How to grow dungworms at home?

How to breed dung worms

A dung worm is essentially an earthworm, it is slightly longer, up to 12 cm long, and its mobility, unlike its congeners, this worm is able to hide very quickly in holes. Manure worms live mainly in compost heaps, pits and in the manure itself, from where they got their name. Breeding this species is not as difficult as, for example, a Californian (with which it is easy to confuse it because they are very similar in appearance), for the initial maintenance you will need a plastic container, the bottom of which must be equipped with drainage holes, the diameter of which should not be large because at the bottom of the container it should be covered with sand by 2-3 cm so that excess moisture is better absorbed, and also after receiving vermicompost, it had a not so oily structure.

On top of the sand we spread a layer of hay about 5 cm thick. And on top we supplement everything with biohumus available on the market, so that the worms after the move feel like they say at ease. Thus, we have prepared the future dwelling place for the dung worm and now we can go shopping for the first family. The dung worm feeds mainly on plant, rotting mass, but food from kitchen waste is suitable for breeding at home, this is peeling potatoes. apples, porridge, but not milk, banana peel, one feature - if the Californian and the prospector do not grind the feed much, then the dung worm is best turned into a mass using a meat grinder or a blender. Before placing the worm in the container, the soil must be spilled with water at room temperature, since the manure worm likes high humidity, pour it, then squeeze the watered earth in a fist - the water should seep out a little.

Place the family in a container and wait for the worms to hide in the ground, then sprinkle a layer of food about three cm thick from the top and cover the top with thick, corrugated, wet cardboard. Move the container to a warm place, as soon as the worms begin to eat cardboard, that is, they gnaw it in such a way that they begin to crawl out of it in several places, this indicates that it is time to feed them, we do the same procedure, that is, a layer of food watering, cardboard, and so on until your dung worm container is full. As soon as this happens, you need to stop feeding him, then he rises to the surface with his whole family and this will allow you to plant and separate the family.

The produced vermicompost is slightly dried and packed in plastic containers. Next, the family is divided into two parts (you will see for yourself that the number will increase significantly, small baby worms will appear). Thus, you will increase the number of worms in progression and will soon be able to put the production of vermicompost on the flow, the price of which, frankly speaking, is not small. Below you will see a couple of videos of experienced breeders breeding a dungworm. Happy viewing!

Muckworm. Breeding.

Avid fishermen know that the catch depends entirely on the bait and it is very good if you do not have to go to special stores, but you have the opportunity to collect it on your own site.From the article you can find out how you can breed a variety of worms, which are used for fishing, in a garden, a shed and even in an apartment.

What worms are used by fishermen

Not all worms that can be encountered in our area are suitable for bait. Only a few varieties are in demand by fishermen.

1. Crawls or earthworms. They got their name due to their ability to appear on the soil surface, crawling out of deep burrows only after rain. These are large worms, among which there are real giants up to 30 cm in length. As bait, crawlers are suitable for catching almost all freshwater fish.
2. Dung worms. Judging by the name, you can immediately guess about their habitat. These creatures are painted dark red, are small and live in colonies, which greatly facilitates their collection. They are very attractive to fish.
3. Loose leaves. They live in heaps of foliage, under logs and stones. The size is medium, the color is dark purple. Among the shortcomings, we can note the property that it is easy to break off the hook.
4. Red Californian worms. This variety was obtained artificially from the above-described dung individuals. Unlike unpretentious parents, when growing, they require certain conditions: silence, peace, warmth and suitable soil moisture.

Earthworm

All of these species, when certain conditions are created for them, live well enough and reproduce quickly in ordinary garden plots. In the cold season, you can breed worms indoors.

How to breed crawling worms

In their natural form, these worms live in the soil, where you can find the remains of plant organic matter, which they feed on. Passing the earth through their intestines, the creepers turn it into nutritious humus, and thanks to the underground passages made by them during movement, air exchange in the soil is significantly improved. Gardeners have long noticed that plants grow better where earthworms live.

It is quite simple to build a wormhole on the site and breed crawlers in it. If this is a warm season, then it is enough to dig a small trench and fill it with garden soil mixed with rotten leaves and humus. In a few days, it will be possible to find there a sufficient number of individuals for fishing.

Attention! When arranging a worm house, it is important to ensure that no ash or coals get into the soil. Worms can't stand it.

When the cold comes, worms can be kept in a barn, on a balcony, in a basement, etc. The main condition for them is that the room temperature must be at least + 15 ° С.

They make a wormhole like this:

1. Take a shallow (about 20 cm) wooden box with gaps on the sides.
2. From the inside, it is lined with breathable material (burlap, lutrasil, etc.).
3. The container is filled with earth mixed with chopped hay and the remnants of leaves.
4. The substrate is moistened and 20-30 specimens are placed on its surface.

In the future, you need to monitor the moisture content of the soil and regularly pour plant residues and other food that the worms eat into the box.

Advice. The soil in the box should be mixed regularly. This distributes moisture and feed evenly. In addition, thanks to this action, the worms do not get lost in dense tangles, inside which they can die.

How to grow dung and California worms for fishing

A box for these varieties is prepared in the same way as for rainwater. The substrate in which the red worms will live is prepared with a slightly different composition. It includes:

• straw;
• manure;
• sawdust;
• hay;
• Earth.

All components are mixed well, placed in boxes, moistened and tamped well.

Attention! The environment where the worms live should always be moist. With an indicator of 22%, the inhabitants of the wormhole may die.

The acidity of the soil in which it is planned to breed pets should be within pH6-pH7. At pH9 or pH5, the worms do not live. The temperature in the room with the worms should be around + 24 ° C.With a cold snap, the worms begin to eat less, dig deeper into the soil and fall asleep.

California worm

Pets are fed with all kinds of plant and food waste. Leftovers of bread, various cereals, dry rolled oats and bran will do.

Advice. In order for the worms to multiply better, dairy products need to be introduced into their diet: low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt.

Breeding worms at home is more troublesome than buying them in the store. But, if you have a home worm farm, you will always have an unlimited amount of excellent bait at hand. And this, whatever one may say, is already half of the success of fishing.

How to breed worms at home: video

For fishing, both artificial and natural types of bait are used. Regardless of the season and fishing method, the worm is as good as artificial bait. It is not always possible to buy the necessary worm in the store, and the price of such a purchase can be overpriced.

Breeding worms at home is not a very difficult task, it is enough to have the necessary information.

Breeding rules and features

Varieties and characteristics of worms:

Prospector

The most popular in the field of worm breeding is the "prospector". This is a representative of one of the species of California red worms. It differs from its counterparts in a high level of productivity and fertility. He has a well-developed instinct for self-preservation. At low temperatures, the "prospector" dives to a safe depth. The temperature range for breeding is from +8 to +29 ° С. An adult is capable of producing about 1,500 worms per year. The worm is unpretentious in food, quickly gets used to another type of food. Resistant to many types of diseases.

California red worm

The California red worm is easy to grow at home. He is less prolific than his fellows. On average, 400 new individuals appear per year. An adult worm reaches 8 cm in length and weighs 1 g. Like a prospector, the main advantage is the speed of biomass production. The resulting vermicompost has saturated enzymes, the maximum amount of microelements and active substances. Comfortable conditions for the successful life of the red worm will be a temperature of 15-25 degrees and a relative humidity of the habitat of 60%. In such conditions, he is able to live for about 16 years. The disadvantages of the Californian worm include pickiness in the choice of food, increased thermophilicity and the negative effects of direct sunlight.

Plain rain

The advantage of common earthworms is their good adaptation to the environment. This type of worm is considered a universal bait - more than a dozen different types of fish peck at it perfectly. The length of the grown worm reaches 15-30 cm, specimens that have reached 40 cm are often found. The main disadvantages are low life expectancy (up to 4 years), passivity in reproduction. Despite the shortcomings, earthworms are unpretentious in nutrition and have a fairly active growth.

Flour worm

The mealworm is the larva of the beetle beetle. It tolerates temperature extremes and has a high reproduction rate at home. For development, a comfortable temperature is considered to be 28 degrees, while the humidity should not fall below 50%. They are not whimsical in the choice of food.

Muckworm

This worm is a favorite delicacy of many fish. The yellow liquid inside it has a specific smell that drives the fish crazy. These worms are similar in appearance to red ones. The difference lies in the conditions of detention. To create a habitat, you need: sawdust, manure, rotten hay or straw, black soil, wet leaves. All this is mixed and well pressed. The higher the soil pressure, the more comfortable it is for worms to live there. They have no preferences for temperature conditions and high humidity.

Dendrobena

In the selection, there are also specially bred worms for fishing - Dendrobena. This type of worm reproduces sluggishly, but it has a very fleshy body structure. Caring for them has certain difficulties associated with the constant maintenance of increased optimal living conditions.

Eating worms

The worms feed on rotten or dead plant debris. It is recommended to add to their diet cleaning from potatoes, stale bread, cabbage leaves, banana peel, kefir diluted with water, grass, rotting straw, remnants of used tea or coffee grounds, chicken droppings, manure, boiled vegetables.

It is forbidden to add the following ingredients to the food of worms:

• meat-containing waste;
• citrus peel;
• eggs;
• fermented milk products (the acidity of the environment increases);
• fresh manure (generates destructive heat up to 70 ° C).

Before serving food, it is well chopped in a meat grinder. The composition of the feed must be constant. When changing food, individuals must undergo adaptation over several weeks.

Putting a new portion of food is necessary 2-3 times a month. It all depends on the temperature regime - the warmer, the more often and more the worms eat food. Remember, excess food ferments the soil, increasing its acidity.

Breeding worms

Worms are more commonly purchased from pet stores, the Internet, and fishing stores. When making a purchase, you should pay special attention to their appearance and general condition. They must be active and of a solid color.

Settlement technology and rules for caring for worms

It is possible to breed worms not only in the village or in the country. Any place without noise and unnecessary vibration is suitable for this: in an apartment on a balcony or in a "dark" room, in a garage, in a garden or other utility room. The main condition is compliance with the optimal temperature regime and sufficient humidity (70%). Unpleasant odors can be avoided by sprinkling the feed with earth or vermicompost.

To breed worms at home, you need to buy a vermicomposter or make a do-it-yourself worm hole. This design is a plastic or wooden box (box), about 40 cm high. Ventilation openings should be provided in the breeding container.

Holes are drilled in the top of the box or lid. The structure is installed at a slight slope in order to drain the worm tea formed during the life of the worms through the hole drilled in the bottom. An old refrigerator can act as a worm. It is placed with the doors up, drilling holes in advance.

If you do not want to make a wormhole, you can purchase a ready-made special product for growing worms - a vermicomposter. It is made in the form of two plastic boxes installed one on top of the other. Both have ventilation holes and special slots on the bottom. A crane is mounted in the lower drawer, located on the legs. It is used to drain the resulting vermicelli.

After preparing the soil mixture, for 2-3 days a deepening is made in it and the first residents are settled in the wormhole. After that, the soil is evenly distributed and covered with a lid. We add food two days after the arrival.

To know the required level of soil acidity, we make a trial settlement in a smaller container. For breeding worms, the optimum acidity of the soil wash will fluctuate in the range of 6.6-7.7 rN. At higher acidity, the worms begin to die. Reduce its level by adding eggshells, chalk or limestone to the soil. To increase the acidity, sawdust, straw or plant remains are used.

If within a week the surface of the substrate is clean, and the worms are actively mobile, then the settlement was successful..

Feeding the worms is done every 1.5-2 weeks. The food is applied evenly on the entire surface of the box with a thickness of 5-7 cm. Under favorable conditions, worms multiply very quickly, therefore, it is necessary to have prepared wormholes for relocation in advance.Monitor the humidity at all times. The watering procedure is carried out with warm (room temperature + 24 ° C) water using a watering can with small holes.

With a substrate layer of more than 20 cm, loosening is necessary to enrich the soil with oxygen. Mixing is carried out with a special pitchfork or other instrument with rounded ends. This procedure should be carried out twice a week.

As a result of the activity of worms, the soil, which is located in the box, is divided into three zones. The top layer contains nutrients. The layer in the middle is used by adults for housing. All products of their active processing are collected in the lower layer, which is why it is so important. This layer grows over time. After 3-4 months, the worms are transplanted into a new container, along with a small part of the substrate of the lower layer. And the process starts over.

Reproduction of worms

A new generation of worms emerge from cocoons. One female is able to lay only one cocoon per week. A month later, newborn worms appear. On average, 20 worms hatch from a cocoon. In two months, they grow to the size of an adult. During the year, the worm lays up to 24 cocoons. During the growth period, the worms actively feed, so they will have to feed more often.

Comfortable conditions for breeding: temperature in the range from +20 to +24 degrees, humidity 70%. It is desirable to keep different types of worms in separate boxes.

Blitz Tips

1. It is better to cover the bottom of the box with a net, so it is more convenient to sift out vermicompost.
2. You can keep earthworms and red worms together in one wormhole.
3. Cow dung only becomes suitable for feeding after 6 months.
4. The resulting vermicompost is effectively used for fertilizing strawberries, vegetables in the greenhouse and indoor plants.
5. Some types of worms are used to obtain medicines.

Today, almost everyone is trying to start their own business. However, not everyone succeeds. Often, competitors do not allow to break through to a large market, or the occupation is not to your liking. Have you considered breeding worms at home as a business? No? Then this material is for you.

Which worms are better to choose

First of all, remember that breeding such animals does not require selection by breed. You can start with a local variety. For example, low-cost manure worms adapt perfectly to life in nurseries. Such individuals begin to reproduce much faster. Hence the first conclusion: it is better to collect worms on your own. The simplest of them are rainwater. Breeding worms as a business in this situation will not require large costs.

Where to get worms

If you decide to start breeding worms as a business, then you should collect them. To do this, dig a shallow hole and place some rotting leaves or manure in it. Be sure to moisten the filler. The main thing is not to overdo it. After that, simply cover the hole with a board or a layer of cardboard. A week later, the first tenants will appear in your "house". Transfer the individuals to the box along with the soil in which they lived. For worm breeding as a business to generate income, one square meter requires at least a kilogram of invertebrates. This is about 1000 individuals.

Choosing a room

When you have collected the worms, you need to consider the place where they will live. A specially equipped room is not required for their breeding. It is important that its area matches your desires. Of course, it is best to breed California worms (or any other) in a heated building. A garage or cellar is perfect for these purposes. If you are going to raise your pets in an ordinary barn, then get ready for the fact that a decrease in air temperature to 4 ° C will affect the activity of worms. They will simply hibernate. In this case, you will have to forget about breeding worms in the winter.If you want to do this throughout the year, then you should take care of heating and, of course, a large farm. After all, the number of individuals will grow. For example, on large farms where the breeding of dendroben worms is considered a business, their number can reach 100 thousand or more.

Special nursery boxes

Breeding the California worm as a business is not a big deal. The main thing is to create optimal conditions for its reproduction. It is best to keep the worms in special nursery boxes. You can make them yourself. However, remember that each type of worm requires a box of a certain size. In such nurseries, the most comfortable conditions for invertebrates are created. Boxes can be made of plastic or wood.

Tree nursery

You will need boards to make it. Their thickness should be 25 millimeters. If you are breeding an earthworm, then it is better for you to make a nursery box corresponding to the following parameters: 100X20X50 centimeters. When the box is ready, turn it over and drill into the bottom of the hole. After that, set the box on the bars so that it stands at a slight slope. This is necessary so that the valuable liquid ("worm tea" - a waste product of these animals) flows down gently. Cover all seams and corners with tin tape. This will eliminate the penetration of rodents into the nursery. Don't forget the roof. You can simply make it out of planks. If not, then you can use a sheet of plywood. Be sure to make holes in the roof. They are necessary for normal air circulation.

Plastic container

If you have achieved positive results, and breeding California worms as a business generates you income, then you can purchase special containers made of plastic. You shouldn't buy these items if you are just starting out. Since such acquisitions are quite costly. Agree, if you don't like the breeding of dendroben or ordinary rainworms, then such a purchase will be simply in vain for you, and you will throw your money down the drain.

If you nevertheless purchased such nursery boxes, then the first thing to do is make holes in them. After all, such containers are completely airtight. Punch holes in both the roof and the sides. In addition, there must be a hole for the drain of valuable liquid.

Old refrigerator

An old refrigerator can be used as a breeding ground. To do this, install it with the door facing up and remove all contents. You don't need it. Punch holes in the walls of the refrigerator and on the door. Place it on the bars so that it is tilted. Do not forget to make a hole in the bottom so that the liquid can drain.

Cardboard boxes

If you are just getting started in this business, and breeding an earthworm is something new for you, then you can use cardboard boxes as breeding grounds. Their dimensions should be about 40 by 30 centimeters or more. Cardboard is an environmentally friendly material that is breathable and is often used as food by worms. The only drawback of such a hotbed is its short service life. If the box is damp and starts to fall apart, then you can place it in another.

Let's reveal the secrets of the worm business

Recently, many have been attracted by the breeding of worms. As a business, this business is quite profitable if you approach it correctly. In order not to burn out, you should know some simple secrets. First of all, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the natural habitat of worms, in what soil they live, what they eat. Their "house" can be roughly divided into three floors. At the top, the worms feed on organic remains of animals and plants.In the lower tier of the habitat, the product of their vital activity accumulates, in another way - humus, as well as liquid, which many call "worm tea". Between these "floors" your pets will feel most comfortable and will mostly be there. It is important to fill the nursery correctly. Then the worms will multiply well and increase your profits.

How to properly fill the nursery

If we consider breeding worms as a business, then first of all, you should carefully study all the nuances of such an activity. Many novice breeders make many mistakes, the first of which is incorrect filling of nurseries. How to do it correctly?

Fill the prepared container halfway with humus. You can mix it with shredded cardboard or pieces of newspaper if you like. Be sure to moisten the finished mixture. However, do this with caution. If, when squeezing a lump, free moisture does not flow out of it, then you did everything right. Don't immediately populate the worms. The filler from the compost will release a substance such as ammonia for the first few days. When it has completely evaporated, you can begin to populate the nursery.

Make a hole in the prepared filler and put some of the soil with the worms into it. Carefully level this place, moisten and cover with a piece of cardboard. Do not disturb the tenants for several days. They must adapt to their new habitat.

If the worms have spread over the nursery, this is the first sign that acclimatization has been successful. Then you can add food. Remember, the place where the worms breed should be calm and quiet. Therefore, install the nursery where there is no strong vibration and noise.

Moistening the soil

You need to moisten the soil of the nursery regularly. However, do not overdo it. Remember, earthworms breathe through the skin. This explains the fact that they creep out to the surface of the soil during rain. They just need it to oxygenate their bodies. If the soil is too wet, your pets will simply die.

What and how to feed?

Breeding earthworms as a business is not expensive. This also applies to their feed. You need to create a bunch of compost. For these purposes, manure, grass, leaves, tea leaves, coffee grounds, flour products, egg shells, vegetable and fruit peelings are perfect. You should not throw the waste products of cats and dogs, manure into the compost heap, if the animals underwent a course of therapy for worms, peeling onions, garlic, citrus peels, fats, oils, dairy products, meat and fish waste.

When the food is ready, lay it in a small layer - 10 centimeters thick. You need to feed the worms every 7 days. You can use a piece of newspaper or regular toilet paper to determine your pets' satiety level. Place it on top of the food and dampen it a little. If the worms start eating this paper, then it's time to feed them and put a new layer of compost.

How worms reproduce

Earthworms can begin to produce offspring at 2–3 months of age. They lay cocoons for 4 months. They ripen within a few weeks. No more than 20 individuals emerge from one such cocoon, which after 2 months already begin to actively reproduce. The exception is the prospector worm, which is more difficult to breed. If you count, then in about six months the number of pets in one box will increase 50 times. Remember, if there are 50 adults per liter of soil, then urgently you need to either sell them or plant them in new nurseries. Otherwise, their reproduction will stop naturally.

How to get profit

Sort the worms every 5 months. To do this, carefully remove the top layer of soil and remove the soil where your pets live from the nursery.Then you can remove the humus layer. Send the small worms back to the nursery and the adults either to expand your business further or to sell.

You can sell the product in the form of bait for fishing, in a pet store as feed. Such a product is in demand by fish farms. You can sell not only invertebrates, but also worm tea and humus. The latest products are in demand among summer residents.

To collect worm tea, you made a hole in the bottom of the nursery and a drain. This product is very valuable as an environmentally friendly and natural fertilizer. As you can see, there are a lot of opportunities to make money on breeding worms. The main thing is to know the right approach.