Comments on: European Nightcrawlers – Eisenia hortensis

By: Bentley

Bentley — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:18:42 +0000

DAN – very sorry for the lengthy delay. They should be able to tolerate temps close to (or even at) the freezing mark. BUT it’s important to realize that growth, reproduction, composting ability etc will slow down a great deal at lower temps. To fatten them up you might try something like “chicken laying mash” (or general poultry feed) containing a decent protein content. Manures seems to work well also.
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ROB – The only thing I can imagine is some sort of nitrogen poisoning due to the fresh sheep manure. Try aging it first before adding it

By: rob gilmore

rob gilmore — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:48:37 +0000

i have a problem with my enc a few puff up as thick as your little fingerthen die . they are in old horse manure mixed with peat moss with a ph of 6.5 and ifeed them fresh sheep manure on top and they are covered with a sheet of card board.there are aprox 100 to 2sq ft can you help me please.

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:31:37 +0000

How cold can they survive. They are in a storage building and no heat. there home is 2′ by 3′ bins card board bedding and coffee grounds. Also what do you feed them for the increased size.

By: Bentley

Bentley — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:09:22 +0000

Well thanks, T Money! I appreciate the kind words, and am always happy to hear that I have helped someone with their vermicomposting efforts!

By: T Money

T Money — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:16:52 +0000

hi,

i have been looking at thi s site for a reference for quite some time, even before i started my worm bin. you have given me so much help with my bin. My worms are breeding and they all wiggle in my hands. i have european nightcrawler by the way not red wigglers. i wanted to know how to fatten up worms but they got fat by themselves. i think it was because of and w/your help my worm bin is a succes.

Thanks, T Money

By: Jonny

Jonny — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:21:47 +0000

Hi Bentley,

I’m new to this, and I’ve been hoping to breed Euros, but where i live, there are very few if any euros that i can seem to find. I find lotss of other kinds of worms idk what any of them really are though. I was wondering if you had any suggestions to breeding them as rapidly as possible. or if i could be able to find more where i live. the soil is sand and clay and dirt of course.

Thanks, Jonny

By: Bentley

Bentley — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:54:10 +0000

Hi Steve,
I have yet to be successful breeding Euros on a large scale. They are definitely not as fast to grow and reproduce as Red Worms are. I will be working closely with them this winter to see how quickly I can increase my population, and will certainly write more about that.

You should have success with them, having access to all that manure. Just make sure there aren’t naturally occurring Red Worms in there since they may end up outcompeting your Euros.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 07:07:12 +0000

Hi Bentley,

I enjoy your postings a lot. I live in British Columbia, Canada right next to a horse farm. I have access to all of the horse and turkey manure that I want and would like to try and grow Euro’s commercially. Were you sucessful at breeding your Euro’s? I would like to learn from your experiences. Please contact me on my email address to discuss further.

Thanks,

Steve

By: Bentley

Bentley — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:57:10 +0000

Hi Leo,
It’s actually my image (I am owner of this site – Jeff is a friend), but you are more than welcome to use it with proper credit given. I will send you an email.

Thanks

Bentley

By: Leo Brooks

Leo Brooks — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:45:54 +0000

Hello Jeff,

Love the picture showing the two types of worms. Any chance we could use it on our website (with credit to you of course).

Thanks,

Leo, Pat And Mark
http://www.wormsatwork.com