Comments on: I’ve Got White Worms!

By: Donna

Donna — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 18:49:00 +0000

Thanks Bentley! I am coming to that conclusion (likely a smaller earthworm). My betta doesn’t like eating them (a bit too wiggly as they are slightly bigger and also stronger) and my guess is that they give off a smell or taste that is aversive to him. He is interested at first, pecks at them and swims away. He will eat actual white worms no problem.
They do seem to be doing well in the bin I have put several of them in. They just like being lower in the soil. Maybe the Corydoras I am getting will like them. LOL!

By: Bentley

Bentley — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 16:44:29 +0000

Hi Donna – white worms are pretty distinct, parimarily because of just how white they tend to be. Anything with reddish/pinkish is almost certainly some form of more typical earthworm. And if turning up in rain water I would guess they are a regular soil worm of some sort (don’t tend to work well for culturing).

By: Donna

Donna — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 07:46:27 +0000

What other species might white worms be confused for? I have a slightly larger worm (about 2 inches stretched out) that is mostly white but has a reddish/pinkish tinge to the front end as they get larger. They are found not in my compost but in shallow pails after a rain. They often stay there for a few days and eventually drown. I tried culturing them like white worms (I have tropical fish) but they were not attracted to bread or milk and instead moved loosely through the compost material I placed in the bin for them. They look very similar. Thanks!

By: Bentley

Bentley — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 14:24:16 +0000

Assuming they are indeed white worms, this is actually something you should be happy about, Shani! These worms will only be present in very rich habitats – so that is likely a good sign for your soil and plants.
😎

By: Shani77

Shani77 — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 10:56:14 +0000

I went to my garden after a heavy rain and found a lot of what i believe are pot worms. I literally freaked out as I’ve never heard of them and have been working my garden for at least 10 years. What do i do?

By: Bentley

Bentley — Fri, 11 May 2018 22:52:49 +0000

Hey Allen
Unfortunately I don’t sell them but I bet you could start your own culture if you just collected some rotting leaf litter from a local forest floor, put it in a bin and added some starchy waste materials (this kinda makes me want to try this as an experiment now – haha)
I was under the impression what cultures of white worms were widely available, though.

By: Allen

Allen — Mon, 07 May 2018 01:47:14 +0000

Years ago I was able to find enchytraeidae (white worms) that I could culture and feed to my marine fish. Do you happen to sell these? I’d like to start another culture of them. I now have very small marine fish that these would be ideal for. If you don’t sell them to you have anything that is the equivalent that I can raise? Do you know any invert breeders that sell them if you don’t?

I’d appreciate any help you can give me … thank you.

By: Bentley

Bentley — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 20:54:32 +0000

That makes sense! Starchy stuff can really boost populations of both white worms and springtails.

By: Poojitha

Poojitha — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 03:45:00 +0000

Thank you! I got that idea of containing it. But by the time I could find a container I’m so happy to see the worms have stopped, may be for now. I guess the difference is when I stopped putting too much starchy stuff. But I think generally I should put the composter in a container.

By: Bentley

Bentley — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 21:39:15 +0000

Hi Poojitha
My guess is that you might be talking about springtails. Either way, it’s important to remember that these are creatures designed for life in a moist, dark environment. They certainly won’t cause any harm in the house. If you can put the composter inside of a larger bin that should help to keep them contained.