Local Pick-up - Live Red Wigglers Compost Worms

**Please note if you order for local pick-up your order will not be shipped. Our team will reach out within 24-48 hours of your order to schedule your worm pick-up. Pick-up times and dates are from 7:30 am-4:00 pm Tuesday - Friday but we need to confirm the pickup date and time with you first so the worms can be prepared before your arrival.**

Looking to pick-up live European Nightcrawlers instead? Check out our Selection of the Diverse Composting and Fishing Worm Here! 

New to worm composting? Check out our Worm Composting 101 - the Complete Guide to Starting a Worm Bin article for tips and strategies on starting a worm compost bin.

Why Buy Red Wigglers & Compost Worms?

Compost worms (aka red wigglers, manure worms, garden worms, etc), compared to nightcrawlers and other earthworm species, are considered the best composting worms for several reasons. They:

• Can quickly consume and process large amounts of organic material. By many estimates compost worms consume ~ 1/2 their weight in just a few days. So 1-2 pounds of red wiggler worms can consume several pounds of organic waste per week!
• Are easy to take care of and usually require less than 20 minutes per week of care (for feeding and light watering/misting).
• Survive and thrive in wider temperature, moisture, and soil pH ranges than other worms (e.g., nightcrawlers). Compost worms thrive in bed temperatures between 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive in much colder or warmer temperatures if they live in the ground or soil.
• Can consume many types of organic waste, and they are able to process the waste into rich vermicompost (aka worm castings) that is a proven soil amendment in producing higher yield and drought-resistant plants and vegetables in home gardens and commercial enterprises.

In addition, most compost worm and red wigglers grow to 2-4 inches and are a fantastic protein-rich food for aquarium fish, chickens, pet turtles and lizards!

What's in Your Order of Compost Worms?

Your order will include hand-sorted live red wigglers and compost worms in fresh bedding, carefully packed in a branded, reusable sack. Your order will include:

• Mostly mature adult compost worms with some juveniles and cocoons mixed in.
• Instructions for unpacking and caring for your live worms.
  

Our compost worm population includes Eisenia Fetida and Perionyx Excavatus. The breeds are very similar and both are great composters and very efficient at breaking down organic waste in vermicomposting bins and generating worm castings.  We use them at home and at our farm location to process organic waste and generate premium worm castings.

Compost Worms and Red Wiggler Frequently Asked Questions

How many red wiggler worms should I buy?

• For composting in a worm bin we recommend 1 pound of compost worms per 1-2 square feet of space. If you are starting a stackable worm bin, 1 pound of red wigglers is usually enough for your first tray. If you are new to worm composting, we recommend starting with a smaller order (e.g., 1 pound or less) of live worms until you are comfortable taking care of them.
• If you are an experienced worm farmer or composter, we recommend 2 pounds of compost worms for every pound of food waste you would like to compost per day.

Are compost worm bins smelly?

• No - they shouldn't be if a few simple rules are followed (see our blog for more info). Worm bins should mostly smell slightly musky like grass and dirt.

How fast will my red wigglers reproduce?

• As long as bin conditions remain favorable compost worms will reproduce very quickly. Mature red wiggler worms can reproduce as many as 1 cocoon per week, which on average will hatch 1-3 baby worms per cocoon. Upon hatching, baby compost worms will usually reach the juvenile stage and sexual maturity within 6-10 weeks. 

• Live worm reproduction is impacted by bin conditions, density, feed type, and time of year, so be patient and let nature take over! In good conditions your red wigglers population should reproduce and double in size every 3-6 months.

Worm Composting Questions?

We're service-obsessed and committed to making your compost worm order - and vermicomposting journey - a great experience.  Have questions? Email us at highfive@brotherswormfarm.com and we're happy to help!