5 Types of compost worms that are best for composting

Composting with worms, also known as vermicomposting, is an excellent way to reduce food waste while creating a nutrient-rich material to use in your garden.

There are a few types of worms that are well-suited to the compost bin and can help speed up the breakdown of organic matter. Getting to know the types of compost worms and their characteristics can help you maintain a healthy, productive worm composting system.

Red Wiggler Worms

Red wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida) are the most popular type of worm used in vermicomposting systems. These worms are small, growing to about 2-4 inches long, and reddish in color with pale yellow bands around their bodies. They are sometimes referred to as redworms, tiger worms, or manure worms.

Red wigglers are surface dwellers that thrive in compost bins where there is an ample supply of moist organic matter. They prefer temperatures between 55 and 77°F and do best in compost with a neutral pH around 7.0. Red wigglers have big appetites and can consume up to half their body weight in organic waste per day. They readily feed on kitchen scraps, fruit and vegetable peels, cardboard, dead leaves, and compost. As they digest their food, their castings enrich the compost with nutrients and beneficial microorganisms.

The main advantages of using red wiggler worms for vermicomposting are that they tolerate handling well, breed quickly in confinement, and voraciously consume many types of organic waste. Their small size also allows them to break down matter and navigate through compost quickly. Red wigglers are one of the fastest-composting worms available.

European Nightcrawlers

The European nightcrawler (Eisenia hortensis) is another type of worm suitable for vermicomposting. These worms are larger than red wigglers, reaching 5-8 inches long. They have reddish-brown bodies with faint yellow bands encircling them.

European nightcrawlers tend to live and feed a few inches below the surface. They thrive in temperatures between 60 and 75°F and prefer compost beds with higher moisture levels than red wigglers. European nightcrawlers have big appetites, consuming over half their body weight in food daily. They readily eat non-acidic fruit and vegetable scraps, crushed eggshells, and damp paper products. Their castings are nutrient-dense and contain bacteria and fungi that benefit plant growth.

The main advantage of European nightcrawlers is their size; they can process large amounts of organic matter quickly. However, they do not tolerate handling or temperature fluctuations, as well as red wigglers. European nightcrawlers also prefer to dig deeper in compost than red wigglers. Overall, they are another excellent vermicomposting worm, best suited to outdoor bins or large, stable indoor systems.

Alabama Jumpers

Alabama jumper worms (Amynthas agrestis) are another species used for composting. They are pale gray or reddish-brown in color, with distinct bands around their bodies. Alabama jumpers get their name from their habit of thrashing around wildly when handled.

These worms thrive in warm weather between 70 and 90°F. They are not picky eaters and consume a variety of decaying organic matter. Alabama jumpers reproduce quickly, allowing their populations to grow rapidly given adequate food. However, they do require plenty of moisture and do not tolerate dry conditions well.

The benefits of Alabama jumpers are that they eagerly consume a wide variety of kitchen scraps. Their speedy reproduction can allow them to process large amounts of waste. However, their populations can be more difficult to control compared to slower-breeding worm species. Alabama jumpers also require consistently warm temperatures and moist conditions. For these reasons, they are best suited to outdoor composting systems in warm southern climates.

Indian Blue Worms

Indian blue worms (Perionyx excavatus) are tropical composting worms native to South Asia. They are blue-gray in color with a dark blue band around their bodies. Indian blue worms can reach over 8 inches long, making them one of the largest composting worm species.

These worms thrive in temperatures between 70 and 90°F and require very moist, acidic conditions. Indian blues have enormous appetites and can consume organic matter equal to their own body weight daily. They thrive on kitchen waste, livestock manure, green plant matter, and other decomposing organics. The worm castings they produce are rich in nutrients.

The advantages of Indian blue worms are their speedy waste processing capabilities and ability to thrive in wet, tropical environments. However, they require consistently warm, humid conditions with acidic pH levels below 7.0. This makes them unsuitable for most outdoor compost bins or indoor vermicomposting systems. They are best reserved for large-scale tropical vermicomposting operations.

African Nightcrawlers

African nightcrawlers (Eudrilus eugeniae) are another tropical species used for composting. They have dark brown bodies reaching up to 9 inches long. African nightcrawlers thrive in temperatures between 75 and 85°F and require very moist, acidic conditions.

These worms have enormous appetites and are capable of consuming over half their body weight in organic waste every day. They thrive on food scraps, manure, and green plant matter. The worm castings they produce are rich in nutrients.

The primary advantages of African nightcrawlers are their size and speedy waste processing capabilities. Their populations can grow rapidly, given warm temperatures and abundant food sources. However, they require tropical conditions and acidic pH levels to thrive. This makes them impractical for outdoor compost bins in most climates. African nightcrawlers are best suited to large indoor vermicomposting systems able to provide appropriate conditions.

Which compost worms are best for composting?

When choosing worms for vermicomposting, the red wiggler is generally the best type for beginners. Red wigglers tolerate a wide range of temperatures and handle them well. They also reproduce quickly to process large amounts of organic waste without their populations spiraling out of control.

For outdoor composting bins, European nightcrawlers and Alabama jumpers are also excellent options. They can withstand some temperature fluctuations and breed reasonably fast to break down plentiful waste.

The tropical worm species Indian blues and African nightcrawlers require very specific warm, humid, acidic conditions. They are really only practical for large-scale indoor vermicomposting operations.

To pick the right worms, consider the climate where the compost bin will be located and the amount of waste needing processing. Red wigglers are fail-safe for most small backyard composting systems. Adding European nightcrawlers can boost waste processing power outdoors. With proper tropical conditions, Indian blues and African nightcrawlers shine at handling massive quantities of organic matter.

The right worms will quickly turn kitchen scraps, dead leaves, and other compost materials into nutrient-rich worm castings. Getting to know the major types of composting worms makes it easier to choose species tailored to your specific needs and conditions.

Setting Up the Right Composting Conditions

To keep compost worms happy and productive, it’s important to provide habitat conditions suited to the species you choose. Here are some tips for creating an ideal vermicomposting environment:

• Temperature: Maintain temperatures between 55 and 80°F. Most compost worms thrive best between 60 and 75°F. Tropical species require 70–90 °F. Fluctuations beyond this range can stress worms.
• Moisture: Bedding should feel like a wrung-out sponge. Too wet prevents oxygen flow. Too dry desiccates worms.
• pH: Neutral or slightly acidic pH around 6.5–7.0 suits most worms. Tropical worms need acid levels below 6.5.
• Bedding: Use porous, organic bedding like shredded newspaper, cardboard, coconut coir fiber, peat moss, aged manure, straw, or dead leaves.
• Aeration: Fluff bedding regularly and don’t overfeed to prevent compaction, matting, and anaerobic conditions.
• Food: Provide a steady diet of worm-friendly kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, etc. Bury food in pockets throughout the bedding.

Following these guidelines creates an ideal habitat for worms to thrive and rapidly process food waste into castings. Monitor conditions and make adjustments as needed to maintain a healthy, productive vermicomposting system.

Choosing a Composting Bin

The right worm composting bin provides the ideal habitat for the worms and makes vermicomposting convenient. Here are some common bin options:

• Wooden bins: simple wooden boxes of varying sizes with ventilation holes. Easy to build yourself or purchase. Hold up well outdoors.
• Flow-through bins: multi-tray systems that allow easy worm migration and compost harvesting. More efficient for continuous vermicomposting.
• Plastic bins are inexpensive, lightweight, and stackable. Available in many sizes. Best suited for indoor use.
• Garbage cans: cut holes in the lid for ventilation. Sturdy and inexpensive, but lacks drainage.
• Earthworm bins: designed bins like the Worm Factory or Can-O-Worms with features for worm comfort.

Consider factors like your space, budget, and volume of waste when selecting a bin. Make sure the bin is sturdy, well-ventilated, and meets the needs of the worms you choose. With the right bin and habitat, your worms will thrive and provide a bounty of nutrient-rich worm castings!

Harvesting Vermicompost

After several months, the worms will have processed the bedding and food waste in their bin into dark, crumbly, sweet-smelling vermicompost. Here are some tips for harvesting finished worm castings:

• Allow the worms to fully digest and migrate away from an area before removing compost.
• Dump the ready vermicompost into piles and shine a bright light. Worms hate light and will dig deeper while you collect castings.
• Spread a fresh layer of bedding to attract worms away from the finished compost.
• Pass compost through a sieve to filter out worms and return them to the bin.
• Insert mesh dividers and push worms to one side before removing finished compost from the other.
• In flow-through bins, stop adding waste and harvest compost after worms migrate upwards.

Take care not to dump out live worms unless you place them in a new bin or bed. Return the worms to feed so they can continue breaking down waste and reproducing. With patience and the right technique, harvesting vermicompost can be easy. Enjoy the nourishing worm castings for your garden!

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Maintaining the right habitat conditions prevents most issues with compost worms. But here are some troubleshooting tips for common vermicomposting problems:

Worms Trying to Escape

This means conditions are unsuitable. Check for excessive moisture, high temperatures, a lack of oxygen, or pH extremes. Make adjustments to improve habitat.

Worms Dying or Not Reproducing

Ensure adequate food, proper moisture, and temperature levels. Get a compost thermometer to monitor conditions. Address the causes of stress.

Rotten Odor

Too much unprocessed food and bedding causes anaerobic decay. Stop adding food; aerate bedding by mixing in bulking materials like shredded paper or cardboard.

Pests Like Fruit Flies or Mites

Drain excess liquid, aerate bedding, and allow compost to dry slightly between waterings. Remove any rotting food that attracts pests. Add dry bedding.

Mold Growth

Mold often results from overfeeding. Cut back on food waste and thoroughly mix in additional dry, absorbent bedding. Make sure the bin has adequate ventilation.

Catching issues early and making habitat adjustments can get a vermicomposting bin back on track for healthy worms and rapid waste processing.

Benefits of Compost Worm Castings

After patiently letting worms work their magic, you’ll have a bounty of the black gold known as vermicompost. Worm castings offer many benefits:

• Enrich soil with nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium
• Contain beneficial microorganisms that help plants absorb nutrients
• Improve soil aeration, porosity and water retention
• Help seedlings get a vigorous start with excellent seed germination
• Increase plant yields, growth, and overall health
• Provide slow-release fertilization for long-term plant nourishment
• Suppress certain plant diseases and deter some pests

Worm castings are a sustainable, organic way to cultivate healthier, more productive plants. Both garden beds and container plants thrive when amended with vermicompost. Turning kitchen scraps into this super soil conditioner is a noble endeavor for any gardener!

Uses for Vermicompost

Vermicompost offers a versatile way to nourish your garden. Here are some of the top ways to use worm castings:

• Mix into potting soil blends as an organic nutrient booster
• Top dress gardens and individual plants by sprinkling vermicompost around their base
• Create vermicompost tea to use as a liquid fertilizer, pest deterrent or foliar spray
• Add castings when planting seeds, transplants or during transplanting for robust root growth
• Include in compost piles to inoculate with beneficial microbes and speed decomposition
• Mulch seedlings by layering vermicompost 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch deep to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Combine with coconut coir or peat as a sustainable seed-starting or cloning medium

Vermicompost is a versatile amendment with a variety of applications for gardens, seed starting, container plants, and compost piles. Get creative with worm castings to boost the health and productivity of your plants!

Storing Extra Vermicompost

With a productive worm composting system, you may find yourself with more castings than you can use. Here are some tips for storing extra vermicompost:

• Keep compost moist but not soggy in a covered container or plastic bag with small holes for airflow.
• For large amounts, create an outdoor compost pile and mix in worm castings as an inoculant.
• Spread surplus worm compost in gardens where it will work its way into the soil.
• Give away excess vermicompost to gardening friends and neighbors.
• Use as a potting mix ingredient for seed starting, container plants, and transplanting.
• Apply a 1-2-inch layer of castings as mulch around established plants.
• Add to lawn top dressing products or aeration cores pulled from lawns.

With proper storage, vermicompost maintains its nutrients and benefits for many months. Share the bounty and spread the joy of worm casting!

Going Large Scale with Vermicomposting

For home composting, a few bins with pounds of worms are plenty. But vermicomposting can also be scaled up for commercial farming or municipal waste management. Here is how compost worms go big:

• Industrial vermicomposting uses rows of large, automated bins to recycle huge amounts of organic waste from food supply chains.
• Municipal vermicomposting allows the treatment of biosolids from wastewater facilities using worms in place of conventional methods.
• Farm vermicomposting helps process manure and crop waste to create fertilizer, reduce waste volumes, and offset the costs of commercial fertilizers.
• Centralized urban worm composting provides a recycling service for food businesses to divert waste from landfills.

Larger-scale vermicomposting leverages millions of worms to process massive waste streams. Automated systems control temperature, moisture, and feeding rates for peak efficiency. Though not a total waste solution, compost worms can significantly reduce the environmental impacts of organic waste and generate a valuable soil amendment.

In Summary

Composting with worms offers many advantages for recycling food scraps in your own backyard. Red wigglers are the top worms for beginner vermicomposting, but other species work well in certain conditions. Set up the ideal habitat, and your worms will happily devour food waste, producing nutrient-rich castings to nourish your garden. Troubleshooting basic issues keeps an indoor or outdoor worm bin functioning smoothly. With the right know-how, composting worms can convert your kitchen scraps into black gold for your plants!