The Best Ways to Get Red Worms

"Your wish is my command" might well serve as the motto for red worms introduced to compost by a home gardener. Commonly called red wigglers, a pound of red worms can munch more than 3 lbs. of kitchen scraps a week, working 24/7 to create worm manure--pure gold to gardens for its high mineral and wholesome bacteria content. You can obtain red wigglers commercially several different ways, depending on your budget.

  1. Free Sources

    • If you are lucky, you can find red wigglers for free under leaf litter or rotting lumber. Even more likely, if you have access to a stable or ranch, is to find them in aging horse manure. Look for dark red worms about 3 to 4 inches long that wiggle violently when picked up. See the photo in the article "'Wild' Red Wiggler Worms" in the Resources section to get an idea of what to look for. Place them in a clean margarine tub with some moistened peat moss and a lid to bring to your worm bin. 

      Another free source could be a worm bin hobbyist who would agree to give you a pound of worms either with no strings attached or with an understanding that you will lend back surplus worms if her worm bin ever "crashes." Worm bins may crash if you alter the worms' routine, especially by overfeeding, and they flee or begin to die.

    Commercial Orders

    • You will likely need to order your worms by telephone or online if you can't locate an existing worm bin owner or don't have access to a stable. See FindWorms.com in the Resources to track down a commercial worm farm in your state or one nearby so your worms don't travel farther than they have to. The vendor will likely ship the worms to you on a Monday or Tuesday by Priority Mail two- to three-day service, so that they arrive Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. 


      Be prepared to take delivery of the worms directly from your letter carrier. They are living creatures and while hardy may not survive extra time in hot or too cold delivery vehicles. Remove the worms from the mesh bag they are shipped in and place them gently in their prepared worm bin. They'll need a little spritz of dechlorinated water and will appreciate week-old, molding food as a first meal.
      You may be able to find red wigglers in your home town as well. Search on Craigslist.org for "compost worms" or "Eisenia fetida" in the "Farm &Garden" section.

    Cautions

    • Worms in small tubs at bait shops may not be red wigglers and, at about a dozen per cup, do not provide enough quantity for your worm colony to establish. Worms found on the sidewalk after it rains may be nightcrawlers (dew worms), deep burrowing worms that would be very unhappy in a worm bin, which is more suited to leaf litter dwellers such as red wigglers.