Worm Composting: Raising Nightcrawlers

When it comes to Worm Composting: Raising Nightcrawlers, you must take note that there are typically three kinds of Nightcrawlers known today. These Nightcrawlers are the European, Canadian, and African. To find out more about these worms, let’s discuss on to these further.

What are Nightcrawlers?

Nightcrawler worms (can also be used for worm composting) are a lot larger compared to Red Wiggler worms. They can measure up to 25 cm long, and 1 cm thick. And as red worms have been recognized for their red skin tone, nightcrawlers can be distinguished for its dark-colored head (which contains the worms brain); and a lighter colored tail end. And just like any worm specie, they too are slimy on the surface, and has tiny bristles all over its body (also known as setae). The setae of worms typically help them move around. Also, these nightcrawlers can also be sold to fishermen (that are looking for fish bait), or can be purchased in local bait and garden stores, or through a number of online shops.

European Nightcrawlers

The first kind of Nightcrawlers would be the European Nightcrawlers (also known as Eisenia hortensis). They’re also called Belgian worms, Blue Worms, or Super Red. And you’re also likely to find this type of worm buried in a compost heap or in a manure pile. Other than that, they’re also (more or less) twice as big than your typical red worm. These nightcrawlers also have a longer shelf life; and dwells well in locations at room temperature (can be contained in this condition for about 21 days longer compared to red worms). And just like red worms, these too can be easily raised and bred; and can also be fed with organic wastes (except bones), just like red worms.

Canadian Nightcrawlers (Lumbricus terrestris) also known as ‘Dew Worm’

The Canadian Nightcrawlers on the other hand, are another type of nightcrawlers (also known as Lumbricus terrestris). It’s a very large worm, and is commonly used as fish bait. These Dew Worms are also not cut out for keeping in worm bins. They’re actually soil burrowers, and are good at creating deep soil tunnels. And when compared to worms usually used in worm composting, they only resurface to feed under moist conditions (at night), or when it rains (heavy downpour); and they thrive better under cooler temperatures, and spaces that are less congested.

African Nightcrawlers (Eudrilus eugeniae)

Another kind of nightcrawler would be the African Nightcrawlers (are also considered as composting worms). It can be typically found at some parts of the world, mostly in areas that are hot or humid. But take note that these nightcrawlers may die if placed in conditions wherein temperatures change to 10 Celsius or 50 Fahrenheit. You can read more about Worm Composting: Raising Nightcrawlers at several worm blog websites today; and get a lot of useful information on these types of worms online. You may even check this very informative site for more cool worm stuff: Gardenworms.com/blog.