What's the Best Composting Worm? Let's Dig Deeper (Pun Intended!)

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Video Summary: What's the best composting worm? The European Nightcrawler? African Nightcrawler? Red Wiggler? Steve breaks down the 3 different categories of earthworms and justifies his choice for the best vermicomposting worm available.
Timestamps:
0:24 Why can't I use any worm for vermicomposting?
0:48 The 3 categories of earthworms: anecic, endogeic, and epigeic
3:04 Which kind of epigeic worms are the best composters?
3:15 Intro to the African Nightcrawler, aka Eudrilus eugeniae
5:00 Intro to the European Nightcrawler, aka Eisenia hortensis
5:40 Intro to the Red Wiggler, aka Eisenia fetida
6:16 Intro to the Indian Blue, aka Perionyx excavatus
7:22 Why we partnered with Meme's Worm on a commercial worm farm in Valdosta, GA
8:34 Why Steve recommends against buying multiple species for the same bin
10:12 Steve justifies his choice of the red wiggler as the best composting worm for most people
Buy Worms:
African Nightcrawlers
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European Nightcrawlers
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Red Wigglers
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Composting Worm Mix
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About the Urban Worm Company
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Read the Ultimate Guide to Vermicomposting at the Urban Worm Company!
urbanwormcompany.com/vermicom...

[@anneboyd7811]

I think the reason that anecic and endogeic worms are not suitable composters is that they are adapted to live in tunnels in stable soil. Anecic worms in particular dig permanent tunnels and may live in them for years, and they're also known to take over abandoned tunnels made by other individuals. Epigeic worms are adapted to a loose unstable soilless mass of actively decaying organic matter where tunnels can't really be formed, so they don't make or use tunnels. If you put a non-epigeic worm in a composting environment, they're going to be stressed because their bodies and behaviors aren't designed for that kind of substrate. p.s. I think the caption on screen at 1:52 was intended to say endogeic, not epigeic

[@deadlyace1231]

I'm new to composting and I never realized how many types of worms there are and received very useful info from this video. I appreciate the work that went into this. Thanks for sharing.

[@patriciarussell8450]

The Smithsonian has 427,000 worms in their specimen library. Great info.

[@BaliFoodTreePlanter]

That's because earthworms are just one category of worm, that's why professionally we always call ours earthworms (vs pin worms, etc.)

[@chrisprince5423]

I absolutely LOVE dealing with Samantha! Not only are her worms happy & healthy, but her customer service is exemplary! And she makes herself available to help you with problems (or questions) you may encounter long after the sale!

[@leobaltz2057]

She is the best!! I told her that I have officially named her “The Worm Queen” 😂😂 her love for worms is contagious!

[@sandyjoao4489]

Great information. Thanks

[@lilinoirdelanuit]

The information and explanations you give are really excellent. You cover all of the most common questions of beginners. I really appreciate how you use your own experiences with worms, and bring in other possibilities. Excellent, thanks!

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Thanks Linda! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@gonzo3618]

Thank you Steve ,great information on compost worms 👍

[@jonneil7169]

Answered a lot of my questions, thanks for the video.

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Glad to help Jon!

[@cowdunglog--2941]

Thankyou for the amazing info

[@BrianFields]

Great info - I can say from experience that having a mixed red/blue population in an indoor Rubbermaid bin was a nightmare. Every single weather front that rolled through and there were worms all over the floor. Every few days. Most people blame escape behaviors as some problem with the bin, which it can be. But until I found a video describing how to tell the difference between a red and a blue, I couldn't figure out what was going on. Most of my worms were blues. They were AWESOME composters, plowing through all our veggie scraps in a couple days.

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Thanks Brian!

[@BaliFoodTreePlanter]

Your problem is preventable.

[@rebel4466]

Some language nerding ahead: The reason why you can't find a consistent pronunciation for the binomial Latin names is easy, Latin is a dead language. We know a lot about the pronunciation from texts back in the day, but many people had many influences and even teachers often don't speak accurate Latin. This even made its way into science and medicine. So everyone has some interpretation in some way, some are just guessing as well. But you did the right thing. Just show the words and try to pronounce them. Might not be good Latin, but you're sharing information and you're not trying to teach a language. A challenge: Do a video on Eisenia fetida vs. Eisenia andrei. That is probably really easy and even easier to explain to laypeople lol. But having a clean colony of E. andrei would probably be very interesting.

[@Vermicompost]

Another awesome in depth video made fun!! Great explanations of the 3 types of earthworms and which fall into each category! This is a fantastic reference video for anyone deciding which kind of composting worm to get. My red wigglers have done well for me in Florida both indoors and out! Excellent video!!🪱🪱🪱

[@garywillow6578]

Nerd name, stupid analogy and obviously in love with worms; loving your humour and knowledge. Slowly working though your vids. I previously asked about earthworms to the living soil I make for my cannabis. Then found this vid. I will still persist with my earth worms as I now have many bins of them and this is an ongoing process that takes two or more years. Ever seen the price of living soil? That is what I am trying to produce.

[@michaeltaylor4984]

I dumped some leftover red wigglers fishing worms from Wallyworld in my compost bin a couple of years ago. Those little guys are wonderful. I gett more compost than I can use and my chickens love them.

[@bryanreed107]

Hi steve - just got my bag and my worms should be here tomorrow - thanks so much!

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Thank YOU Bryan!

[@jason.couture7177]

Bezos as a worm. Perfect.

[@timmooney2460]

very informative.

[@zina6581]

Thank you so ,much!!

[@missfirefae]

Yes! My red wigglers are tiny, but hungry. They have repopulated like crazy indoors, and I've shared with many local enthusiasts :) Loved this video

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Thanks Darci!

[@alecb2441]

I like how he says “nerd name” even though talking about worms is one of the nerdiest things out there

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Oh come on man! Worms are sexy! 😂

[@AJsGreenTopics]

Great information. 😎

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kgalacticstarseed5978]

Thank you

[@davidhallet9269]

Love this

[@PatriotCoinRings]

I have natural clay soil (not great for gardening), so I just built a half dozen nice-sized raised gardens that are each 6' feet long x 3' feet wide x 4' feet tall (deep) with daily automatic water dripping systems. They are open-bottom containers and, I put 4" of 1" gravel in the bottom to help proper drainage so the gardens don't ever flood, 2" Coconut Core Fiber to help hold moisture during hot months, and the rest of the 3.5' feet all new quality mulch for the garden. My question being an avid fisherman is I'd love to add Red Wigglers and some Super Red European Nightcrawlers with the intent to be able to harvest a couple of dozen whenever I go fishing however two-fold, I want to make sure the worms I've picked are good for gardens providing aeration and beneficial nutrients to my garden without harming or eating "the live vegetation" I'm growing. Do you see any error in what I'm planning here and/or would advise against it? Did you find adding worms to your garden helped? I see you have a ground-level garden bed and understand there may be a difference or possibly a waste if you think the size of my raised gardens isn't large enough at 4 feet deep. Experienced Thoughts? Opinions?

[@siamstation]

Love your description of the worm 💩 🤣🤣😂 good info. Thanks.

[@davidwitzeneder8304]

Lately I read a scientific study that when the difference species mate and produce cocons the worms never hatch!! To be honest I doubt the result but it is interesting to think of it

[@jeffreymyles9772]

Oh snaps! Not strong Uncle Jeff. 😂 😆 Great info man!

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Yeah, that one was fun.....:)

[@organicgardenmamavictoriab2768]

You should write a children's book about worms. I would read it to my kid.

[@VINCECHRISTIANMANLUNAS]

Here in the Philippines (in my area at least), ANCs are pretty common and probably the only composting worm you can get. I've been searching for other compost worms yet none would appear except for ANCs.

[@John-so5xw]

There are red wigglers available in Quezon Province.

[@jamestiller6125]

In the bin can you put manure and veggies scrapes? for red wigglers.

[@ontherocksinthesoilmichael6739]

I have seen my mixed of all four species bin don't have a problem breeding in fact the other way around. These bins also cycle faster than my pure systems ie harvesting in two months versus four to six months for my pure bins. The only exception is my pure blue bins. I also have Louisiana Swamp Worms in the mixed as well as pure system so 5 species in my mixed system. But as you did not talk about them I didn't either. They are an excellent composter as well just hard to find.

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Yeah, Meme's used to sell Louisiana Swamp Worms but I think it's really only available (and viable) in the South.

[@caseyfloresca562]

"That's not weird at all, Steve" 😂

[@jeffsinnock5353]

I'm doing three bio-reactors with good size holes drilled in the bottom plus I added some from other pots but I want to get these going each can is 50 gallons approx what poundage should I add. Also, I live in Reno and the winters aren't kind. Like to add them now. oh do the reds and blues breed together? Thanks

[@keithwhite204]

Where can I get Red wigglers in Capetown. South Africa?

[@michelbisson6645]

hi i don t hear very well about the place who sell worm, lilli something can you send website please, I am new to this vermicomposting it is very interesting, I am more a biochar guy I want to use it to inoculate biochar..

[@RaymondPeter]

Reds are sold as fishing worms, often under the name "trout worm"

[@IdahoDirtBiker9908]

I have been sitting here thinking I have red wiggles but after I watched this I think I have European nightcrawler but I’m still not sure how to tell the difference I have about 6,000 to 8,000 worms per bin and I have 6 bins they all started from one bin

[@kgalacticstarseed5978]

I now know the best family vehicle and warm

[@rudekperezacupuncturist]

I have a few regular (endogeic) earthworms in my (red wigglers) vermicomposting bathtub that seems to have come from my regular compost that I added. Should I take them out?

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Nah! I wouldn’t worry about it.

[@agungmsa]

Hai Steve, how about Lumbricus rubellus as composting worms?

[@UrbanWormCompany]

It seems like they ought to work as well. They are not readily available for sale in the US, so I do not have any experience with them!

[@mousiebrown1747]

What size mesh should be used to screen for worm castings?

[@UrbanWormCompany]

No larger than 1/4 inch, No finer than 1/8th inch. 1/4-in screen is much easier to find

[@marvinparker7872]

Is the red worm the same as red wiggled????

[@sunilscorpy4594]

Can you ship live worms overseas?

[@callyscraftycorner2463]

What do you do to keep the worms warm if they are outside and the weather get to the teens or below?

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Think Steve made an earlier video covering this very subject.. watched it earlier today(binge watching)

[@malcolmyoung7866]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIK8nHd4q7-qZsU

[@mudasirdar6403]

Does egg outer eat worms

[@connecticutwormsgardens]

Hi (again) Steve, One thing that concerned me is your formula for population. Not concerning in that it was wrong in any way, concerning that I am way over that In my UWB. You said, a bin should have 1/2 to 1 lb of worms per ft² With the UWB being 4 ft² and using your formula, the UWB should have anywhere from 2 to 4 lbs. of worms in it for it to be optimal. My UWB has well over 6 lbs of worms , possibly 8lbs at this point. A mix of ANC, ENC, RW, and Blues. I haven't noticed any issues. Since it contains nearly twice the amount of worms mentioned in your formula, do I need to take some out? They are still feeding (A LOT), breeding (A LOT MORE) , and pooping (CONTINUOUSLY) all rather successfully So I didn't see the population as a problem. I only recently added about 2 lb to it to bring it to its current capacity and thought it was a good thing. Thoughts? -on a different subject, we were corresponding back and forth when you commented on one of my KZbin videos showing my UWB in-depth. I asked you if there was a way to get a replacement bottom zip on panel for the UWB 2.0 and never heard back from you on that.

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Hi Lisa! So the 1/2 to 1 lb was intended to be a number that is optimal for *reproduction*. The goal is to get to where you are at 6, maybe even 8lbs in the UWB. At higher densities, the worms will self-regulate and slow reproduction. No need to take any out. As for the bottom cover thing, I vaguely remember that comment.(E-mail is always best for me for communication.) I think you said a critter ran off with it? I do not have those covers made independently of the Urban Worm Bag itself, so I do not have any to send without kind of trashing a full unit. However, there are always issues here and there with returned items. So if a return has a defect in the Bag, I can hold back the cover for you and send it your way.

[@tamtran4950]

Is that ambient temperature or in the ground temperature?

[@UrbanWormCompany]

I'm not sure what part of the video you're commenting on, but it's the temp in the ground or the vermicompost that matters.

[@chrisschultz1580]

What about Eisenia Andrei? I'm betting that a lot of people have these and are misidentifieing them as Indian Blues.

[@UrbanWormCompany]

That's possible!

[@Meterialgirl000]

I’m not 100% agree for what you said. I think that blue worms is the best vermicompost that you can get! And I’m from canada! Put the worms in worm place with thermostat and everything will be good 👍

[@jeffsanderson2737]

What is a super red worm?

[@UrbanWormCompany]

It's probably a European Nightcrawler

[@asad6497]

Should we use earthworms for composting

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Abbbbb-solutely! :) 😅

[@asad6497]

@@UrbanWormCompany can i collect worms from earth for composting.because i am from Afghanistan, and i have no other source for varmicomposting,

[@emilioperez3481]

do European night crawlers prefer carbon rich material more than food waste

[@UrbanWormCompany]

No more & no less in my opinion!

[@Josef_R]

I just paid $40 for 1/2 pound of red wrigglers at Meme's, so how are the Africans expensive if they are $40?

[@UrbanWormCompany]

They just *tend* to be expensive Josef. If you check around the web, you'll likely see consistently higher prices for ANCs.

[@evelynwoolston7]

Wouldn't it be better to keep worms that won't become an invasive species, especially if they compete with native species like the Indian nightcrawler does? They are bound to get into the environment either when they escape or when wisps & cocoons remain in the vermicompost when you put it in your garden. We are losing our native ladybirds in the UK because harlequin ladybirds were introduced from abroad and are outcompeting them. Some harlequins came in with imported fruit, some were introduced deliberately to keep down aphids. They do that well but also have a nasty bite and have few native predators here.

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Hi Evelyn, I'm not sure how the UK views them, but none of the composting worms in the US (red wigglers, Euros, African Nightcrawlers or Indian Blues) are native to the US. But there's a big difference between non-native (which has a neutral or positive effect on the environment) and invasive (which has a negative effect on the environment.)

[@tonybason6761]

hi will an earthworm and a compost worm bread togther

[@UrbanWormCompany]

No they won't!

[@tonybason6761]

@@UrbanWormCompany okay thanks mate

[@basilexoticleaffoodforests2573]

We just had a jailbreak. Worried that the dead lemongrass was cause for it

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Did you just have a thunderstorm or or other weather event by any chance?

[@carriegoetze3429]

Nikki

[@kevzmanapat3356]

who wants a cheap african night crawler , seller here at the philippines we do shipping

[@1nikojohnson]

Are you grandson of winsent churchill? 😮😮

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Not related, unfortunately!

[@NIP28]

African night crawlers all day

[@NIP28]

Or red wigglers!!!!

[@andrewstephens2687]

Great vid. Learned lots. Jeff bezos comparison made me lol.

[@ASDPR43]

Any number for contact

[@UrbanWormCompany]

Please e-mail me at [e-mail] !