Are the worms used in a worm bin the same as earthworms?
When most people think of “earthworms”, they usually mean “nightcrawlers,” which can be 8-10″ long and 1/2″ in diameter. These nightcrawlers are different from red wigglers, although both may be called “earthworms” since they both are found in the earth. Nightcrawlers are soil-dwellers, thus they like to burrow several feet below the surface. By burrowing, the nightcrawlers mix different layers of the soil, while creating tunnels which aerate the soil. On the other hand, red wigglers are surface-dwellers and prefer to live within the top 6″ of the soil (which is why red wigglers prefer shallow boxes as homes). Red wigglers are often found among the fallen leaves of the forest floor, as well as in manure piles. • Can worms bite? Worms do not have teeth, therefore they cannot bite you. Do not be afraid to hold a worm. Most people find that the worms are soft and ticklish. • What is the yellow liquid which the worm releases? The yellow liquid is not urine, which many people first guess. T
