Are you looking for the best worms to add to your compost pile? If so, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we will discuss the best composting worms and how they can help improve your soil. We will also go over some tips on how to properly care for your worms and ensure their health and safety while in the compost pile.
After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of which type of worm is best suited for composting and why these wiggly friends are important for healthy soil. So let’s get started!
What are the Best Vermicomposting Worms
While there are many species of earthworms, only a few are good for composting. In the US there are four readily available on the market. Below, we’ll take a look at four of the top vermicomposting worms and discuss their benefits and drawbacks so you can make an informed decision when selecting your own composting worm species. So let’s get started!
Types of Composting Worms
The four best worms for composting we will be covering are red wigglers, African nightcrawlers, Indian blue worms, and European nightcrawlers.
- Red Wiggler
- African Nightcrawler
- Indian blue worm
- European Nightcrawler
Red Wiggler
Red Wigglers (Eisenia fetida) are a type of earthworm that are commonly used and are considered one of the best composting worms. They are the most common and readily available. Red Wigglers are hardy and probably the most resilient. Red Wigglers prefer temperatures between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5-26.6 degrees Celsius). These little wiggly friends are commonly found amongst vermicompost bins worldwide.
Red Wigglers are small, reddish brown worms with pale yellow bands along their sides. They have a short bristly tail, which distinguishes them from other species of earthworms. The average size of an adult red wiggler is about 2 inches long, but some specimens can reach up to 4 inches in length!
You can find and purchase Red Wigglers here
African Nightcrawler
African Nightcrawlers (Eudrilus eugeniae) are a type of earthworm native to Africa, but have been introduced in many other parts of the world. They are well-suited for composting due to their large size, hardiness and ability to process large amounts of organic matter quickly. African Nightcrawlers grow up to 5 inches long (sometimes longer)!
African Nightcrawlers prefer warm temperatures between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit (24-29 degrees Celsius). They also enjoy high levels of moisture in the soil, so be sure to keep your compost pile damp while they are living in it.
These worms are blackish brown with reddish brown stripes along their sides and have an orange head.
You can find and purchase African Nightcrawlers here
Indian Blue Worm
Indian Blue Worms (Perionychium Armatum) are a type of earthworm native to India, but have also been found in Southeast Asia. These worms are popular for their ability to quickly break down organic matter and create nutrient-rich soil. They are small worms compared to other composting species, usually growing only up to 1 inch in length.
Indian Blue Worms have an overall blueish-green hue with dark stripes running along the sides of their bodies. They have a short bristly tail which distinguishes them from other species of earthworms. These small wrigglers prefer warm, moist conditions in order to thrive; the best temperatures for them range between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit (16-27 degrees Celsius).
European Nightcrawler
The European Nightcrawler (Eisenia hortensis) is a species of earthworm that is well-suited for composting due to its hardiness and ability to quickly process large amounts of organic matter. These worms are native to Europe, but have since spread throughout the world.
European Nightcrawlers are somewhat larger than Red Wigglers, usually growing up to 4 inches in length. They are reddish-brown with pale yellow stripes along their sides and a short bristly tail. These wrigglers prefer temperatures ranging from 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit (16-27 degrees Celsius). They also enjoy higher levels of humidity in the soil, so it’s important to keep their environment moist while they are living in it.
You can find and purchase European Nightcrawlers here
My Recommended Pick
If I had to choose from the composting worms discussed, the red wiggler would be my top choice for THE best composting worm. Not only is it resilient, but it can also survive the widest range of temperatures compared to some of the ones listed above.
In addition, it’s probably the easiest to find and tends to be the most affordable.
You can purchase locally, or simply order online from the link below
You can find and purchase Red Wigglers here
David, the founder of The Garden Fixer, started with a passion for gardening in 2012. He has continued his passion for gardening and desire to improve his skills and wanted to share his journey and helpful knowledge with other like-minded individuals.
He launched The Garden Fixer as an outlet for those interested in learning more about Gardening in hopes they can take what they learn and apply it for themselves!
