African nightcrawlers, also known as Eudrilus Eugeniae, is a very common commercial worm. It can be used as bait for fish, and also for composting. These African worms can be found in composting bins and worm farms; and can also produce its own batch of rich worm castings
, just like Red Wiggler
worms.
Can you mix red wigglers and African nightcrawlers?
Red wigglers and nightcrawlers are two worm species you can use on your farm to maintain and/or increase the fertility of plants’ soil. But, the question you’d like answered is, “can you mix red wigglers and nightcrawlers?” Yes, you can.
What type of worm is best for composting?
The type of worm most commonly used for vermicomposting is the red wiggler. That’s why this method of vermicomposting is also called red worm composting. The red wiggler species (Eisenia fetida) loves living in rotting organic material and manure and is extremely efficient at breaking it down.
Are nightcrawlers good for the garden?
Nightcrawlers are beneficial earthworms that provide natural aeration of soil. They allow water and oxygen to penetrate more easily into the ground. Their feeding and excrement helps recycle nutrients and fertilize the soil.
How fast do African nightcrawlers reproduce?
Very Fast Reproduction Rate
African Nightcrawlers produce approximately 2-3 cocoons per week with 2-3 babies per cocoon averaging out to about 6-7 worms per week.
Can nightcrawlers live in potting soil?
Gritty soil particles also aids the worms’ digestive process. Potting soil, or soil from outdoors is fine.
How do you compost with nightcrawlers?
Unlike red wigglers, nightcrawlers prefer that their food is placed on top of the soil. They come up to the surface to eat, then burrow back down again. Make sure that the food isn’t covering the entire top surface and leave the corners and edges clear so worms can head back down when they’ve had their fill.
What’s the difference between European nightcrawlers and red wigglers?
The European nightcrawler worm is actually the worm cousin of red wrigglers. But they only differ in the size (European’s are larger). You can find them burrowing and thriving in most compost heaps or piles of animal manure.
What is the difference between red worms and nightcrawlers?
Definition. A red worm is an earthworm used in composting food scraps and other organic material and as fishing baits while a nightcrawler is a large earthworm found on the soil surface at night and used for fish bait.
How do you make Nightcrawler worm bedding?
Bedding options include finely shredded matte paper, peat moss and coconut fiber. Moisten paper bedding by spritzing it generously with water; moisten moss or coconut fiber by submerging it completely in water and wringing it out well.
Are nightcrawlers the same as earthworms?
Nightcrawlers Have A Segmented Body, Earthworms Have An Unsegmented Body: Nightcrawlers are segmented, meaning they have different sections to their bodies. On the other hand, Earthworms do not have a segmented body and instead just one long part with no divisions between each area of the worm’s body.
Are nightcrawlers good for raised beds?
Best Worms for Vegetable Gardens
Larger worms, such as night crawlers, are favored in the garden. Because these garden worms dig deeper into the soil where the soil temperatures are around 50 degrees F., they can survive when air temperatures are extremely cold or hot.
Are nightcrawlers good for potted plants?
Nightcrawlers, red wigglers, and pot worms are the best worms to use in potted plants. Adding too many earthworms can cause damage to plant health.
What can African nightcrawlers not eat?
You should never add meat, animal products, dairy products, or greasy, oily foods to the worm bin. The oils, meat, and milk become rancid as they decompose. Rotting oils cause a powerful and unpleasant odor.
How much space do African nightcrawlers need?
Drill 20 to 50 eighth-inch holes around the top 4 inches of each 5-gallon bucket to provide plenty of aeration for your African nightcrawlers. The holes also will allow you to stack the buckets without cutting off oxygen to the worms, which breathe from the bedding through their skins.
How many African nightcrawlers are in a pound?
The African Nightcrawlers are shipped in breathable bags and are breeder size. There are approximately 250 worms per pound.
References:
- https://gardenerthumb.com/mix-red-wigglers-and-nightcrawlers/
- https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles/worm-composting-basics-for-beginners/
- https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/nightcrawlers
- https://midwestworms.com/blogs/worm-blog/the-amazing-african-nightcrawlers
- http://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/steps.html
- https://www.gardenguides.com/81544-use-nightcrawlers-compost.html
- https://unclejimswormfarm.com/types-of-nightcrawler-worms/
- https://pediaa.com/what-is-the-difference-between-red-worms-and-nightcrawlers/
- https://goneoutdoors.com/make-worm-bed-nightcrawlers-12122228.html
- https://www.simplegrow.com/pages/whats-the-difference-between-nightcrawlers-and-regular-ones
- https://www.gardensalive.com/product/the-worms-go-in-the-worms-go-out
- https://gardeningmentor.com/can-you-put-earthworms-in-potted-plants/
- https://unclejimswormfarm.com/worm-feeding-best-foods-composting-worms/
- https://www.gardenguides.com/how_5597371_raise-african-nightcrawlers.html
- https://www.amazon.com/African-Nightcrawlers-LBS-Live-Worms/dp/B06XS61QCB