How do you setup a worm bin for raising African Nightcrawlers vs. Red Wigglers?
Scott R. – Illinois
Scott,
Raising African Nightcrawlers is very similar to raising red wiggler worms. Actually the African nightcrawler is a hardier worm than not only the red wiggler but its cousins such as the European nightcrawler. I personally prefer the African as it eats more food, hence producing more worm castings faster.
Setup your bin as you would for red wigglers with one exception, make the bedding thicker. I recommend 6 to 8 inches of bedding such as shredded newspaper and cardboard. Moisten to about 70% to 80% moisture content on a moisture meter.
The feed is the same as you would feed your red wigglers.
Sit back and get ready to harvest your worm castings!
Bruce
Can African Nightcrawlers and Red Wigglers live together?
Mindy,
Whenever raising two types of composting worms together, one will prove to be more prolific than the other and eventually take over the bin.
As worms basically keep to themselves (referring to composting worms we deal with here), they do not fight or go after one another.
Perhaps mankind could learn a thing or two from worms
Just comes down to the laws of nature, survival of the fittest!
Bruce
I have all the figures. I want to have 100,000 African Crawlers when the river thaws in March-May. If I hatch cocoons in Oct., I need 6-8 months for acceptable bait size. Only question I have not had real clear advice on is how much space would be required to keep these guys, feed them, and allow them to grow and get fat. With the fact of keeping bedding changed and keeping optimal conditions with PH and moisture and food. Would two 8ft.x 2ft.x 2ft. boxes suffice. Thanks for any advice.
Brian
The size worm bins you mention would work however make a lot more work out of the process as well as take up more room, floor square footage, than really needed. The 8′ x 2′ x 2′ will take up 16 square feet of floor space and require approximately 4,400 worms per bin for optimal breeding. By using another technique which would make changing the bedding materials, feeding, collecting cocoons and newly hatched worms… much more manageable is the 14 Day Worm Castings eBook. Not only would it make it more manageable but require much less floor space, approximately 5 square feet vs your 16 square feet. The worms will breed faster and grow more quickly using this method. The additional benefit would be the quick turn around of worm castings which you could sell by the pound or in bulk by the ton!
Bruce
Thanks for the info. I have a friend who ordered your ebook mentioned. Will check it out!
Bruce
Where can you find a moisture meter? Or a PH meter?
thanks
Conrad
Conrad,
You can usually find one at a local nursery or home improvement store. If you can not find one locally here is a decent Rapitest moisture meter at a low price as well as find some pH meters if needed.
Bruce, How many African cocoons can I put in 55 gallon drums which are split lengthwise. How long will they need to stay before dividing the bin? Also, can I use the MP moss for the bedding or Homedepot stuff be better? How deep should the bedding be? Wet?
Already doing the 14 day casting, just wanting to obtain more African’s. Thanks in advance.
screek
I would use the MP. If you want the to grow out in there only place about 600 cocoons per half 55 gallon bin which is basically 3 cubic feet. If trying to just hatch them and willing to change the bedding frequently especially as they grow you can add about 2.400 cocoons.
Bruce
Bruce