Vermicompost - Suitable Species

Suitable Species

The earthworm species (or composting worms) most often used are Red Wigglers (Eisenia foetida or Eisenia andrei), but Lumbricus rubellus (a.k.a. red earthworm or dilong (China)) are another breed of worm that can be used but adapt less well to the shallow compost bin than Eisenia. European nightcrawlers (Eisenia hortensis) also may be used. Users refer to European nightcrawlers by a variety of other names, including dendrobaenas, dendras, and Belgian nightcrawlers. Lumbricus terrestris (a.k.a. nightcrawlers (US) or common earthworm (UK)) are not recommended as they burrow deeper than most compost bins can accommodate.

Blueworms (Perionyx excavatus) may be used in the tropics. However, P. excavatus worms are not suitable for worm compost bins in most of the contiguous United States.

These species commonly are found in organic-rich soils throughout Europe and North America and live in rotting vegetation, compost, and manure piles. They may be an invasive species in some areas. As they are shallow-dwelling and feed on decomposing plant matter in the soil, they adapt easily to living on food or plant waste in the confines of a worm bin.

Composting worms are available to order online, from nursery mail-order suppliers or angling (fishing) shops where they are sold as bait. They can also be collected from compost and manure piles. These species are not the same worms that are found in ordinary soil or on pavement when the soil is flooded by water.