Which worm is better for composting Eisenia Foetida or Lumbricus Rubellus?

Answer 1

Eisenia fetida. is the best choice. L. rubellus is invasive and is threatening North American Forests. Quoting from: Invasive Earthworms—A Threat to North American Forests Plants & Gardens News | Volume 19, Number 1 | Spring 2004 by Niall Dunne http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/essays/2004su_worms.html "In 2002, Michael Gundale of Michigan Technological University published a report detailing how the epigeic bait and compost worm Lumbricus rubellus may be wiping out populations of the rare goblin fern, Botrychium mormo, and possibly other rare native plants too, in the Chippewa National Forest. Gundale credits the epigeic worm's destruction of mycorrhizal fungi in the soil as a reason for the goblin fern's decline. "John C. Maerz and colleagues from Cornell University have found strong evidence linking salamander decline in the hardwood forests of central New York and southeastern Pennsylvania to invasions by L. rubellus and Asian Amynthas species, among others. ..." "... With invasive earthworms wriggling amok in our forest soils, gardeners who use worms to decompose kitchen scraps and plant waste may want to take a closer look at what they’ve got growing in their compost piles. Some of the traits that make worms ideal for vermicomposting—such as high reproductive rate and adaptability—may also make them potentially successful invaders. "The worm predominantly sold for composting is the red wiggler or red tiger worm, Eisenia fetida. It has a rusty brown color with alternating yellow and maroon bands down the length of its body; a pigmentless membrane separates each segment. It grows up to three inches long and is highly prolific. Though the worm has established itself in the wild here, so far it has not been identified as a problem species. "Another popular compost species, the red worm, Lumbricus rubellus, is causing trouble, however, and should be avoided. It also grows up to three inches long and has a history of being confused with E. fetida. This worm is dark red to maroon, has a light yellow underside, and lacks striping between segments. "In The Earth Moved (Algonquin Books, 2004), a wonderful new book on earthworms by Amy Stewart, forest ecologist Cindy Hale advises worm composters to freeze their castings in air-tight bags for a least a week before adding them to garden soil, no matter what worms species they use. "It won't hurt the soil microbes, but it will kill all the worms.""

Answer 2

The best worm for composting is the Eisenia Foetida(sometimes spelled without the e) also known as the Red Wiggler. The other alternative would be the Lubricus Rubellus, however, that worm is invasive. These two worms, in fact, hardly ever live in soil; usually they reside in rotting plants, compost piles, etc. They are a type of earthworm, too, so completely friendly.

Answer 3

A worm composter, or worm farm, is used to break down organic matter quickly and efficiently. Worms are kept in a free draining container (commercially available or an old bath for example) and are fed scraps from the kitchen, news paper, green clippings other than woody products, animal manure and such organic material. The worms eat the substances and produce castings or worm poo. This is an exellent soil conditioner as it has many nutrients and natural plant foods which are immediately available to the plant. The liquid which drains out of the container is also highly nutricious foer plants and can be diluted and watered onto plants for organic suppliment in the way of fertiliser. The product harvested from a worm composter is similar in nutrient composition to other composted material but is achieved more quickly with the benefit of liquid fertiliser and a hobby or farming activity for kids of any age.

Answer 4

It depends on the amount of household waste you want to compost. Red wiggler worms eat half their body weight each day. If you want to compost 1 pound of waste-you would need 2 pounds of worms.

Answer 5

Red worms are used for vermicomposting

Answer 6

The best worms to use are red wigglers