White Worms Complete Howto Start out, feeding, old cultures, new cultures

Everything about white worms in a single video. How to prepare the food for the worms, how to harvest and feed the worms, how to start new cultures of the worms. Plus, how to tell when the culture is about the crash and how to save the worms. Foods I feed and how I prepare the food. Also, inside my wine cooler to see the worm homes. David

[@roberthalama6902]

What you also give bread and butter? increased nicely.

[@djrramsey]

They do need some air exchange. Poke some very tiny holes either high up on the sides or in the top. Or cut a hole in the top and put a good filter material over the hole.

[@31X70]

hi david nice to meet u , i from malaysia ! recently i start with grindal worm culture , i using sponge to replace soil , feed them with oat and the worm also quite alot after , and my question is this gridal worm use soil will better ? and how about the food ? oat is ok ?

[@djrramsey]

A lot of people grow grindals on sponges. Never worked for me, but that is just me. I have a never ending battle with mites on grindals and soil. If they are eating and reproducing using oat then that is great. Most any carbohydrate grain is food for them.

[@31X70]

@@djrramseyi scare mites if using soil ... that y i do quite alot research about it , but after see yours video its really great when see the amount of worm

[@andersjensen4376]

when i start op a culture how meany worms do i need to put in the boks? they seem to be moving along the sides so are they abel to find in to the food them selvs?

[@djrramsey]

they will find the food. The more worms you start a culture with the sooner you can feed. Try to have at least 2 boxes going. If one crashes you still have 1.

[@andersjensen4376]

David Ramsey got aproxemetly 200 adolt worms shipped from UK splitted them op on 6 boxes, so hope they grov

[@SENTOSGIRL]

Amazing Video, I love all your video's they are so interesting, I love the way you have gone from start to finish on this one, Just Brill, Thanks for sharing :o)

[@djrramsey]

The last 4-5 minutes of the video show starting a new culture. You need slightly wet/damp potting soil, some food and add your starter. The worms don't come out the air like algae, you have to get some starter worms from someone. They are not found in 'yard dirt'. That is the hardest part of keeping them, first you have to find someone nearby who has them. David

[@djrramsey]

Someone asked if they could use white bread. Sure, the old method I heard was white bread and milk. Not much nutrional value there. That is why I changed to feeding and gut loading with whole wheat bread, yogurt or Kefir and some yeast. I want all the protein and vitamins and minerals gut loaded into the worms that I can get.

[@djrramsey]

completely different critters. Grindals want room temp, white worms in the 50sF. White worms are 2x - 3x the size of a grindal worm.

[@l3monpig]

I followed David's instructions exactly and for the last year or more my fish room has had a great source of nearly FREE live food. I breed wild type Bettas and some difficult to spawn blackwater ancistrus and they LOVE these worms. Live food seems to make your fish so much more healthy and active. If you're in or near central Ohio, I also sell these worms. Thanks David!

[@bostonmainemike]

Hey Dave, Are you selling cultures? I'd love to get a few small supplies going for my fish.

[@djrramsey]

Maybe you have Kefir in your area. Plain Kefir works just as well. It is the bacteria in the cultures that you are after.

[@djrramsey]

plain yogurt. It will stay good a long time in the refrigerator. The flavored yogurts have so many chemicals in them the worms don't do well.

[@kjpare]

Hello david, is it possible to make white worms without buying one?Hmm i cant really search on youtube or google it. Tnx

[@djrramsey]

Unfortunately you have to get the first white worms from someone. To make it worse, they are extremely temperature sensitive so they rarely ship and survive. Try local fish clubs, maybe someone there can hand you a starter of the worms. Actually getting some healthy worms to start with can be the hardest part.

[@--Paws--]

Can a soilless culture be made just like grindal worms? My grindal worms grow on scouring pads inside plastic tubs; live off of fish flakes and carnivore waffers. I use cotton swabs to collect them and the rest tend to gather on a plastic panel I cut off a container which I dunk into the water.

[@djrramsey]

I don't think so. I think if it worked it would just get too big too fast and crash. But I have never tried. Too easy this way.

[@--Paws--]

I see. Thank you for the response.

[@garethbarber5625]

Hi David, I noticed you use seed starting mix. Is this the soil.you always use? Predominantly this is peat moss, very acidic which the white worms love, in fact, in worm.composers/farms, the presence of.White worms means it is too acidic. Just wondering if you have noticed increased production using.the seed starting mix.

[@djrramsey]

I use to use potting mix but it has so many lumps I try to use seed starting mix. The M.... Gro potting soil works well also. I have a container with coir that is growing very slowly. I don't think the bacteria that the white worms need like the coir. So I will change it back to seed starting mix. All the mixes will be on spring sales soon so I can stock up for the next year.

[@hotashesreef472]

David Ramsey hi, what are your opinions on Arcadia earth pro bio-revitaliser to mix with top soil? Also I'm considering sedge peat to mix with my top soil? Are any of these good to mix with top soil for substrate? Thanks

[@fredyhernandez2700]

How did I end up here

[@michaelbaker2927]

Dave, when I try this method the bread really molds up heavy. Is this normal and do you just let the worms live in the mold or is there a way to prevent the heavy mold?

[@djrramsey]

Change the bread if it molds. I get a dingy whitish mold for a while on a new culture. Just change it every other day. Once you get the bacteria built up in the dirt the bread will disappear with the worms.

[@michaelbaker2927]

David Ramsey Excellent, you are my mentor Dave. Thank you

[@flopo2003]

kefir u just let milk in a jar outside the fridge !

[@djrramsey]

yes. not as good but still works fine.

[@1351992]

Have you ever tried culturing white worms in coco fiber/coir? if so, did the worms thrived? Thanks:)

[@m00se23]

Once again, great video Dave! Thanks for taking the time and trouble to do this for us. There are SO many variables with these and grindal worms and how to raise and harvest them. One picture is worth a thousand words here. Mites!!! Oh man, don't even get me started! #($%&#@!!!!!!!!

[@masayacomeyuca]

Hey David, nice video, I have never done this before how do I start a brand new colony? or culture from scratch?..can I start it w/o worms?

[@killisunapasion1285]

as you do, that will not rot , the substrate or the bed where they live ? how often you silent ? As you open each oxygen to enter ? its average temperature to be played which is thanks ESPAÑOL: como haces para que no se pudra, el sustrato o la cama donde viven? cada cuanto lo mudas ? lo abres cada cuanto para que entre oxigeno? su temperatura promedio para que se reproduzcan cual es gracias

[@royalspin]

I've even seen these guys in the snow which really took me by surprise . It was right after we had some fresh snow and I was out walking my German Shepherd at night ( she loves the snow) when I spotted a few wriggling up the blades of grass that was poking through the snow. I decided to set a saucer on top of the snow and waited till morning .The next day I had lots of them wriggling around in a tight ball in super cold water . Right now I see them everywhere because it's Fall and we've had some of our first storms roll through . So I usually set out some glass or plastic containers and fill them partially with water or set out a sheet of heavy plastic and let nature take its course . There's a bit of moss on parts of the yard and I've noticed that white worms love moss. We don't use any type of herbicides or pesticides at all and the soil is very healthy .Years prior it was a farmland with a couple of horses and goats . I waited till all the old manure was reclaimed by nature and only then did I harvest any worms at all . Now we have an abundance of insect activities and lots of big night crawlers that I use for fishing . Our property is divided in half by a small river that's rich in all sorts wildlife from ,bald eagles,deer ,elk,bear,cougars to migrating salmon of a few types and a few varieties of trout as well .This place is heaven if you're an avid outdoors person . It's awesome to have my own private fishing grounds right in my backyard and not be bothered by anyone . I had a couple white worm cultures going last year but life happens and I lost a loved one and lost all interest for a while .So I'm doing some research and getting new ideas which landed me here . You're right there's definitely a nasty smell when a culture crashes .I nearly lost my lunch when had one crash . I had forgotten all about them after losing my mom and went to check on them and like an idiot opened the container in the house ( bad idea) . Well anyway aside from all that.. great info and well presented .👍 I always used plain yogurt and regular yeast with dark wheat bread .Gonna have to try your method .

[@avijitroy1022]

where i will find some parents for harvesting ?? I really need to know .. will you please help me ?

[@tramhuynhthingoc5233]

Can i make the culture without yeast ?

[@GrowAndEatThis]

Yes. Dog food or cat food will work also.

[@djrramsey]

organic plain yogurt.

[@MegaCorvid]

David watched this and it shares a lot of great information really appreciate you sharing. One question I had that I didn't hear you mention is the water that you use to wet the soil as well as the water you use to clean the worms. Is it tank water or tap water, or does it really matter? Thanks.

[@johnny5isalive7]

My worms don't grow in the numbers like yours why is that

[@johncarlson3742]

Never mind - you gave that information @ 17:20 +/-

[@Movies39670]

Where can i get the paste dry milk? We can use any kind of dry milk right?

[@djrramsey]

David Yang The dry milk is actually unflavored yogurt or kefir. Some kind of cultured milk. The worms eat the bacteria in the milk. Either can be found in a grocery store or health food store. This is a common food made in many parts of the world.

[@Movies39670]

thank you so much

[@doneythomas]

@@djrramsey Can we feed these worms to the bettas, guppies and platies daily?.. are they gonna cause any problem to the fish if we feed it everyday?

[@GrowAndEatThis]

@@doneythomas I feed every day. Have for years. Feeding at least 200 baby apistogrammas that are 1/2". They swim around with white worms hanging out of their mouths.

[@jomsonjkc5863]

What is the temp. Inside the wine cooler...?

[@andersjensen4376]

okay the food i give seems to be a kind of hearri shall i leave it or replace with new or shall i leave out the bread in the start ?

[@CarlosGarcia-lb4fw]

Ok thank you very much, do you have a page in facebook that i can add you

[@boot1012]

thank you for sharing all your knowledge

[@sunilbhakta3613]

what is the name of white paste which u are pasting on the bread ?

[@CarlosGarcia-lb4fw]

And i can use only an unflavored yogurth or anyone is good

[@CarlosGarcia-lb4fw]

Ok an unflavored yogurth works in my countrie its all i can find

[@yuanlestat0727]

where can we get this from philippines? i wanna try this.

[@margittapawlenko9655]

this is just great ! thanks a lot for this information !

[@pmksai]

what is the substrate you use?

[@m00se23]

Yes I would like to know this too, Dave. I have Miracle Gro Organic Potting Soil which is what the seller told me he used, and I have Jiffy Organic All Purpose potting soil, which has a lot of peat and perlite in it. The Jiffy looks close to what you seem to be using in this video, but I wonder which is better, since the Miracle Gro seems a lot denser and doesn't smell of peat like the Jiffy does.

[@djrramsey]

Robert Cardinali I use whatever potting mix I have on hand. Right now I am using Miracle Grow Potting Mix. I have used the organic from Miracle Grow and Ferry Morse potting mix. I don't see any difference in how the worms grow. Some are harder to get damp than the others. But they have so much peat in them that it is hard to get the right moisture content in all of them.

[@adfdangling1468]

David, maybe I missed it, but can you expand on the material you have on top of the soil/food? looks like a plastic screen, but i'm not sure. Can you mention what it is and where you can buy it?

[@djrramsey]

The plastic screen on the top of the media is the needlepoint mesh. Can buy it anywhere, even Walmart in the craft area. Doesn't cost much either. Great for this use, good for small tank jump covers, quickie tank dividers.

[@GUYANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA]

wont they try to bury into to your skin?

[@CarlosGarcia-lb4fw]

You can use milk instead of the yogurth?

[@rhy64]

Ae these the same as micro worms? If not, what is the difference and can I still use farm for micro worms? Thanks.

[@djrramsey]

Watch my different videos to see how to grow the different worms. Mocro worms are completely different in size and how lyou grow them. I have no idea what 'can I still use farm' for micro worms.'Farm' what?

[@neild9071]

After 10yrs of worming and seeing your results compared to others your the man to follow.. think I've seen all your videos now fantastic great info.. got a culture due tomorrow so I have everything in place ready.. Thanks again David keep up the good work...

[@brylingrullon8395]

What do they feed the worms?

[@CARZEL12]

David, it would be great if you could share some of those worns for people who need to start a culture for their Aquariums.

[@GrowAndEatThis]

I am in Georgia. When the clubs around the country get going again I will be on the move and taking white worms with me. Shipping just not work too well right now, and I do not want to be anywhere near the inside of a post office with what is going on.

[@cjday573]

I've heard of people using dry cat food as food for their cultures. have you ever tried it, and do you think it would work well to make the worms packed with nutrients?

[@djrramsey]

Cat and dog food work pretty well. Just stay away from the artificial colors and flavors. Use the good stuff.

[@andersjensen4376]

okay thanks David

[@anettdebella9744]

i got a stupid questin can i do all the same as he done but not adding the worms ? :/ will they still grow or only if i add the worms ????

[@djrramsey]

+Anett Debella You have to get some worms to start with. This is true for microworms, grindal worms, vinegar eels and white worms. You can usually find earthworms in good soil or under leaves. If you can not get any starters, do earthworms. Easy to start, easy to raise and get to breed, and the fish love them.

[@anettdebella9744]

will tropical fish (all kind like angel fish , guppies, mollies , dollar fish etc) in my big tank will like them tho ? is it okay to give them earth worms? Just to make sure zano dont wanna kill them :) just in case .... thanks million forgetting back to me :) i appriciate it !!!

[@djrramsey]

+Anett Debella Earthworms are a favorite for fisherman for a reason. Fish love them. Just don't feed nightcrawlers. You want the little red worms. Chop them up for smaller fish. I have a video on earthworms that shows the easy way to raise worms and cut them up for the fish. And done right, worm tubs inside do not smell.

[@anettdebella9744]

perfect thanks again sorry for all the silly questions i just want best for my fisies :)

[@Moontanman]

What temperature do you keep them at?

[@djrramsey]

White worms are VERY temperature sensitive. Mid 50s is ideal. Above 70 and they will die pretty quickly. That is why I recommend a wine cooler. They will have a preset of 54F. That is where mine is and the white worms do great.

[@Moontanman]

David Ramsey I have an old fridge from my sons college days, would that be too cold? I once had a great culture come up by accident in a 40 gallon tube i was trying to grow earth worms in, it did well outside in the summer heat but it was very tiny worms and they ate bread. I have no idea what species they were...

[@mnelson10000]

Is a regular refrigerator too cool? I have one in the garage set at about 40 degrees. Thanks for the video, great info

[@djrramsey]

Yes a regular refrig is too cold. They will die. Even with the highest setting I can not get it up to the 50F or so. I guess you could wedge the door open, but the electric bill will be terrible. Easier to get a wine cooler. Try the discount appliance store. I have found lots of small ones for $75 or less. I bought my first one used for less than $50.

[@andersjensen4376]

is there a size betwin the squers do they have a name for sizes? Anders Denmark

[@djrramsey]

I have seen 2 different sizes and 2 colors. White or green. I use them all. Don't see any difference with the worms.

[@psmollen2056]

Zheng David, should you store them in the dark or light, read both on internet...

[@djrramsey]

They hate the tlight. The head down into the substrate when I take the containers out to collect for feeding. Have to be quick before the are down in the dirt. So dark.

[@andersjensen4376]

wher du you get the plastic net you put on top of the bred in the worm box ??

[@djrramsey]

craft stores, Walmart, big hobby shop. It is used for the backing for needlepoint. Very inexpensive.

[@andersjensen4376]

Thanks 😊

[@savtastic2152]

so they like it cold? or "cool"

[@djrramsey]

White worms need to be kept at temperatures in the mid 50sF to low 60sF. I use a wine cooler, set at 54F. They will die in regular refrigerator temperatures and abouve 70F. This is why they are so hard to ship. No way to control the temp when shipping. Better to actually physically get them from someone.

[@savtastic2152]

oh thanks

[@Juunkead]

Hi, David. I started my culture about a month ago, and everything is going great, but I found spider mites and a white, small caterpillar looking bug. How would you recommend getting rid of them? Thanks!

[@djrramsey]

Just pick out the caterpiller and toss it. Any mites are usually under the food. Use a sppon and just skim that area to pick them up. Make sure the food is fresh and changed at least every other day. Old food gets the mites happy. Otherwise there may be a few but never a problem. Using organic starter will grow some strange tings out of the bag. I sometimes find great earthworms showing up. Guess the little baby capsules survived the soil bagging.

[@Juunkead]

Thank you so much!

[@m00se23]

Oh and one more thing (I think - there may be more one more things!) - Can I use bread yeast instead of brewer's yeast? I have plenty of bread yeast. Brewer's yeast is tough to find around here. Thanks Dave!

[@djrramsey]

Brewer's Yeast is not the same as the yeast added to flour to make bread rise. It is not baking yeast. Can also be called nutritional yeast. Try looking for it in the vitamin / health food area. Weight lifters eat a lot of it. You want some that is flake or larger grains. The really fine stuff does not work very well. Doesn't mix with the yogurt and soak into the bread. Oh, and even for me, 4 oz will last at least a year so don't get the big can or jar.

[@m00se23]

David Ramsey Thanks Dave. I'll try to source some locally. I think Wegmans sells it.

[@anatoliy8212]

What a temperature you keep them David?

[@GrowAndEatThis]

Mine are in a wine cooler. 55F

[@johncarlson3742]

What is the temperature in your cooler?

[@djrramsey]

+John Carlson 55F is the tenp in the wine cooler I use. Anywhere in the 50F - 60F seems to be very good for the worms.

[@vanderley3]

What's the purpose of the mesh thank you

[@djrramsey]

+vanderley3 The mesh provides a pretty clean way to harvest the worms from the middle of the culture. They can be scrapped off the mesh or the mesh can be dunked into water leaving the dirty media behind.

[@cricketscollection2022]

How long does one of your tubs typically last before you call it done? What do you do with the soil when you call it quits? I was wondering if it's, in a manner, mineralizing the soil which is something people do before adding it as a substrate to your aquarium? If so all your used up cultures could then be nearly done processing for a soil substrate . . . sure would be nice killing two birds with one stone that way. What do you think? www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/showthread.php?t=52554

[@djrramsey]

A tub will last for several months. I put the super waste soil and worms into the compost pile. I think it would be way too rich to put in an aquarium. Too much fertilizer and organic matter for a fish tank. But great for tomatoes and peppers and beans. Never goes to waste here.

[@cricketscollection2022]

David Ramsey gotcha. Sounds like a great chilli :)

[@braeebbd]

I had a question. When I purchased my Whiteworms and received them, they had White jumpy tiny Mites that eventually turn to Fly looking insects. Is this normal? and if not, How can I get them out?

[@djrramsey]

you will need to split the culture as many times as you can. Keep the new soil as clean as possible. Hopefully one of the cultures will grow without the mites. they are bad news. Try getting the worms into some water and turkey baster out the water with worms to the new cultures. A lot of the mites will float or you can try to rinse the worms as much as possible. Mites are really tough to get rid of. I usually throw the culture away.

[@braeebbd]

Okay thanks, how long does it normally take your new culture before harvest?

[@djrramsey]

Braee Bbd a month should have you feeding worms. Depends on how many you start with.

[@JB-xj4ek]

Everyone talks about raising. How do you get the worms to begin with?

[@djrramsey]

+Tioga Getting the worms to start with is probably the hardest part. They do not ship well at all. I know, there are people around who will sell you worms and ship them. Good luck with that. Better to find a tropical fish club in your area. Killifish clubs or betta clubs are the best. Or time up going to one of the fish weekend conventions. Get on some of the fish forums and find someone near you who has the worms. Go and get them. Take a ice chest to keep them cool.

[@JB-xj4ek]

Great, thanks for the reply. I thought I was just not understanding peoples explanations. Love the videos!

[@merra85]

do you regularly wet the soil to maintain its moisture? if you d how often? thanks!

[@GrowAndEatThis]

+merra85 A new culture will get a sprits of water with each feeding. As the culture matures it will have more than enough moisture. Getting too wet becomes the problem.

[@merra85]

+GrowAndEatThis thanks, buddy.. Appreciate ur answer. Hopefully the whiteworm culture i'm going to collect will b successful and worth it for my wild discus.. :)

[@andersjensen4376]

how long vil it take before the worms repruduce so i can see it, whit the eye. think i gos a littel slow. the worms are still a live , so is it me who are inpatience

[@djrramsey]

They grow very slowly at first depending upon how many worms you start out with in the culture. Seems like they don't do much for several weeks, then they just take off.

[@djrramsey]

David Ramsey I replace the food every 2 days. I do not want mold or fungus growing. At first many times they only eat the yogurt and brewers yeast and leave the bread. As they grow they will also consume the bread.

[@darshanmanandhar3994]

can anyone tell me how to grow them if we don't have supply to culture .. like really begin from the beginning ??

[@djrramsey]

+Darshan Manandhar This video is from the beginning. Step 1. Get a starter culture from someone. They do not drop out of the sky, they do not live in your dirt outside.

[@darshanmanandhar3994]

+David Ramsey we do not have the source .... and if someone did start it first hiw did they start ... didn't fall off the sky nor outside them how did they start

[@djrramsey]

+Darshan Manandhar use your favorite search engine and figure it out for yourself.

[@adav1d]

Where can I get the first worms to start that colony?

[@djrramsey]

Find a local killifish club or betta club or go to one of the big fish weekends. They do not ship well at all because they have to stay in a very narrow temp range.

[@m00se23]

David Ramsey  I got mine off of Ebay in January when it was 5F outside. They came from Michigan (I live in NY) and took 4 days I think (during a huge snow storm!). They came in a Glad plastic container with about 5-6 ozs of soil in it. I don't think they'd ship well in the summer, but there was no die-off in mine.

[@josephsebastian8380]

What is that thing the square net

[@GrowAndEatThis]

plastic mesh. find it in the craft embroidery area. Comes in different size sheets and sizes. Just a couple of dollars. Even Walmart has it.

[@josephsebastian8380]

GrowAndEatThis ohhh thank you

[@suko2005]

please write the ingredients, thanks

[@djrramsey]

potting soil for the media, whole wheat bread, high quality plain yogurt or kefir, brewers yeast or spirulina powder.

[@suko2005]

must be some initial strain? I can enter the ingredients into the bowl and only the worm is generated?

[@djrramsey]

suko2005 You have to get the initial worms from someone. They are not created from mixing the ingredients in a bowl.

[@suko2005]

thanks David Ramsey

[@djrramsey]

potting soil. high quality plain yogurt or Kefir with active cultures. whole wheat bread, Brewers yeast. White worms. Makes gut loaded highly nutritious worms for your fish. Alternate low production method. white bread and milk on potting soil. And worms. doesn't work as well, and the worms are not very nutritious for your fish. Very fatty worms, but this is how a lot of people grow them.

[@johnny5isalive7]

I've had my white worms over a month I had four plastic containers two grow ok worm while the other two little white bugs kill the worms these two cultures have failed why