How to Raise Earthworms: Breeding Methods and Soil Selection Tips
SummaryPrepare boxes and baskets: boxes and baskets can be made from bamboo, twigs, rattan, wood, plastic, etc. Material in the box: relatively loose garden soil can be used, or garden soil mixed with some sawdust for breeding. Stocking earthworms: select high-quality earthworms and place them in the box or basket. Feeding: the suitable breeding temperature is 20-27°C, humidity needs to be kept at 70%-80%, ventilation is carried out 3-4 times a day, and when the earthworms grow to commercial specifications, the large earthworms can be caught.
1. Prepare boxes and baskets
Boxes and baskets can be made from bamboo, twigs, rattan, wood, plastic, etc., with specifications of 60cm*30cm*20cm, or 60cm*40cm*20cm, or 60cm*50cm*20cm, or 60cm*20cm*30cm, or 60cm*40cm*30cm. The bottom and sides of the box or basket need small drainage and ventilation holes.
2. Material in the box
Do not put too much material in the box; too much is not good for ventilation. The stacking height is 16cm. This height will not dry out the feed and is also good for the growth and reproduction of earthworms. Generally, relatively loose garden soil can be used, or garden soil mixed with some sawdust, or shredded and water-soaked horse manure paper or straw board paper mixed with garden soil for breeding.
3. Stocking earthworms
Select high-quality earthworms and place them in the box or basket, such as Daping No. 2, which is not only very large in size, but also has a relatively long lifespan, strong reproductive capacity, and is easy to raise.
4. Feeding
Earthworms are omnivorous animals and mainly feed on decaying organic matter. Therefore, when breeding them, pig manure, cow manure, straw, weeds, etc. can be used as feed. The feed formulas are 100% cow manure, or 35% pig manure, 50% cow manure, and 150% straw, or 50% straw/weeds and 50% pig manure. The feed needs to be fully fermented and decomposed to avoid causing the death of earthworms.
5. Daily management
The optimal breeding temperature for earthworms is 20-27°C, the relative air humidity needs to be kept at 70%-80%, and ventilation is needed 3-4 times a day for 30 minutes each time. When the earthworms grow to commercial specifications, the large earthworms can be caught.
6. Catching earthworms
1. Water flooding catching method: earthworms are relatively afraid of standing water, so the flooding method can be used to make the earthworms come out of their holes before catching them, or they can also be caught in paddy fields during spring plowing.
2. Material pile trapping method: place already fermented and thoroughly decomposed feed in the place where earthworms are to be trapped, such as field edges and vegetable gardens. The stacking height is 30-40cm, the width is 40-50cm, and the length is unlimited. Generally, after 3-5 days of stacking, earthworms will gather. If 50% soil is added and mixed for fermentation as feed, the trapping effect will be even better.
3. Digging method: a soil-turning harrow can be used to dig the soil and catch earthworms. The method is relatively simple, but the effect is poor. This method is suitable for small-scale breeding.
4. Chemical catching method: 7L/m2 of 15% potassium permanganate solution, or 13.7 L/m2 of 0.55% formaldehyde solution can be sprinkled on the place where earthworms are collected. The earthworms will slowly crawl up to the ground surface, making catching more convenient at this time.