What Makes Redworms Different?
An article by Dan Corbin
There are literally thousands of
types of earthworms. Only a few lend
themselves to commercial culture. Redworms
currently comprise the vast majority of the
commercial market. Depending on which part of
the world you live in, they are known by different
local names: Manure worms, English Reds,
Hybrid Reds, Red Wigglers, Ozark Tiger worms, etc.
For simplicity here, I will just call them redworms.
Most of these worms are basically the same type of
worm (Lumbricus terrasterius). They are
lively, make outstanding fish bait worms, and are a
valuable addition to gardens and composting systems.
They can be grown in most climates.
A full grown redworm is from 2 to
4 inches long. The redworm's size is perfect
for fishing with a small hook, and they are great
for catching most sunfish, catfish, and trout.
Redworms are especially suited to
bin culture because of several unique
characteristics:
1. Each redworm has both
male and female reproductive organs, they are
hermaphrotic. An exchange of sperm occurs
between two worms during mating. The egg
capsules are formed from a mucus tube secreted by
the clitellum with is the thick band near the head
of the body of a mature worm. During mating,
the eggs are fertilized by sperm deposited within
this mucus tube. The mucus tube then slips off
the end of the worm and forms the egg capsules.
Each worm can form an egg capsule after mating with
another worm.
2. They are fast
reproducers. Given the proper conditions, a
mature redworm can produce one egg capsule every 7
to 15 days, which after three to five weeks, may
hatch out an average of two to four baby worms.
3. the newly hatches worms
reach breeding age in two to three months (90 days
approx.) at which time the clitellum or thick band
behind the head appears.
4. Redworms are very hardy
and are able to tolerate wide variations in
temperature and they ship well in damp peat moss or
other packing material.
5. Redworms make good bait
worms because they are lively and can remain alive
underwater for an hour or more.
6. Redworms are productive
worms. They process approximately one half or
more of their own weight in food or bedding in 24
hours and quickly transform vegetable waste into
nutrient rich organic compost. This
characteristic makes them useful in composing
projects.
7. Cups of redworms do not
require refrigeration. They keep well on a shelf for
a week or so at normal retail store temperature.
8. They usually will not
attempt to crawl away, or migrate, if adequate food
and water are provided for them.
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Redworms