Dew Worms Under The Microscope Your Questions Answered About Raising Canadian Nightcrawlers At Home

ANSWERING your QUESTIONS about how to build and set up a homemade Canadian Nightcrawler worm farm. Dave busts out the microscope for an up close and personal look at Canadian Night Crawlers. Dew worms, or nightcrawlers are one of the most popular fishing baits out there. They can get expensive if you fish a lot. For the cost of bait for just a couple of fishing trips, you can set up your own bait farm to raise Canadian nightcrawlers at home and have an endless supply of fishing worms.
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[@Wilderstead]

MORE BAIT FARM VIDEOS: 6 Month Bait Farm Checkin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2OUl3p3gpqfeZo WORM BIN Q&A and MICROSCOPE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goXdqXxqncqXZpI How To Start A Bin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp-8k3agq81nhK8 Microscope: amzn.to/3pmkX7P

[@blaircox1589]

My European nightcrawlers (trout worms) prefer the warmer parts of the big bin. They can move to parts at the edge below 10C or go towards the seed tray mats, which is in the 20's. They all hang out in the 15 to 20 spots. Makes sense. I get keeping the worms cool when you want to put them into their lower motabolism state. Almost hibernation, when you just want to store them. But to grow them, to breed them, you want temperatures closer to ground temperatures. In most parts of Canada, that's 15C. For soil, peat moss (soaked) and mixed about 50/50 with Frabil worm bedding bail (Canadian Tire) has worked very well. Pretty close to what the commercial guys use from what I could learn/find. The best part I learned reading the science literature is that the worms don't eat the organic material directly. They consume the fungi, mycelium and decomposing aspects of the material. Dew worms, the nightcrawlers shown in the video, are the slowest growing and to reproduce. The smaller European nightcrawlers (Dendrobaena veneta), often sold as 'trout worms' are bigger than red worms, but reproduce as fast and reach maturity with about three months. Compared to over six months for 'Canadian' nightcrawlers. They also tolerate more temperature ranges and fluctuations. Dew worms/Canadian nightcrawlers also prefer deeper depths, so keeping them cooler likely allows you to keep more in a bin. So definitely look into European nightcrawlers.

[@franklin3271]

Id like to get my hands on some. I'm in Southern Arizona and the heat seems to make short fat worms VS the same worm indoors that get long. Do you have a link I can order some. Its worth trying if I can get normal length worms outdoors in my shed where it gets well above 100.

[@MiscMitz]

Never thought about raising worms. Good idea

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

That was cool watching the worm under the microscope. Really cool to watch

[@Wilderstead]

Pretty neat, eh?!

[@DPowerOfRock]

As a new gardener and someone who passively likes bugs and worms and such, someone interested in survival skills, etc... I'm only 9.5 mins into this video and I already really love this content. Dunno how I got here, but I'm grateful to be idly enjoying this video. Thanks for this, bud!

[@dizzyowl76]

I bought the same microscope for my husband as a Christmas gift and he loves it. I am definitely starting a worm farm this spring. Thanks for the inspiration 😁 my garden will be happier and my son will love them for fishing 🎣

[@Wilderstead]

Cool! The only thing that annoys me a little about the microscope is that the focus ring is a little tight. I’m hoping it loosens up a bit with use. Cheers!

[@franklin3271]

Where did you purchase it? I'd like to get one for myself and my son.

[@OakKnobFarm]

That microscope is super cool. thanks for the run0-down on the worm bins

[@Wilderstead]

It’s pretty neat, eh! Later on I’ll try to remember to DM you some other pics over on Discord dude!

[@albaguerra3621]

WOW. Very interesting. I had never seen a worn through a microscope. You are not only fantastic, but great. Thank you for the lesson.

[@Wilderstead]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lelandhopkins2433]

I have holes on the bottom to if I have excess moisture it cones out the bottom and drains into a drain bin ....my worms get feed used coffee grounds, ground up potato peels, lettuce, brockly, carrots, celery, banana peels all is ground into real small pieces. My worms seems to be pretty happy and seems healthy. I use tap water but let it sit for a day.I use a gallon jug with holes on top of the screw on top.....I'm new at this four like 3-4 months now and now have 2 bins... PS. I enjoy your video's so much this is becoming a passion for me to care for my worms. I'm retired so it gives me somthing to learn and accomplished......

[@ofcmarshalllaw]

Spectacular ! I never knew this much about the night crawlers. I have 3 of your videos saved because I want to grow my own as I fish a lot here in the US ( Utah) Back in my day, we used to see worm stands from people .50 a dozen, now you don't see those and it's even harder to find a store that sales them. Wal-Mrat sales "Canadian" worms for about $3 US dollars. I might start my own farm and put a dd out for $1 a dozen. Thanks for this wonderful info !

[@Wilderstead]

Great to hear!

[@franklin3271]

Me too 😁💯👍

[@franklin3271]

They are 7 bucks a dozen in southern Arizona.

[@offgridwanabe]

Yep I'm going with the "Wormfather" lol thanks for the information my bin has been doing well this winter in the garage, as a kid my father always had a worm bin so we could afford fishing trips that local golf course supplied enough for starting and heavy summer usage.

[@Wilderstead]

The wormfather 😆

[@SopheiaSalvatorex3]

I live in Mississauga, ON and I find a ton of these worms in my garden. I grew up picking them from garden soil for fishing whenever the rain comes up since I was 8. My cousins in Brampton do the same. I'm almost 100% sure that they are these Canadian Nightcrawlers. They look EXACTLY like yours and all the pictures I find of them online, especially now under the microscope! I'm not 1000% sure but I think I could argue that they aren't native to Canada lol. I'm on my first journey raising these worms and semi vermicomposting with them, and in about 2 months, I seen a cocoon just like the one you had under the microscope. Thank you for your videos, it has truly helped me and continues to. God bless you

[@wingnutbert9685]

Was just at Can'tadian Tire. $15 for 18 worms!!!!!! So glad to find your vid's! Just taking up fishing and want to set up a worm farm in the garage. We're on Van. Island, so temps are less extreme. Should be ok in the in-house garage. Thanks for doing these videos!

[@Wilderstead]

Wow. 6.99$ for 2 dozen at our closest Canadian tire.

[@wingnutbert9685]

@@Wilderstead WOW! Must be Van. Island tax! LOL! Hoping to harvest some from around hear. I don't have much topsoil here, so may hit a couple school fields or the municipal yard dirt pile. Going to try a worm grunting stick and a worm zapper. But need to see if a zapper can work with battery power instead of 115v AC. (Unless I find a school has an outdoor plug! LOL!)

[@fredfrond6148]

Wow, nice to see people farming in the North.

[@CranberryHollow]

Fascinating 🤩 My kids want to raise worms for bait. They'll love this video.

[@Wilderstead]

Cool! I linked a couple of our other neat worm videos in the description that they might like, too!

[@HildeAzul]

I raised Canadian night crawlers and kept in my garage in the PNW (built in) they lived in a four foot deep McGaivered bins so they could burrow and I ended up with more (via cocoons) than what I started with. I think it is a massive myth that Lumbricus Terrestris needs 5 -10c (40ish F). We have plenty coming up on hot summer nights here in the PNW I have placed organic composted cow manure in my teeny tiny gardens and I will see 50 buddies in my back patio garden (warm summer nights) when it is cold they do not come out (under 40F.) people say that their Lumbricus terrestris last six months… because they place them in the fridge… One more thing, if someone has soil outside that already invites worms, use this mixed with some composted cow manure, mulched dead leaves and any other organic material, even cardboard. Be careful not to cause a mesothermic / thermophikic reaction with too many leaves and cow manure. Also, they don’t eat too much kitchen scraps I found they loved the love the used moldy espresso pucks (because the fungal microbes etc is actually what they eat) So, my Canadian’s were ‘reduced’ I know I know. I dug out only bedrock and made new better soil but I had some Canadian’s then the ones that were out last summer, I thought would die over winter (not realizing they burrow 6-12 feet deep and sorry if ‘hybsrnate’ as they live for 10 or wall so years! So I released them as a group with many newbs and they are all still hanging out in the garden!! (I became obsessed with worms as I was studying the soil microbiome and found out about worms and how healthy the eh can make the soil etc.. hubs says ‘you know in Texas we had 12 inch worms” I did t believe him, looked them up, sure enough. Then I found them while I was digging out my soil! Here we are one year later, I have spent the last year studying annelids. They are so very cool! One thing, I just found out that most Anecic worms like the LT’s will keep burrows for a lifetime (if they remain undisturbed) and each potential mate visits the other mates potential burrow to find out if the mate is suitable. Crazy right?!?! Scientist believe that since LT’s mate with other LT’a of the same general size, the burrow visit divulges that info. Also, LT’s if remain undisturbed can mate for life. Cool right! One last parting thought the LED light is hated by the worms, they are photo sensitive but if you can get a super bright red light on that scope, they will not move around as fast as they will not even notice the light!!!! I use my macro lenses with a basic LED red light head lamp and I can sit outside for hours watching them without them even noticing… Mold is okay, they eat mold..

[@gavinblaedow9255]

I have learned alot from this series I might setup some bins eventually to feed some large fish I keep in aquariums I think I would like to eventually setup a red wiggler bin because my fish like the smaller size worms and they have a faster turnaround.

[@Willow_and_Sage]

I will finally be moving back to southern Ontario soon! So excited to be going home!

[@franklin3271]

Thanks for sharing. I have definitely picked up a few tricks. Hopefully this year I have a good harvest.

[@Wilderstead]

I hope so too!

[@ericprater4017]

Way cool! thank you for the info! Looks like I've got some worm composting in my future.

[@Wilderstead]

Good luck!

[@tracycoleman7713]

super cool...I thank you for your info!

[@TheCanadianBubba]

My first mother in law was big into vermicomposting... the dewey's were great for fishing, the red wigglers not so much. Never knew about the expanding cocoons, that scope is a great thing to have !

[@lelandhopkins2433]

I have some pretty fast worms take can going in the soil pretty quick when the want to

[@aprilayotte9905]

Over winter, how often should they be fed? How often are you adding compostables to the bins?

[@HiddenBlessingsHomestead]

Very cool!!! I learned alot, love the close up shots. We are blessed to have alot of night crawlers even though we are on alot of rock, they love the sheep pasture, so much so that it was hard not to step on them going out there after a rain. Used to gross me right out when they would slap the sides of my boots when I accidentally stepped on them lol.

[@tombeckett4340]

Awesome thanks great job 🇨🇦👍 I’m starting today. Looks like fun. Might be a bit of a hassle keeping the worms at proper temperature all year. We have a full basement. My barn isn’t heated and doesn’t have animals to maintain any heat. 🤔

[@lelandhopkins2433]

I fish. I started my worm farm left over night crawlers and small red worms. I use bins like you have. I have worms that have reached over 9" inches long. I also have worms that have change color what I call onion, cream color..

[@Wilderstead]

That is awesome!

[@nancyfahey7518]

These 3 videos were so good. Thank you for your time. I have a huge fish tank garden and i let the worms do their thing. Do they poop on the top and lay their eggs on the bottom?

[@lelandhopkins2433]

I use old magazines. Tear out soak place on top. Winter temp been around 37-43 at night going up to 50- 60 during day. I keep my worm bins in my travel trailor and turn electric heated heater at night on low

[@Wilderstead]

Great tip!

[@sigurdurmarolafsson4183]

Hello, I was just wondering..... Is there a bad odor that comes with doing this??? I saw that you had your waders etc close to the bins in the container and it just popped in my mind. Greetings from Iceland.

[@trollforge]

We (Canada) officially moved over to Veg Ink when I was in HS, so Late 70s, early 80s... (77-82) but it was legislated, not cost saving... I remember my Dad bitching that it was going to drive the cost of newspapers up... it didn't.

[@Wilderstead]

Yup!

[@tomarmstrong1846]

Excellent video!

[@Wilderstead]

Thanks

[@franklin3271]

Subbed because your content is awesome. Thanks.

[@Wilderstead]

Welcome!

[@SaskFisher]

Loved the video! Your videos are helping so much! I have 1 question unless I missed it from the video. From the point I put these lovers into a box, how long until babies arrive? I am finding around 6 weeks? Then from there 70-300 days to mature? Also from what you said from time to mature....why would there be such a big gap in days? Thanks!!!

[@Wilderstead]

The big gap is based on time of year/soil, temps, etc. The worms will grow quicker during the warmer months, and slower during the cooler months.

[@ruthcaskenette8854]

Another great video 🤟

[@Artsywoodburns]

I read somewhere to keep the warms 55-75 degrees but you’re saying 40-50. I can put mine in the garage where it’s cooler but it’ll still be up there. Can’t imagine it’s much cooler than outside other than it is shaded. Ideas?

[@greatoutdoors3931]

Just came across this video… can you mix night crawlers with red wigglers?

[@RandomsFandom]

Once i found a football size cavity full of these.

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

Microscope? Dave has a new toy! Dave also has worms...lol

[@Wilderstead]

🤣

[@TheHideawayLife]

Dave, you ever do much with composting worms? Vermiculture? Red wigglers? I have for a couple years mainly for castings to use for starting seed but have never really been successful with them for fishing. The odd rainbow or white fish but nothing slamming. Ever try them?

[@Wilderstead]

I’ve done red wigglers in the past. And I’ve had good luck using them for small brook trout in small streams in southern Ontario. I definitely prefer the big dew worms for general use bait though.

[@jefftaylor114]

I recently lost my entire colony of crawlers that were in a refrigerator at around 40 degrees F. They were fine for about 2 months and then they all came to the top and died. Any thoughts as to why that would happen?

[@kh83401]

I was going to raise these 25 years but read a book that said they require 4 cubic inches of soil per worm to grow to maturity. This does not seem be the case, correct?

[@Wilderstead]

Maybe, but I've never measure cubic inches vs worm population before. Sorry!

[@stacyclark5910]

What are dew worms? Thanks

[@mike2687]

For my options 5-10 C will be difficult to maintain in my garage--are you familiar with worm species that do better in warmer conditions or should go with the local worms (Virginia Beach, VA)?

[@Wilderstead]

From what I gather, red wrigglers can handle higher temperatures. Don’t quote me on that, but it’d be worth looking into.

[@mike2687]

@@Wilderstead - thanks, I will... my sons (4 & 6) have three eastern box turtles and they love their worms--trying to save some money!

[@josephmcgee8450]

Can I Purchase a worm bin with Canadian Night Crawlers for Fishing?

[@1planters]

It's an older video but maybe i can run a couple of questions buy you? I have a 6000 gallon koi pond in the backyard and all the fish kicked off. Right now it's got smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, a couple of perch, some big golden shiners, a couple of eels, and a few other things. Well I'm finding very quickly that at $8 a dozen minimum it's costing me 15 bucks a day to feed them shiners. Yesterday I grunted up a few hundred worms. They were not red wigglers nor the invasive night crawlers but they were a great sized worm for fishing New England. I do wish I could identify them. I guess my question is really this. Can I mix all these worms together with the same results as if I just put the deworms in their own containers. I've got to start pumping out crawlers and worms or I will be in big trouble. I've also been buying one and a half to 2 in feeder goldfish from the local fish / aquarium box store. At 15 cents a piece I can buy an awful lot of them for a $20 bill by the same token that turns out to be an awful lot of Jefferson's. A pal I mine connects three totes together and is hoping that when the worms have little to eat they will migrate to the totes with lots of good sweet duff and clean compost. I'm grunting up a ton of what I thought were redwigglers but they are either small crawlers or large wigglers but they are neither. Any idea how many kinds of worms that can be purchased for resale or pond food. Sorry to bug you my friend but will worm farmering different species together cause me any difficulties. You have a great day and this is an old video so I hope you're still surviving. Thanks

[@Wilderstead]

I think it would be worth experimenting to see if the various species of worms would coexist peacefully with one another. My thinking is that it would be fine. The only downside might be that some species may have optimal temperature ranges that differ from others. If you try it out, let me know what happens!

[@1planters]

@@Wilderstead Well first off I got to tell you thanks bud !!! I am deep into spending far too much money on large shiners and pet store feeder fish mainly because I never imagined how often they can and want to eat large or medium shiners.

[@1planters]

@@Wilderstead Thank you for the unbelievably fast response. I think for my purposes I don't really care if earthworms, fiddler worms, wigglers or whatever else there is out. I can fall somewhere within their temperature zone for all species of worms/ crawlers. I was even thinking of a small wire partition between the halves of my worm bins so that the red wigglers and such can easily move on to better grazing but the crawlers will be stuck until I move them. Nothing ventured nothing gained. I will let you know the results. I'm sorry to say you were so fast at answering and addressing my questions that I'm probably going to hit you up again. Sorry about that but I did have one last question. Do you have any idea how many species of worms there are that are harvested for fishing purposes. The more I look into it the more I'm finding. I don't know where you're located but it's hotter than a pistol here today and Asssachusetts so all I can do is clean the Garage where it's cool. Life always got dumb ass projects in the work and I don't know how I would live otherwise. I do know that in a few hours I will be heading out into Massachusetts Bay for some blue fish for bait with the ultimate goal of catching a couple 200 lb football blue fins.

[@Wilderstead]

I'm not sure how many species of worms are harvested for bait. It would vary based on location. You could do a google search for native earthworms to your area and probably get a general idea of local worm species. We are located in northern Ontario, Canada. North east side of lake Superior. Good luck with the blue fins!! Always been a dream of mine to do a trip for them!

[@1planters]

@@Wilderstead Well come on down to Boston. You know how fishing is but I'll bet you I can put you on some football blue fins weighing from 80 lb to 200 lb but I don't think I can help you much if you're looking for an 800 pounder. I just don't have the gear. The 800-pounders don't matter much because a hundred pounder will strip your reel before you even know he's hooked. Haha. Let me know when you're coming and I'll have the spare bedroom ready and the boats only a mile away in the water waiting to go. This afternoon the dog and I are going to go out and see if we might be able to catch some striped bass. I'm afraid it might be a little choppy out there but I will find out. Later buddy boy and I'm going to have to do some worm grunting tonight. I've got to do it in a nice public location so I attract the attention of the cops and anyone walking by and they can tell them I'm trying to contact aliens buried beneath the soil. Well I got to finish cleaning the garage just to keep the old lady happy. I don't have to. I don't have to do anything but I'm going to clean the garage anyway

[@genedavis759]

Can you reuse the soil for worms ?

[@Wilderstead]

You can either reuse it by adding in fresh organic matter (leaf litter, etc) or just use the soil in your garden.

[@moon699ik5]

Can you throw loaf bread in there for worms to eat?

[@Wilderstead]

I would avoid that. It would likely go moldy before the worms had a chance to eat it all. Maybe in small pieces and not much at a time. Not sure.

[@moon699ik5]

@@Wilderstead thank you

[@mikegentile13]

Where do you recommend i purchase my initial 2 dozen?

[@Wilderstead]

A bait shop would be a good choice.

[@fishingmaster99]

Is topsoil ok to use??

[@genedavis759]

Where do they come from origonaly ?

[@Wilderstead]

Europe.

[@user-vm8oi7dv4h]

Dont release in your garden they take over yur yard ground and neighbourhood, and leave golf gall sized mounds that wreck your ground , ankle twister, no sports can be played, havoc