What are red worms?

Red compost worms are normally Red Wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida), also affectionately known as red worms, panfish worms, or trout worms. The larger variety of red composting worm is the European Nightcrawler (Eisenia Hortensis), also known as super reds. They prefer it a little cooler and like to dive deeper into their bedding.

The Red Wigglers are more suited to being placed directly in the warm living area, whereas the European Nightcrawlers would prefer a cool corner of the basement. 

Both of these composting worms also make excellent fishing bait! The European Nightcrawlers are large and lively and better bait overall for Walleye and bass, but the Red Wiggler is superior for trout fishing in rivers and for bluegill in ponds.

Not only does maintaining a population of red worms entertain and education children, it also makes sense for successful adulting; it reduces our household (or commercial) costs by reducing the total volume of waste each week. With a worm bin you have a machine that can dispose of your vegetable scraps, egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, paper bags, coffee cup sleeves as well as that crumpled up shipping paper and those next day delivery cardboard boxes. Those thin and flimsy next day delivery boxes are a red compost worms favourite treat! 

Vermicomposting is so simple, you can literally start with nothing more than a red worm starter population and a couple small rubbermaid bins (preferably stackable).