materials do i need??? can i raise them in a fish tank??? were can i get them at??? what can i feed them???

[Leo Nguyen]

Micah, try this:

http://bigbluegill.com/group/livebaitfisherman/forum/topics/good-ti...

[dick tabbert]

Micah we have lots dedicated to raising worms on the site. If you need further assistance I will help in any way I can. Feel free to contact me or anyone at BBG will be more than willing to assist you.

[micah mack]

can i go buy night crawlers from walmart or any other bait place and raise them?

[dick tabbert]

Micah you don't want Canadian crawlers unless you plan on keeping them in the frig and for me that still didn't turn out well and that's probably what you will get at Walmart. Read Leo's suggested BBG site its full of info.

[micah mack]

thanks. that place worms cost so much. do you have any other websites i might be able to go?

[Leo Nguyen]

Micah, the worms you're buying form the bait stores are very lethargic since they've been refrigerated for so long. If you're want, search for the earthworms around your yard for pretty much free. You can spend a day or two searching near the forest/dense vegetation area from the suburb areas. Since you live in KY, there are plenty of great locations to find worms native to your area for staring up a compost bin. Just spend a few hours in the moist, shady areas of your location. You'll be able to find very hardy worms by the dozens as the days get hotter.

Aside from that, you have to purchase worms that can withstand your environmental conditions. Euro, African, and Canadian crawlers will not stand to your location climates. I'm fortune enough to live in the crazy climate conditions of California, but the weather here is warm most of the year.

[dick tabbert]

Micah I will tell you I don't have crawlers but I know in your area the Alabama Jumpers will probably do well. Again I don't do crawlers. I purchased my worms from http://unclejimswormfarm.com  so I can only vouch for them. My worms were when I received them very lively. I've had them this is going on my 4th years. If you do all the basics the worms will almost raise themselves. My worms I got were for composting. The worms are a smaller than red worms but I found that if you feed then Chicken starter feed they will bulks up quit a bit. Hey if you want to give me a call I'll answer all the questions I can. Dick 419-826-8011

[Leo Nguyen]

Just to add to Dick's worms:

1. Red Wigglies are great for composting in warm conditions.

2. Their super red is Euro crawler. Don't be confused. They don't have jumpers there. Trust me. I purchased worms there in the past all the time for wigglies and super red. Don't believe the jumpers are jumpers. Super red, again, is Euro crawlers.

3. Great competitive pricing at the site compared to other sites.

[micah mack]

thanks

[Leo Nguyen]

By the way Micah, you are blessed with a hardy population of the Amynthas agretis (jumpers) for your region. They are shorter than the Amanthys gracilis, but they are just as violent when touched/handled, and excellent composter/gardening worms that can survive through the harshest conditions. They exceed other crawlers on all level, especially the stench from their coelomic fluid.

Once my orange saddle-red wiggly hybrid explode back up again, I'll send to BBG members these wonderful stinky hybrid for your compost bins. They will influence your existing compost pile to produce the most foul coelomic fluid you can hope for to attract the fishes. They are the best when it comes to panfishing. Of course, they are very sensitive to cold (less than 65°F) and heat (greater than 95°F). They bundle up to conserve their body fluid and heat when the temperature drops or exceed their capacity. When that happens, you have to be very mindful of them, and attempt to save them.

[micah mack]

can i raise them in a regular bucket or do i need a special thing to raise them

[dick tabbert]

Most people go to family dollar and pick up a large dark plastic tote. Has to be the darkest one you can find worms do not like light. I got a few dark purple ones for 4 or 5 bucks a peace. Make sure you have the lid that go with them. Drill holes in the bottom lots of little holes 1/8 inch for drainage. Also drill lots of small holes in the lid for air. I bought a few  extra tote's and I put one the lids on the bottom of the worm bin to drain into. Elevate the worm bin from the botton lid so worms are not setting directly in the water. If your interested this will get you started. Remember even though the container is dark never put worms in direct sunlight and store in the coolest spot you can possibly find.