How to Raise Earthworms Without Them Dying? A Detailed Guide to Breeding Methods

Earthworms live in the soil and have many uses. They can be used for fishing, raising fish, and raising chickens, and can be used as medicine, with effects of clearing heat, calming the liver, relieving asthma, and dredging collaterals. So,how do you raise earthworms without them dying?

1. Build a worm bed

Generally, rice straw is used to build the worm bed. First spread rice straw, then spread feed, then spread rice straw again, repeating this process. Make sure the width of the worm bed is about 50 cm, and there should be an appropriate distance between the worm beds.

2. Stocking earthworms

Choose suitable earthworms, such as Daping No. 2, which are not only relatively large but also have a relatively long lifespan, strong reproductive capacity, and are relatively easy to raise. Put the earthworms on the worm bed, and at the same time wet the worm bed.

3. Feeding

Earthworms are omnivorous animals and feed on decaying organic matter. When raising them, cow dung, pig manure, straw, weeds, etc. can be used as feed. Feed formulas are 100% cow dung, or 50% cow dung, 35% pig manure, and 150% straw, or 50% pig manure and 50% straw/weeds. The feed must be fully fermented and decomposed to avoid causing the earthworms to die. Feed 2-3 times per month, with a thickness of 10 cm each time.

4. Daily management

The optimal temperature for raising earthworms is 20-27°C, and the relative air humidity should be kept at 70%-80%, with ventilation 3-4 times a day for 30 minutes each time. In winter, when the temperature is low, the worm bed can be made thicker, with wheat straw or rice straw covering the bait, then a plastic sheet on top, or a stove can be lit; the stove must have a smoke pipe to prevent gas poisoning. In summer, when the temperature is high, water once a day along with ventilation to cool things down.

5. Harvest in time

When the earthworms reach 15,000 to 20,000 per sq m, the large earthworms should be harvested and divided into piles in time. Earthworms have the habit that the parent and offspring generations do not share the same bed. When the offspring reproduce in large numbers and the density is too high, the old ones will move away and run off, and inbreeding will also cause the earthworm stock to decline. The earthworm stock can be replaced once every 3-4 months, and after harvesting and dividing into piles, feed should be replenished in time.