What Are Red Wiggler Worms?

Of the 4,000 species of earthworms, one stands out as best for home composting. The natural habitat of the little red wiggler, Eisenia fetida, includes rotting organic matter lying near the soil surface. Thus, it adapts well to the shallow boxes used for worm bins and to a varied diet of kitchen scraps.

  1. Identification

    • Red wiggler worms usually measure 2 to 3 inches long and appear dark red in color. Juveniles are slender and about an inch long.

    Habitat

    • Red wigglers prefer to live within the top 6 inches of the soil. They make their homes in forest leaf litter, compost and manure piles and near fallen logs. They do not live in typical garden or farm soil.

    Geography

    • Native to Europe, red wigglers today are global in distribution.

    Benefits

    • Red wigglers break down compost and create castings. Like other earthworms, they increase the rate of soil formation and nutrient cycling.

    Expert Insight

    • "This species tends not to burrow deeply into soil, partly because they consume material high in organic content, such as decaying vegetation and dung (hence the name compost worm), which are usually near the surface."--Biology Department, Davison University

    Fun Fact

    • Red wigglers release a yellow liquid when stressed by handling or light. It's actually coelomic fluid, not urine.