Red-Wiggler (Composting) Worms

[Kyle The Toad]

I would like some red-wiggler worms for my paludarium. Does anybody know where I could buy them and the general price range that they fall under? Also, do I have to feed them, what do they eat? And how many should I get? There is about two feet (twenty-four inches) of "land-area" in my tank.

[froggsong]

You only want a few in a tank that size. You don't need to feed them as long as you have leaf litter, etc for them to eat. I wouldn't buy them if I were you. You'll only be able to buy them in quantities of 20 or more (IME). If you DO buy them, check bait stores, or even stores like walmart that have a fishing area. Pet store worms are more expensive and usually not healthy. I get mine out of the yard. They can be found easiest under rocks, old boards, cardboard that's been left out (a good way to attract them, as well as isopods), etc.

[Kyle The Toad]

I believe that you said once that they were a necessity. You said that without them, the soil would spoil and that I would have to turn it often. I think that was you... By a few do you mean three? I don't mind buying twenty or so and putting a few of them in the soil and then releasing the rest. You've also said that springtails are necessary, where do I get them? Thanks for replying. I still have to go get pillbugs before it gets too cold outside...

[beckdg]

if it's real dry out you'll have a lot less chances with the worms ime. if that's the case find a shaded cool area where things are laying on the ground like large rocks or lumber, etc.. flip it over and you should find something. check the web for identification before you put them in there.

i'm thinking with your user name you're probably a guy. that makes me think that you've probably been fishing with an uncle or your dad. chances are if you think back you can probably remember bait hunting... flipping rocks and such.

grab yourself a wonton soup container (cleaned out) or something similar (butter tub maybe) and poke a bunch of small holes in the top. scrape up some yard dirt and toss it in there. then your prepared to go hunting.

if your yard isn't the best place to find them find an open field or wooded area nearby and flip everything that looks like it's not absolutely dry underneath. it shouldn't take that long and you should get more than enough of both pillbugs and worms.

red wiggler:


pill bug:


EDIT: springtails are everywhere too. if you can't find them though (they're tiny) you can order a culture from josh's frogs.

[froggsong]

Yes, Kyle, that was me, lol (as far as them being a necessity goes, I don't think I was the one that mentioned turning, though it definitely applies). What I meant by "don't buy them" wasn't don't get them, just don't buy them. They are pretty much everywhere, and very easy to find (if you don't live somewhere very dry). Flipping a good sized rock that is nice and damp underneath should get you four or five at a time, as long as you grab them before they head down out of sight. I'd say go with no more than ten in a tank that size, and start with smaller ones, if you can.

For springtails, I would order them, if you don't want to wait for them to hitch a ride in on a plant (seems to always happen, lol). A year ago I would have told you to grab a handful of dirt from outside and add that to the tank to seed with springtails, but not now that I have the experience with all of the mites in this place I'm in (thank god there haven't been any on my snakes or lizards!). If you know anyone with an established vive, you could get a handful of their soil and add it in. I think it would probably be easiest to order some.

[Kyle The Toad]

Thanks for the replies, they were very helpful. It looks like I'm going back into the woods...

[Kyle The Toad]

Well, I found two pillbugs, and the toads are already trying to catch them... Oh, well. Anyway, Froggsong you said that I should have no more than nine red-wiggler worms in my paludarium due to the small amount of "land-area". I forgot to mention that the soil is about 6.5"-8" deep. Will that have an effect on the amount of worms that I add?

[beckdg]

it could for now, but i wouldn't think for long. they'll breed and fill in quite nice if things are right.

[froggsong]

Beck is exactly right. You don't want to add too many because they will breed. If you overpopulate the tank with worms, they will die (dead, rotting worms are soooooo beyond nasty) and decompose, adding to the potential problem rather than being a preventative.

[Kyle The Toad]

Alright, thanks.