I have had a number of requests for information on what I feed my red worms to make them big and fat. In short it is an ancient worm feed secret 
Actually in this article I will give you a great grain recipe which also helps to maintain an almost perfect , constant PH level for your worms whether Red Wigglers, African Nightcrawlers, Europeans… as well as an additional red worm food formula!
Now there are more extravagant formulas, one which will be available online in the near future, however if you are anxious to try something the following will prove beneficial.
First, I feed my worms what my mother fed me that she claims made me so tall, greens! I do mix them up and limit starches such as bread and potatoes. I also refrain from using tomatoes and other high acidic fruits and vegetables.
I realize other sites will tell you that worms love coffee grinds, and they do, however if you add too much your bin will end up becoming acidic. Just as most of us were told growing up, anything is good in moderation.
For my trophy worms I use for fishing, I actually use a blender to liquefy the ingredients. Afterwards I mix in a little spent coffee grinds as well as peat moss to thicken the mixture. Now don’t go making it like a thick mud but rather just enough to keep the liquid from running off or ponding in your mix. Remember to allow it to sit in your garage or outside covered up for about 24 hours as the peat moss will continue to draw up the moisture.
Now one thing I do for the trophy worms is to freeze my mix as this modifies the molecular structure enabling the mix to break down even faster for quick consumption by the worms when I do feed them. Just be sure to thaw it out and warm up to room temperature before adding to your bin.
The Simplest Advanced Grain Formula Mix You Can Make:
As with any grain mix, sprinkle on top and even mist with some water. I personally leave my fishing worm bins uncovered; hence I place some moist shredded newspaper over my grain. Be consistent on feeding the grain as needed whether once a day or once every couple days.
The recipe:
2 Cups Oatmeal
1 Cup Cornmeal
1 Dozen Egg Shells
Many websites state you need to cook your eggs with the shells in order to use in your worm bin. I have never had an issue by rinsing cracked egg shells than have not been cooked with warm water thoroughly. Allow them to dry out well.
Add the egg shells to you blender and pulverize them to a powdery mix. Slowly add your other ingredients. You may need to shake the blender or rattle it back and forth as this is a dry mixture in order to continue mixing and breaking down to a powdery mix.
There are other formulas which will enable faster growth, without hormone shots which I will introduce in a couple weeks.
For now enjoy the site and sign up for the free worm composting newsletter if you have not already done so as well as the Organic Worm Farm Affiliate Program!
Bruce
Excellent Information! I’ve been messing around with all kinds of worm food. The web has many wrong! ideas on to what to feed. Bruce got it right. I’m mixing the fixings as I write.
P.S. Someone, somehow. somewhere, told me ‘maters’ are good worm food. I just removed all the tomatoes I had placed in my worm bins.
Blake,
Thanks for your comment
Yes the Internet is full of inaccurate information. Once a person states something others will copy and repeat it, hence making it appear to be the absolute truth.
The problem arises when many owners of websites offering red worms for sale use a worm broker and do not even raise worms themselves. Hence they have no clue except to repeat what others have stated.
As for tomatoes, they are acidic and will also turn your bin acidic if you add a bunch. Just a little tomato scrap should not harm your worm bin especially if pulverizing the eggshells and mixing with the daily or every couple day dose of grain.
Once I had added eggshells to my grain mix, I have not had a PH problem after a little time went by.
In reality I used the grain mix listed above with great results when I got started but had to move onto an industrial type grain that I purchase in 50 pound bags. Once the new packaging bags arrive we will be selling in smaller quantities (1 lb. & 5 lb’s) from the Organic Worm Farm Online Store!
I still add pulverized eggshells to it though
Glad you found the information useful.
Bruce Galle
BRUCE, YOUR SITE IS INTERESTING. I RECENTLY STARTED FRESHWATER FISHING AGAIN, AFTER AN 8 YEAR LAYOFF.I’M NOT INTERESTED IN SELLING WORMS, BUT ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE A WORM BED FOR MYSELF. BAIT STORES AROUND HERE ARE FAR AND FEW AND EXPESIVE, I THINK. I FISH BY MYSELF AND GO QUITE OFTEN. I’M IN NEW JERSEY, 07670 (ZIP CODE). MOSTLY BASS,CATFISH,TROUT,SALMON,PERCH,SUNNYS,CARP, ETC……. CATCH AND RELEASE. I DON’T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE EXPENSE OF DOING A WORM BED AND IT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SO, I’M GOING TO BE A CHALLENGING STUDENT AND ONE OF YOUR BEST. WHAT IS A WORM CASTING? THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP, PETE.
Pete,
Hello and welcome. I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. Been a “good” long week!
First off, check out The Worm Expert discussion forum as I try to update this quicker, hence I can answer more of your questions faster over there
As for worm castings, they are worm droppings or more bluntly, worm poop. They do not have any odor other than the small of fresh virgin soil.
Worm castings are also full of beneficial microbes which assist plants in growth and disease immunity. The pH is balanced right between 6 & 7 on the pH scale.
Pete, if you ever tried Miracle Grow, believe me when I tell you this actually blows it away. This comes from someone that swore by Miracle Grow for years and probably used to be their best spokes person
Worm castings can be applied directly to the soil as well as brewed into what is called “worm tea” which can be sprayed directly onto the plants.
Hope this helps!
Bruce Galle
Newbie : I’ve got a couple boxes going. A small bait box with a couple dozen euro, worms. The question was “what to feed them ?” . I slept on it & came up with this ( I need ounces, not pounds ) : I powdered up some bird seed and corn meal & dried egg shell in a coffee mill ! The “blender” kind of mill. The worms seem to go for it. We will see. ; J.B.
Me Too ! Exactly what “Peter” said … FISHIN’ WORMS ! Great information Bruce. The “web” is also confusing because they often don’t identify the type of worm to which the information applies. I got it all here in 5 minutes. Soak the pete for 2 days : Temp. PH & moisture content ( I bought a meter ). I’m off the races ! The worm races… that is. Thanks . J.B.
Thanks Bruce!
I will use this recipe when i get some worms.
Bruce, you posted a formula for worm food, but i would like to know how much topsoil you mix this with. I am raising my worms in a 5 gal. bucket, aprox. half full of soil, how much of your recipe would you mix with 2 1/2 gals. of soil feeding aprox. 500 worms. Thank you very much. Earl McKee
Earl
You do not want to mix the grain mix in with the bedding as this will sour it and kill off worms. Grain mix should be applied on top of the bedding as a surface food source only. The amount to apply would be similar to a heavy salting of food…. Only to be repeated once the original dose is completely gone.
Bruce
I used to have severe problem with the tiny red mites with my red wigglers, using coir bedding. After using powered egg shells the problem went away. I microwave the empty shells, then, into a blender and sprinkle on top. Will this procedure also work with common earthworms and european worms by top feeding?
Thanks
Harlan
It can also work with earthworms and European nightcrawlers. Keep in mind usually mites are after the food especially when top feeding. Usually it can be a sign of too much food or that the worm bin bedding is to wet. You can also try to dry the bedding out and stop feeding if need be for a bit. Another trick to help dry out the bedding would be to add some dry bedding to the top of the worm bin or dry shredded newspaper which will absorb some of the excess. Once the nespaper becomes good and damp, remove and add some new dry shredded newspaper. Continue the process until the bedding material reaches an optimum moisture level.
Bruce
Bruce I just started a worm bin with red wigglers and european crawlers I keep them in the basement that drops to high forties to low 50′s is that too cold for the worms they seem to be eating the food scraps but not as quick as I would think I plan on getting some cornmeal and oatmeal to get them started on grain diet plus eggshells as you suggested should I cook the oatmeal or just mix with cornmeal and eggshells uncooked? thanks for the info John
John
The temperature is sufficient for the red wigglers and European nightcrawlers however it is on the cooler side. Once the worms get colder, they begin to shut down, hence eating less. Once it warms up they will resume eating much more food.
The oatmeal should NOT be cooked… just use from the box!
Bruce
Bruce HELP!! My worms are disappearing and I don’t mean they are crawling out of their bins. I got concerned when I noticed that they stopped eating because their food was molding on the surface. I have wigglers, African and European nightcrawlers (seperate bins). The wigglers seem to be eating but I turned my other 2 bins and there are very few worms ( I had hundreds in each bin). I am following your feeding receipe which worked fine and now all of a sudden… no worms.!!??
Irene
There could be a couple issues going on here.
First do not turn the bedding material. I know many websites tell you to do this
however I never do it. Think of it this way, when in a natural state outside does
the bedding get turned? Mixing the bedding only can result in souring the bedding
hence killing off worms. The worms themselves aerate the material…
Secondly temperature will effect eating patterns. As the temperature drops
the worms will slow down, so check this.
Thirdly especially when it comes to Europeans, check the pH level
as over time it can raise.
The worms will break down rapidly when they die off hence why you may not see
that many. Also, the worms maybe clumped together in a corner somewhere
for the most part.
Let me know what you find and I will try to assist further.
Bruce
I noticed that my name is posted on my lates request, 30 Dec 2010. Please use only my user ID and not my full name. Thank you in advance for your help.
I’m still working my disappearing sorm issue. Also I am not having any luck killing those little tiny “white bugs” in my bins even after dusting with your “dusting powder” I just purchased from you.
I live in eastern NC.I started with 1lb of euros back last spring,in a plastic pail,I now have 5 bins made of wood 2ftx4ft.I raise them outside,had to use heating pads this winter.I just finished sorting largest ones for bin #6.And sifted casting(got 2 wheel barrals fulI) plan on selling them to local bait stores and castings to hardware and plant stores.Question I have is How to package and label the castings.I thought aboutvacuum sealing them in 5lb plastic freeser bags.I also would be greatful if you could give me so advice on how to talk tackle shops into selling the worms I have 1 so far(a freind).Lastly I figure maybe 14 worms for $2 with a promise (to the shops)that they will live for 2 week with out refrigeration.
Ted,
As for selling bait worms, here in western SC one usually gets 18 worms per cup which retails for $3.00 and wholesales for $1.96. I would start by approaching perhaps filling stations and such that currently do not carry bait… less competition.
As for the worm castings do NOT seal in plastic bags. Worm castings contain aerobic microbes, one of the items which make them so great for plants and root growth. By definition, aerobic – requires oxygen to survive. By sealing in a non breathable bag you are killing of the aerobic microbes and could actually generate anaerobic microbes which can be detrimental as many are associated with produce alcohols and other substances which can kill plant root cells.
Best to bag worm castings in a breathable bag such as sandbags which you can get from Uline.com.
Bruce
Is chicken feed from Petco okay to use?
I use chicken laying mash from tractor supply then put it in a blender till it turns to powder and wet it till I can mash it and almost no water comes out.My worms bred like rabbits.Went from about 500 to must be ten thousand.I also get veggies(mainly lettuces)from local grocery store’s dumpster.With their permission!!!
Thanks Ted!
hi guys
what about using fish meal in the mix?
currently i am using bran, maize meal,laying pellets and some agricultural lime
what do you guys think?
Ron
I have never tried nor thought about fish meal however have been concentrating on what worms eat naturally in the wild. Now I know this is vague at first, however looking back over time to what was at one time the most fertile soil in the world, the Valley of the Nile. Now I am not sure how it ranks now as there have been dams built which has prevented some of the natural yearly floods from occurring. Basically there were certain materials including minerals that helped to feed the worms which helped to create the fertility of the soil.
That being said, I would imagine that with the floods there would have been some fish remains within the silt which washed up. I would be careful and use only a little in your mix but you might be onto something here.
Let us know what you find out.
Bruce
I took half a pack seaweed paper and blended it up with some water and made a mush, then I let the mush sit in the refrigerator for about a week. I added the mush to my worm bin and the worms seem to really enjoy it. I figure that since it is full of great things such amino acids and trace minerals that it would be a good treat for the worms.
I also have a worm farm that has tiger worms that I use for fishing. Can anyone advise how to fatten tiger worms. I currently feed them pumkin and have thousands of worms but they are very small and almost too thin to get on a hook.
Neville
First you may have them too crowded to grow out…. A maximum number we use is two pounds per cubic foot of bedding and even better if one pound to the cubic foot.
As for food sources, a mixture of good manure along with some Purina Worm Chow will grow them and fatten them like crazy if they have the room to do so.
Bruce
Thanks Bruce – I guess I have to stop my worms from breeding and reduce the numbers. With worm feed whats your thoughts on using bran as a supplement – also some have suggested paper munched up in a vitamiser with a small amount of water is good.
Appreciate anyones comments.
Neville
What do you recommend as a substitute for egg shells.
Jim
I would recommend Dolomite Lime which is a powdered form for agricultural use. The reason I use this type is the fact it is high in magnesium as well.
Bruce
how much dolomite lime in bin.
Bill
To start I use 1 tablespoon per cubic foot of bedding material. The amount can and will vary depending on the acid content of the bedding material one uses. I also mix some up in Purina Worm Chow… approximately 1/2 cup to fifty pounds along with a cup of Diatomaceous Earth (food grade). This eliminates the need for adding any more for the duration directly.
Bruce
thanks,this will help get rid of the ants also.
Bill
The Diatomaceous Earth will help to kill off the ants just be sure you use food grade and not pool garde.
Bruce
How is the best way to check ph in worm bin?
I am raising worms for bait, and was wonding if this grain mixture or Purina Worm Chow would be the best fatten up my worms? Also I am just now starting out (agine) and was wonding if I could just feed my worms the Purina or this grian mixture or do I need to feed the worms vegetable scraps to? Also I read on one website that cornmeal has folic acid in it and is bad for the worms, but when I done every thing by that website all of my died. It also said to feed the worms a lot of starchie foods to. When I found this website I read a page that said go light on the starches. I have raed a lot of this about starting worms beds and site seems to be the best website on the subject. I have a question about the bedding to, I can not any sphagnum peat moss any I have looked so far and was wonding if I can use just top soil, shreded news paper and finally crushed egg shells for the bedding. Thanks in Advance Shawn
Shawn
Yes there is a lot of misinformation out there. Thanks for the compliment on this website.
Most anything should be in moderation, however one can use just the Purina Worm Chow which is formulated especially for worms, including minerals and vitamins. I would recommend using powdered agricultural lime or the grown up eggshells too. I actually have been adding about 1 tablespoon of the Dolomite lime to five pounds of the Purina Worm Chow during the warmer months.
As for using soil, most of the worms we sell are composting worms and soil should not be used. You would be better using some damp composted out leaves and shredded newspapers for compost worms as the bedding source. You may have issues with them adapting at first however they should take to it especially if you use the bedding material they come shipped in too.
Bruce
Gary
One would need a pH tester, same as used for soil testing for plants. A lower end model cn be found at the link below if you cannot locate one at a local hardware or garden center.
Hydrofarm MGMP1 Active Air 2-Way pH & Moisture Meter (See all Plant Growing Lamps)
Bruce
Bruce,
Will “Instant Oat Meal” work; Like “Quakers Instant Oat Meal”?
Jerry
I have never tried instant oatmeal… You may wish to read ingredients first to check what is in them… i.e. sugar, salt… as I don’t know. I have only tried the old fashion style oatmeal which takes a little longer to prepare for human consumption
Bruce
I was wondering if the Grain recipe you give in you 14 day book is a replacement for the Worm Chow,and if it will work with the 14 day method.
I`m thinking of using that Grain Recipe with Red Wigglers in a smaller container..(1 gal bucket) to see if it will be any faster than the Worm Factory 360,or,if the worms will at least grow a little larger,quicker.
Thank You for giving such expert advice.
Jerry
Hey Bruce, got my worms, whats in the sandwich size bag?
dolomite: CaMg:(CO2)2 usually found in limestone,great for charging a blastfurnace. Why not crushed Oyster shells, or sea shells? I think they called it chichen scratch..
Reading the Ingredients on the Purina chow, make one think it came from GNC..
Bruce,
My African Night Crawlers are eating a TBL spoon of “Purina Worm Chow” almost every day.
Should I not feed them that often,or,what?
My local K Mart has one of those expanding Window Screens on sale for $3.00,and some change.The kind one uses in a window by opening the window,inserting the screen,and then lowering the window down onto the screen.The mesh is 1/8th inch.I have found it to be perfect for my small worm sifting needs.I took the screen apart;it comes in two parts,and added a 1/4 inch screen on one half,and left the 1/8th inch screen as is.
Jerry
i have red and green worms with hard shells. do they hurt anything. do worms mix breed?
Jerry
As long as the food is gone from the previous day, it is fine to feed them each day.
As for the screen… thanks for sharing:-)
Bruce
Bill
Not sure what you mean by hard shell? If you go to the Worm Expert discussion forum and upload a picture of these worms might help to evaluate what you have.
Worm do not cross breed as their sexual organs don’t line up. I do know many have claimed in the past to create hybrids by cross breeding, however if this were true, rather than several thousand species of worms today we would have millions of species.
Bruce
Ben
You probably referring to the heat pack enclosed used in cooler weather to keep the worms warm during their journey
Chicken scratch is actually feed consisting of numerous materials. Shells take much longer to break down and usually to hard to grind for most purposes and tools available for most.
Bruce
what about the hormone shots as promised in the article? Was this ever done as I cannot see it! Many thanks.
Kevin
The hormone shots was meant as a joke as we do not use any hormones in our feed or worms. In fact I pay extra for items such as chicken feed which contains no additives!
Bruce
bruce i put about 200 cocoons in a 5 gal bucket.tell me what i should do now. thanks bill ellisor.
There are other formulas which will enable faster growth,without hormone shots
which I will introduce in a couple weeks……Where can I find that recipe?
Jerry