Which Type of Worm Is Right for You?

Planning for Your Worm Farm

If you’ve read some of our previous articles like “A Snapshot of Worm Biology” or “Raising Worms: A Brief Overview”, you already understand the basics of worm anatomy, digestion, reproduction, and their critical role in soil health. Now you’re ready to take the next step—starting your own worm colony.

But before diving in, it’s important to ask a few key questions:

• What is your primary goal for raising worms?

• Which worm species best fits that goal?

• How many worms should you start with?

• What type of worm habitat should you set up?

• Where should your worm bin be located?

• What should go into the habitat?

• What do worms eat?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to successfully begin your worm farming journey.

Step 1: Define Your Goal for Raising Worms

Joining the growing community of worm farmers starts with one essential step—identifying your goal. Your reason for raising worms will determine the right species, habitat size, setup location, and feeding practices.

Common Goals for Raising Worms:

• Recycling kitchen and paper waste through vermicomposting

• Producing nutrient-rich worm castings as organic fertilizer

• Raising live fishing bait

• Providing fresh, high-protein pet food for reptiles, birds, and fish

Understanding your objective will help you choose the right type of composting worm and create an ideal habitat for them to thrive.

Goal: Recycling Kitchen & Paper Waste

Best Worm: Red Wigglers

Pros:
✅ Voracious appetite
✅ Thrives in high-density habitats
✅ Adapts well to a range of conditions

Cons:
❌ Small size can make harvesting slower

Red Wigglers are the most popular choice for composting food scraps and paper waste. These worms are hardy, efficient, and easy to manage—ideal for beginners and large-scale composters alike. They thrive in small worm bins or large worm beds and tolerate wide temperature and moisture variations.

Red Wigglers prefer bedding temperatures between 68°F and 80°F but can survive close to 40°F. Despite their small size (2–3 inches), they process organic material rapidly—up to ten times faster than traditional composting methods.

Goal: Producing Worm Castings for Fertilizer

1st Choice: African Nightcrawlers

Pros:
✅ Large size and fast digestion
✅ Quick breeder
✅ Produces high-quality castings

Cons:
❌ Requires warm temperatures (>55°F)
❌ Frequent bedding maintenance in small bins

African Nightcrawlers are a top choice for generating worm castings. These large, fast-eating worms produce a rich, crumbly compost loaded with plant-available nutrients. However, they are tropical worms and must be kept in environments above 55°F to thrive. Their productivity demands regular bedding refreshes and timely casting removal to keep the habitat healthy.

2nd Choice: European Nightcrawlers

Pros:
✅ Tolerates cooler temperatures
✅ Good casting production
✅ Ideal for outdoor bins

Cons:
❌ Sensitive to acidic bedding
❌ Regular bedding changes needed

European Nightcrawlers are a strong alternative for castings production, especially if you’re in a temperate climate. While slightly less productive than Africans, they’re more adaptable and can handle lower temperatures. Just avoid feeding them excessive grains to prevent acidic conditions.

Goal: Raising Live Fishing Bait

Top Pick: European Nightcrawlers

Pros:
✅ Stays firm and active on the hook
✅ Cold-tolerant—great for ice fishing
✅ Good movement attracts fish

Cons:
❌ May need larger space for breeding stock

If your goal is to raise fishing worms, European Nightcrawlers are ideal. Their durability in water, resistance to cold, and size (4–5 inches) make them a favorite among anglers. They hold up well on hooks and remain lively even after long periods submerged, unlike traditional baitworms.

Goal: Providing Pet Food

Best Worm: Red Wigglers

Pros:
✅ High-protein, nutritious food source
✅ Easy to digest for small pets
✅ Always fresh

Cons:
❌ May be too small for larger animals

Worms make excellent natural pet food for reptiles, amphibians, birds, and aquarium fish. Red Wigglers, in particular, are protein-rich and packed with nutrients like iron, amino acids, and zinc. Supplementing your pet’s diet with live worms enhances color, energy, and overall health. Just like humans, pets thrive on variety—worms are an ideal fresh addition to commercial diets.

Summary

Of the thousands of earthworm species in existence, only three are commonly cultivated for worm composting, fishing bait, and animal feed:

🔴 Red Wiggler

• Small (2–3 inches), deep red with a yellow-tipped tail

• Best for composting and pet food

🔵 European Nightcrawler

• Medium (4–5 inches), thick body with striped banding

• Great for fishing and casting production

🟣 African Nightcrawler

• Large (6–7 inches), purple-brown with iridescent sheen

• Ideal for fast casting output in warm environments

All three species are epigeic worms, meaning they live in the top layer of soil, do not form permanent burrows, and feed on surface organic matter. These characteristics make them perfect for vermicomposting and indoor worm bins.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right worm species depends on your specific goal. Here’s a quick recap: