When looking around online you will notice something peculiar. Many websites use the same images for their red worm photos.  Usually this would mean they are using a worm broker, hence they do not raise worms themselves or they simply have opted, with or without permission to use the pictures of the original photographer for their own website.

Now let me break this down as this can be relevant when ordering your worms.

First, how do they know the quality of the worms they are offering if not raising themselves? This also breaks down further to the information they offer on their websites as to how to raise red worms. Many sites offer inaccurate information concerning how to raise red composting worms, most likely because they do not raise them and have simply duplicated information they read on another website.

The game telephone comes to mind here that we all played at one time or another as youngsters.

One very common example of this is the little spigot offered on many “Worm Factory” type bins available online. I cannot tell you how many websites inform you this will drain “worm tea” from the bottom of the bin to spray on your plants. In reality this is not worm tea, but rather referred to as “leachate“.  This only develops when your worm bin is to wet. Usually it smells and will actually harm your plants. Even when it does not smell, applying too much will kill your plants!

Unlike leachate, worm tea brewed from worm castings will not hurt or damage your plants no matter how much you use. The trick is to use it soon after it is brewed, usually within 24 hours if not used immediately.

On the latter previously mentioned concerning use of another pictures, all I can say if they are that lazy, I am not sure I want to order worms from them… would you?

Another funny thing that comes to mind is going to a restaurant to order some lunch… OK worms and lunch may not mix… and ordering something on the menu for the picture of it looks real good.  How many times has your food been delivered looking nothing like the picture on the menu?

This holds true for many of the websites offering red worms as well.

The pictures used on Organic Worm Farm are those of actual orders being shipped off to clients. These were not setup for a photo opts but rather the average size worms which are delivered to the customer’s doorstep with consistency.

In short, be sure to purchase your red worms from a reputable worm farm as there are a few good ones however they are outnumbered by the not so reputable dealers. One reputable website to order worms from is Organic Worm Farm as they deliver top notch worms with consistency again and again.