The first thing we need to do is go back to the scientific names for each to get a better understanding.

Red Wigglers – Eisenia foetida

European nightcrawlers – Eisenia hortensis

You may have noticed that the first part of the scientific names for each is the same. The word Eisenia which refers to an earthworm genus was named after an American zoologist, Gustav A. Eisen who had assorted variations to his name.

So in fact they are of the same family tree!

Both the European nightcrawler and red wiggler originated from Europe with the red wiggler making an earlier appearance here in the United States.

Another interesting fact is that both worms, even though the red wiggler is also known as the tiger worm, have the same striped tiger like rings encircling the length of their bodies. They do differ in size as the European nightcrawler grows larger especially in thickness.

Just to explain a little more about the scientific name of each the word foetida is derived from the words foetid and fetid which are defined as; foul, foul-smelling, funky, noisome having an offensive odor; stinking. The red wiggler was named such as rough handling of this worm causes it to excrete a foul smelling liquid.

The word hortensis means belonging to a hottus, or garden hence why the word hortensis is used in the names of a number of plants.

Both worms can be used for worm composting as well as a variety of others which I will explain in more depth in another post.

Bruce

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Is any type of shredded paper ok?  Everyone says shredded newspaper and never mentions shredded paper such as what would come out of an office shredder.

Thanks for your patience.   Joyce

Joyce, earthworms you are digging up in your yard live in the soil. The red wigglers will not survive in soil as they are strictly a composting worm, eating decaying organic products. In short, yes either let the earthworms go or try placing some decomposed material if you have some, leaves, shredded paper, cardboard… in a pile and let them go.

As for the type of paper to use for your red wigglers I highly recommend you stick to shredded newspaper, brown, non waxed cardboard…

I tried using some office paper which I had shredded and placed on one side of a worm bin. The worms did not care for it and actually stayed away from it. My guess is that it was probably bleached paper, which much of your white paper is in order to get the brilliant white color. Bleach and worms do not mix!

If you wish to test some paper, you can always place a little in a corner of your bin to see how the worms will react. In fact I do this with new foods and grain mixes I come up with prior to utilizing throughout our bins.

I will be shipping your worms out Monday, July 13, 2009… Thanks for the order and let us know how you make out

Bruce

P.S. Check out our all new Red Worm Online Store!

Alabama Jumpers are in the nightcrawler family and have three distinguishing traits. One is their sheer size. These bad boys grow 8 -10 inches and sometimes even larger.

Probably their most notable characteristic is the fact they are much hardier than other worms. It is the only worm that I currently handle that can burrow through hard packed clay soil. If you live in the south, you know what I am referring to. Alabama Jumpers have a tough outer coat add this to their sheer strength and you have a super worm

If you like to fish, this worm is a must to have in your bag of tricks. The Alabama Jumper has the word jumper in its name for a reason. They will literally jump right out of your hands! With all that jumping around, you are sure to attract the attention of some fish

Currently I am offering 1,000 of the Alabama Jumpers for just $89.95 which includes priority mail shipping within the continental USA.

Click here for more information and to order Alabama Jumpers as well as other worms and products!

Back to the gardening in the morning… be back soon!

Bruce