Usually earthworms are sold along with compost. The seller must definitely find out what the worms were fed with. Approximately the same top dressing should be given to them for quite a long time after purchase. The fact is that adult earthworms are extremely conservative in food, and no tricks can force them to eat new food - they would rather die or crawl away in search of familiar food.
Only baby worms that have hatched from cocoons begin to eat new food.
Many people recommend that you start breeding earthworms only from cocoons, which is complete nonsense, do not pay attention to such advice. Although the worm is not a highly developed animal, it also takes care of its offspring by placing a cocoon in a certain shell with food. And if you choose only cocoons, then all natural connections with the natural environment of their content are violated, and such cocoons are doomed to death.
So that the contents in the boxes do not overheat and do not dry out, it is better to place them in the shade of buildings or trees. A prerequisite for keeping worms is the constant moisture content of the compost. Normal moisture is considered when a few drops of liquid drain from the compost, clenched into a fist. But it is also undesirable to flood the compost heavily - putrefactive processes will begin in it, toxic gases (methane, ethylene, ammonia) will be released.
Earthworms, however, can withstand a full flood of water for a long time. One of the methods for the complete collection of worms from plastic bags or films is based on this feature.
You just need to lower this bag or film into any container with water and shake it, then all the earthworms will be at the bottom. It remains only to drain the water and place the worms in the right place.
Earthworm food can be fed continuously (12-15 cm layer), or once every 7-10 days.
The favorite food of earthworms is nitrogen- and cellulose-containing foods. You also need to gradually accustom the worms to softened paper, to old rags made of cotton or linen, to burnt (fermented) manure, to half-rotted leaves. In the future, worms will consume this food in large quantities.
Remember that in the composition of food for earthworms, nitrogen should prevail over other substances: in a nitrogen-rich substrate, the growth rate and fertility of worms increase dramatically. A source of nitrogen, for example, can be peeling potatoes and other vegetables that need to be chopped in a meat grinder (after all, worms have no teeth :), mowed grass. To feed the worms, I boil potato peels; all winter I collect potato peelings in plastic bags and keep them in the cold (this is the same as boiling them). Potato peels are best mixed with half-rotted straw or fallen leaves - for better aeration, and so that the worms can freely approach the food.
Due to the large crowding of worms, their fertility decreases. There should not be more than 70,000 worms per square meter of area.
Cleanings from raw vegetables, especially potatoes, must be thoroughly crushed (turned through a meat grinder), otherwise they will not be processed.
Perfectly processed:
- banana skins;
- citrus peel;
- apple cores;
- sleeping tea and coffee grounds;
- moldy bread, bread crusts and rolls;
- leftover cereals, pieces of cheese;
- rotten tomatoes, apples and other vegetable waste.
- You can feed the worms with grass and leaves. Meat scraps to feed the worms Not recommended.
How to feed regularly?
When you have containers, feeding intervals are 1, 5 - 2 months, i.e. We feed when we charge the container. In single containers we give a little after 2-3 days, trying to feed so that the unprocessed subtract does not accumulate.
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Breeding the red Californian worm (KKCh) at home is a very profitable occupation, because the food for the KKCh is any organic waste that is processed by the worm into a balanced environmentally friendly biohumus fertilizer. Also, the Californian worm multiplies very quickly, which allows the worm to be sold biomass and by the piece to fishermen's shops and agricultural enterprises, as protein supplements for animals and birds.
The best type of earthworm for breeding in domestic and industrial conditions is the red California worm. Before buying worms, please note that the worms must be mobile and red in color. At first, the worm should be in its native substrate in order to get used to the new food.
A high-quality breeding stock of the red California worm (family) should consist of at least 1500 individuals.
For breeding at home, the California worm is used in boxes, piles (lodges), compost heaps or pits. Organic waste is used as food for worms: manure, bird droppings, plant tops, fallen leaves, straw, wood chips, sawdust, food vegetable waste, cardboard, paper, etc.
The basic rules for preparing the substrate (compost) for the further colonization of worms:
- do not use chlorinated water to moisten the compost.
Chlorine is poison for worms. If the water is chlorinated, you need to stand it for 2-3 days, the chlorine will go away, you can also use rainwater
- it is forbidden to use fresh manure, because in the process of manure burning, its temperature will rise to 70-800C and the worm will die
- it is not recommended to use old manure that has lain for more than 3 years, it contains a small amount of useful substances for worms.
Organic waste is collected in heaps and moistened. In this way, they rot for 1-3 months.
Compost pile dimensions:
- collar width 1.2-2 meters
- height 20-30 cm
- any length.
The California worm easily gets used to different feeds, therefore, when using different composts, we recommend doing a trial colonization. A little ready-made substrate is placed in the box and 50-100 adult worms are populated. If in a day they are all alive, then the compost is suitable for further settlement. If 5-10 worms died, then the reason for this may be increased acidity or alkalinity.
With increased acidity, add a little limestone or ordinary chalk, with increased alkalinity, add straw or sawdust to the compost, you can also add tops of plants.
Favorable conditions for breeding the California worm:
- acidity 6.5-7.5 PH
- temperature 15-220C
- compost humidity 70-80%.
Breeding of Californian worms at home begins in the warm season, the worm is settled in compost, 1-3 families per 1 m2, and after a couple of months they begin to select worms that have already multiplied. The worm is chosen in this way: the worm is not fed for 2-3 days, so that they get a little hungry, and then 7-10 cm of fresh compost are placed on top of the heap or box, and this layer is removed in a day. The main amount of worms, up to 60-80%, enters the fresh compost. Only the juveniles and cocoons of the worm remain in the lower substrate. We repeat the procedure for sampling worms several times. It is not possible to select all the worms in this way, 3-4% remains in the processed compost, which is already a fertilizer - vermicompost. Worms selected in this way are populated in new heaps, boxes, or used for sale.
With the onset of winter and temperatures below -50C, the piles must be well insulated. To do this, fresh compost or fermented manure 25-40 cm thick is laid on the piles, watered and covered with hay or straw 40-50 cm high. The top layer of 5-10 cm will probably freeze in winter, but it will not pose a mortal danger to worms, since it is a heat insulator. In the spring, the worms will feed on the top layer compost, 2/3 of your heap will already be biohumus.
Among all the types of earthworms that exist in the world, only a few can be bred in artificial conditions.
But the most versatile in their characteristics and the most economically attractive are the worms belonging to the species "Red worms".
The red earthworm usually has the commercial name "California", since it was in the state of California in the United States of America that its intensive cultivation began in the fifties of the last century. Among the various species obtained as a result of various selections, the red worm obtained by the American Barrett, as a result of the selection of the common dung worm, is widespread and successfully reproduced.
What does the California red worm look like?
Red California worm - dark red (brown-red with purple-pearl tones), the body of the worm is elongated, cylindrical, flattened from the side of the abdomen and divided into segments, each of which has two bristles on each side. Cultivated individuals are 6 to 9 cm long and 3 to 5 mm thick. The weight of an adult worm is in the range of 0.2-1.0 g. Body temperature 19-20°C.
The California worm is very prolific, and its life expectancy is 4 times the life expectancy of the "wild" earthworm.
Different lifespan and fecundity of the forest earthworm and red Californian worm.
The lifespan of the California red worm is about 16 years, during which it regularly copulates every 7 days, starting from the 90th day of life, if the litter has an acceptable temperature for it.
The California worm is hermaphrodite (bisexual) and cannot self-fertilize. However, as a result of cross-fertilization of two earthworms, two eggs or capsules are formed, one for each individual, which mature and open after 14-21 days, depending on the temperature of the habitat of the worms in the litter. Each capsule or cocoon contains between 2 and 20 worms, and on average 7 young worms are born from each individual of the common earthworm in the climatic conditions of southern Europe.
The number of young worms depends very much on the temperature outside the cocoon in the habitat, however, it can be simplified to say that the sexual activity of this worm decreases in the cold months and reaches a maximum fecundity in the temperate season and decreases again in especially hot months.
Temperature conditions for cultivation of the Californian worm
It should be emphasized that one of the main concerns of the beginner worm breeder is to maintain a constant bed temperature. Optimal conditions, i.e. humus production and sexual activity, are achieved at a bed temperature of 19 to 20 °C.
The California worm is afraid of both excessive cold (0 ° C) and too much heat (over 42 ° C), so measures must be taken to protect it from adverse climatic conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages
The California red worm reaches sexual maturity at the age of three months, when it can be considered fully mature. Two individuals of an earthworm per year can produce an average of 1500 young worms under fairly normal conditions of a temperate climate.
Thus, one pair annually produces 3,000 young worms in five generations.
This pair, grown in an optimal environment with a constant average temperature, constant and controlled humidity, the presence of acceptable food and sufficient water, can produce 7 to 10 young worms per capsule and up to 20-21 young worms when bred in a greenhouse.
From the usual earthworm, the Californian worm is distinguished by a higher vital activity and the ability to process food faster and more completely.
As a result of processing one ton of substrate, about 600 kg biohumus, a increase in biomass of worms - is 100 kg.
As noted above, the only drawback of the Californian worm is that it is too thermophilic. He has a weakened self-preservation instinct at low temperatures and therefore, when the habitat is cooled, the Californian worm does not go deep into the ground to the freezing depth, but gathers in one place in large quantities and freezes safely. So if you are going to breed this type of worm, you should take care of good a worm hive with a positive temperature in winter, or you will have to warm the piles well when grown outdoors.
There are a huge number of types of worms, but few are able to reproduce and live in artificial conditions. Economically attractive and universal in their biological characteristics are worms that belong to the "red" species. They are used as an excellent bait for fishing, production of biohumus, liquid fertilizers and protein meal. Why do some earthworms have the commercial name "California"? There is a pretty simple answer to this. In the United States of America in the 50s of the 20th century, intensive cultivation of this worm began, from which its commercial name came. It was obtained as a result of the long work of the American Thomas Jason Barrett (Thomas J. Barrett, 1884 - 1975). He is the founder of industrial vermicultivation in the USA. The progenitor of the Californian worm and prospector is a common dung worm. In the USA, this technologically acceptable worm species served as the basis for breeding work, during which the California red worm was bred in 1959. Unlike its original wild predecessors, it has the ability to breed in ground vegetable garden type cultivators without any buildings or greenhouses in the Californian climate and produces 18 to 26 times reproduction per outdoor cultivation cycle and 512 times reproduction in closed greenhouse conditions, then as wild relatives give only 4 - 6-fold reproduction. It has been established that the worm consumes the amount of compost (substrate) per day equal to its own weight. This is the initial norm for feeding the cultivated worm population.
The fifth general biological feature of the cultivation of biological objects is the population density limit, upon reaching which the population stops its development. This also applies to cultivated worms. It has been established that the optimal “sowing dose” when populating a cultivator with a substrate with worms is their biomass of 0.3 kg/m2 (1500 individuals). During the cultivation cycle (160 ± 20 days), the population increases in the number of individuals and biomass by an average of 50 times (under other optimal conditions). An increase in the “seeding dose” at the end of the cultivation cycle leads to an overpopulation of the population, and the individuals become small, the total yield of the worm biomass decreases. After adaptation (adaptation) to new conditions, all the activity of the worms will be directed to the laying of cocoons (capsules, half the size of a lemon-like rice grain, yellow, with a soft but strong shell). Each cocoon contains from 3 to 21 embryos. Each worm lays one cocoon every 5-7 days for 12-18 weeks. After 15–20 days (depending on the temperature of the substrate), small newborn worms appear from the deposited cocoons, thin as threads, about 4–6 mm long, with a red, clearly visible spinal blood vessel. This is their distinguishing feature from the nematode - small white worms that do not have a red blood vessel. Worms grow up quickly and in 10-12 weeks increase their weight from 1 to 250-500 mg. The last cocoons are laid by worms at the end of July, and the last worms are born before the end of August. Worms grow up quickly and in the vast majority become fully grown by October. During the summer season, the number of worms and their total live weight in the cultivator increases by 20-50 times. They require a lot of food to reproduce and grow. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically add food in the form of compost to the worm bed (cultivator bed), layering it 15–20 cm every 2–3 weeks, starting from the first days of June.
The last feeding of the worms must be carried out at the end of October or even at the beginning of November before the onset of frost. When the temperature drops, the worms reduce their activity: their movements slow down, at a temperature of 6 ° C the worms stop eating, and at 4 ° C they release their digestive tract from food debris and begin to fall into a state of anabiosis (winter “hibernation”). With the onset of frost, they freeze. But it is not dangerous for them. They survived all the ice ages. With the onset of spring, they come to life and begin a new active period of their lives. During the summer cultivation it is necessary to make 7 - 8 layers of composts. As they are eaten by worms, they are compacted, but still the cultivator bed is getting higher and higher. Its height in autumn can reach 0.6 m. It is easily blown by the wind, it is more difficult to maintain the necessary humidity in it. Based on this, it is recommended to seal its side surfaces with boards (in the form of a box). During cultivation during the summer period in the wormhole, more than 1 ton of compost (50% moisture) will be processed with the help of worms per square meter of its area. By autumn, worms are located in the cultivator mainly in the upper (food) layer, while the lower layer is poorly populated by worms - it is used by them as a “sanitary block” for defecation. The thickness of the upper layer is about 20 cm. The lower layer consists mainly of coprolites and is a humic organic fertilizer (biohumus, worm compost), raw and in need of work. This is the product for which the cultivation of worms is carried out.
The main "advantages" of this worm: it multiplies rapidly (up to 1500 offspring from one individual per year), the tendency to "vagrancy" is lost (other species of the worm can simply escape from places of cultivation in search of food and sex), a long-liver (they say it lives up to 16 years ). The main disadvantages for Russia: perhaps only one disadvantage is the lack of self-preservation instinct at low temperatures. When the habitat cools, this worm does not go deep into the ground to the freezing depth, but gathers in one place in large quantities and freezes safely.
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Conditions for the preservation of worms in the soil
There are many, many worms in the resulting humus fertilizer. When humus is introduced into the soil for vegetable and berry crops, the worms will die. Very, very few individuals will survive from a population of worms. These few, as well as the revived cocoons of worms that have fallen into the soil, will give rise to a population of worms that can live in the soil of a vegetable garden, orchard, or potato field. Only in this way will it be necessary to populate the soil of vast fields with worms, on which, with the help of chemistry, all animals - producers of humus - were killed and destroyed. This process is complex and long, but necessary, despite the enormous costs. On garden plots - it's easier and cheaper, as a rule there are worms here. Efforts should be aimed at maintaining their livelihoods, providing them with food (root, crop residues, creating composts from grasses and other organic residues) and water. The best conditions are created for them in the raspberries, since the earth here must be mulched with a thick layer of chopped straw, chaff, tree leaves, hay, etc. Under the mulch, the earth is always damp, there is a lot of food for worms and the conditions for their habitat are quite satisfactory. The berries in such a raspberry are large, juicy, bright, sweet. In a word, delight. Worms must be protected, protected, looked after. But not everyone knows how to do it. Many saw cut worms when digging their site. It is a misconception that a cut worm becomes two or more. No and no again.
Hence the first condition: do not dig up the earth with a shovel, but only with special pitchforks. The design of such a pitchfork and a description of how to make them are given in the magazine "The New Farmer" for 1991, March-April, p. 48. The photo shows how to use them right there. Many American farmers believe that organic farming also requires "organic" (appropriate) tools. One cannot but agree with this.
The second condition: overcompaction of the soil destroys the worms. It should be loose, soft and make it so worms. The third condition: the concentration of soluble salts over 0.5% destroys the worms. Many are addicted to using ash as a means of controlling soil pests. This infatuation is wrong. Use ashes only in a weak solution (1 cup of ash per 10 liters of water) and only to moisten the compost heap. Ash is a caustic alkali. It is detrimental to worms in high concentrations. The fourth condition: the acid-base balance of the soil must be neutral: pH = 7 (± 0.5) Too much acidification of the soil (pH = 6) and too much alkalinity of the soil (pH = 8) are detrimental to worms. To equalize the acid-base balance of the soil, it is necessary to add gypsum (or calcium carbonate - chalk, or lime, or dolomite flour) to it. To test the soil, special devices or ordinary litmus paper are used. They can be purchased at chemical fertilizer stores, gardening equipment, and household stores. This is also done in agrochemical laboratories where soil analysis is carried out. Fifth condition: do not burn garbage in the garden. At the site of the fire, worms die from overheating of the soil, smoke and ash. Then worms do not appear for a long time at the site of the fire, and the earth becomes denser, it is also depleted in organic matter and humus. For more than two years, even grass has not appeared on the site of the fire. Burning (burning dry grass, plant stems, etc.) is a very stupid, anti-environmental measure - fire is always unnatural on the surface of the earth. It drastically reduces soil productivity. Everyone should know this - from young to old. The sixth condition: it is necessary to maintain a sufficiently high soil moisture. This concept is relative and conditional. When the soil moisture is less than 30%, the worms are very thirsty and can die within a week. But this is in the laboratory. Under natural conditions, worms tend to go into the depths of the soil, where it is more humid, and lie there in suspended animation until the humidity level rises. Worms are not afraid of flooding and survive in the soil of water meadows during high water for many days and even weeks.
earthworm pests
Earthworms have a lot of enemies. The most dangerous of them are birds, moles, shrews, rats, toads, frogs; from large animals - wild boars, pigs, badgers and even calves, lambs, kids.
The most significant destruction of worms occurs during plowing. In the pre-war and first post-war years, a flock of rooks always flew behind the plow. They selected worms and larvae of various insects from an inverted layer of earth. After a night rain, the worms crawl out to the surface of the earth, for which they were called rain worms. They crawl out of minks at night to search for a sexual partner (search for a partner underground is difficult). But with the sunrise, they do not always have time to hide underground, and here they are overtaken by birds and even grazing cattle. This causes only some minor damage to the worms, as their population recovers very quickly. The earthworm does not have any protective organ. Any animal can harm or kill him, even by accident.
The mole is one of the most dangerous enemies of earthworms, because earthworms are tasty food for him. Nature endowed the mole with the ability to lure worms into its underground passage with the help of the smell of a special musk. During a morning walk along its passages, it eats the creeping worms, and when it has eaten, it gathers the rest and, biting their head end, immobilizes them and puts them in reserve in its pantry. It is enough for one mole to appear on the site, as in a short time it will tirelessly destroy worms. Do not rush to use any poison against the mole - it will be poisoned by the worms, and this will poison them with the same poison. Use mole traps.
Among the smaller enemies of earthworms are centipedes, moths, and ants. These arthropods are not considered particularly dangerous for earthworms, since they do not attack them directly, but they are food competitors. There is no specific poison for centipedes. Poison for them is poison for worms. Therefore, you have to kill them one by one every time they catch your eye.
Ants consume sugar in large quantities, leaving the worms deprived, in addition, they can attack individual worms and eat them. Our observations testify to the fact that ants in the garden and even in the worm hive with worms somehow get along and make friends, and if they harm them, then not enough to start a fight with them. To poison them with poisons is also dangerous for worms. According to my observations, ants disappear if their nest, inhabited by their eggs, is shoveled.
The main enemy of earthworms is a person who, for the most part, does not know the priceless virtues of these earthworkers, and sometimes considers them harmful creatures. This is delusion from ignorance and ignorance. It must be explained that there is not a single animal that would be such a good friend of the earth and our well-being as the earthworm. As already noted, earthworms are very sensitive to all pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. By destroying various pests with them, you will destroy the worms and, consequently, the fertility of the soil. To save worms and all life on earth, other, new biological means of combating weeds, insect pests, and pathogenic fungi are needed. One of them, most importantly, was found - providing the soil with humus. This is the same specific means of restoring the biosphere as oats are for a horse. From here new proverbs were born: feed the horse with oats, and the soil with humus. Put the humus thick - the bins will not be empty. The earth can enrich if it is fed with humus. Learn to make humus with worms and the earth will repay you with an abundance of bread, fruits and vegetables!
Growing instructions
TEMPERATURE CONDITION:
optimal 16 - 25°C
admissible 15 - 30 °С
extreme 5 - 35 °C
LIGHTING:
normal 60 W for 20 m²
maximum up to 80 W per 20 m²
minimum 40 W per 20 m²
WATER SUPPLY:
Water is used river, spring, well. Chlorinated water inhibits worms, so water containers can be used in this case. Under certain conditions (for example, in the absence of sewerage), you can use drains for humidification - rainwater, domestic; there are some restrictions for industrial effluents. Too cold or too warm water causes the so-called stress reaction in worms (fright, shock), and they stop eating well and multiplying. Water for watering a cultivator with worms should be stored in a container and allowed to stand for at least a day. During this time, it will warm up to the desired temperature, and chlorine will disappear from it (if the water is from the city water supply).
VENTILATION:
Natural, forced is allowed with a wind speed of not more than 0.5 m / s. PESTS:
Worms are a delicacy for moles, rats, bears, frogs and others. The mother liquor should be inaccessible to them - the floor is hard-surfaced, the walls and ceiling are impenetrable. Periodically, you need to take measures to eliminate rodents.
SEWER:
Sewerage is desirable, but not required. Own drains are reused.
FEEDING:
Food for worms is a nutrient medium necessary for life (food, substrate, compost), obtained as a result of the decomposition of organic compounds. Our vermifarm mainly uses rotted manure of large cattle(mainly cows), fruit and vegetable remains, leaves, hay, straw, paper and cardboard.
Feed composition
The composition of the feed may include various proportions of overripe manure from any kind of cattle and small cattle, horses.
Bird droppings (chicken, quail) are highly acidic, composting time can take up to 8 months, and it is necessary to dilute and mix thoroughly with 50% straw, sawdust or other compounds.
Pig manure contains a large amount of proteins and has a strong acidity, the composting process takes from 3 to 7 months.
Goat dung and rabbit dung can be used without prior preparation.
It is not recommended to use manure that has lain for more than two years as the main composition, since it contains practically no necessary nutrients for worms. It can be mixed with other vegetable and food waste, making the composting process faster and more uniform.
Straw, hay - in the feed substrate performs the same functions as sawdust and wood chips, it also serves as food for the worm. It is added mainly in crushed form. Sand - I read somewhere that sand serves as a "cleaner" for the worm's digestive tract. I didn’t check it, I took my word for it, since then I have been constantly adding Mel to the feed substrate - a universal remedy for deoxidizing the feed substrate. I use it all the time. Dead leaves from trees and shrubs, chopped grass and small particles of hardwoods (poplar, aspen, birch), rotten remains are an excellent substrate. Worms are very fond of rotten bananas and their peel, any remains of melon, watermelon, pumpkin, tomatoes , cores of apples and pears. Also suitable are carrots, beets, potato peels, leftover cereals, moldy bread, crackers, mushrooms, cabbage leaves, rotten dried fruits and other vegetable waste. You can always add coffee grounds, brewed tea leaves, including custard bags without additional processing .Worms recycle food pulp and paper industry: napkins, newspaper, cardboard. If you apply in large quantities, you need to compost for several months together with other plant waste or manure. The remains of fruits and vegetables, if possible, should be crushed a little before adding to the main container with worms. , 1 - 2 drops of moisture will appear.
What should not be present
Chemicals, metal particles, liquid plastics and silicone mixtures, soaps, poisonous plants, chlorine-containing, petrochemical liquid products and their constituents.
Plants treated in large quantities with chemicals to kill harmful insects.
Do not add dairy products as they increase acidity and encourage mold growth. Worms do not process animal protein, in large quantities they can die from it.
A well-prepared substrate is of decisive importance in the breeding of worms. The substrate is prepared by fermenting microorganisms, decomposing protein to amino acids by composting. Composting of organic materials occurs only in heaps. Many home gardeners compost organic waste in so-called compost pits. However, this is not composting, but ensiling (a completely different biochemical process associated with the formation of acidic decomposition products).
Peasant (farming) farm "Vermilife" is engaged in the sale of high-quality red Californian worm and biohumus on favorable terms. For wholesale buyers We offer good discounts. More information about the cost of our products and conditions of purchase can be found
Fishing enthusiasts are well aware that an indispensable condition for a good bite is the right bait, which today can be purchased in specialized stores. Professionals use Californian worms for this purpose. However, not everyone knows that they can be used not only as bait.
Earthworms: varieties
Worms are the most common type of invertebrates. Their habitat excludes only Antarctica. There are many types and subspecies of these creatures.
Depending on the behavior in the natural habitat, biologists distinguish three types:
- epigeic.
- endogeic.
- Anecic.
Worms, which belong to the latter type, live on the surface of the soil. They dig holes only vertically, and feed on organic matter. The activity of this category instantly fades away in case of moving from the habitual habitat. That is why they are difficult to breed. This type of worm plays an extremely important role in the process of soil formation. Their practical use is limited to soil formation. They can also be used as bait for fishing.
Worms of the second type live in soil rich in minerals. They need less to survive. organic matter. Burrows dig horizontally, but do not like to be on the surface. They process the soil and thus saturate it with various nutrients, and also enrich it with oxygen.
Epigeic worms are very tolerant of artificial living conditions, so they are most often used for breeding for economic gain. This type of worm prefers topsoil rich in organic matter. They thrive in the remains of bark, trees and leaves. The conditions for breeding the California worm provide for a number of subtle points.
Worm farming business
To understand the basics of worm breeding, you must first understand the main concepts used by professionals. Compost is a fertilizer made from organic waste. It is obtained with the participation of microorganisms. The most common sources for the production of this fertilizer are manure, peat, foliage and bird droppings. The product of compost processing by earthworms is called biohumus. California worm at home can be used just to improve the quality of fertilizers.
Worms breeding: main activities
One of the main business areas for breeding the Californian worm is the creation of biohumus. This product is in high demand among both farmers and private households. This type fertilizers are in demand even abroad. Agree, there is something to think about if you plan to expand your business in this area. Biohumus today is a fairly profitable investment.
Vermicompost
This fertilizer is actively used for growing various vegetable crops. This applies not only to greenhouse vegetables, but also to root crops, such as carrots or potatoes. When using vermicompost, you can increase the yield by 40%. Biohumus is incredibly effective when growing berries such as wild strawberries or strawberries. This fertilizer is in high demand today. This means that you can make a good business on its sale. Biohumus importers are currently quite rich countries, such as the United United Arab Emirates.
The use of this fertilizer allows even in fairly aggressive climatic conditions to obtain a high yield several times a year. Quality fertilizer is appreciated. For a ton of products today they can offer about $ 2,000. Of course, in Europe it costs not so much, but the price of 600 euros is also pretty good. This means that with a competent approach, you can make good money selling vermicompost. In order not only to get into this market, but also to gain a foothold in it, you will have to try hard.
Economic expediency
This review mainly deals with how to breed California worms. First of all, you should study the main advantages of using this type from an economic point of view.
Many believe that Californian worms have some incredible characteristics that distinguish them from other varieties. It is believed that they can live for 15-16 years. This is not true. Life expectancy is exactly the same as that of their domestic relatives, and the maximum is 6 years. There is also an opinion that California worms are able to survive at extreme temperatures (from 2 to 40 degrees). This is also not true: the worms begin to die when it gets below 4 degrees outside, and in hot climatic conditions over 35 they lose activity. However, despite the huge amount of false information, this type has certain advantages.
Positive points
The real pluses that distinguish California worms include the fact that they remain active even in the cold season. It is also worth emphasizing the compactness of populations and high level breeding compared to simple earthworms. Here, the numbers indicated in the advertisement do not lie at all. So there are obvious advantages to using this kind.
Breeding
Why are Californian worms so good? Breeding at home usually takes place on the territory of a simple garden plot. In this case, this work can be a good source of additional income. In order to properly breed worms, it is necessary to organize activities in a certain way and strictly follow the instructions. Consider the main features of creating a business within the framework of a private economy.
How to breed worms in a summer cottage?
Many today are interested in such a topic as breeding Californian worms. Households will be quite enough to start this kind of business. You must first purchase adult worms or fry. This is largely dependent on your financial position. For breeding on the site, it is necessary to prepare a square-shaped pit. Its depth should reach approximately 70 cm, and dimensions - a meter per meter. So that the worms do not spread to the rest of the dacha society, the lower part of the pit is covered with boards and well tamped. After that, the nutrient medium falls into the pit. To obtain vermicompost, extract the worms. In order for them to process the nutrient medium, several weeks must pass.
Under the hood they mean the introduction of a layer of substrate and its loosening. The worms will then crawl out to the top layer. This saturated material must then be transferred to a new pit to continue the vermicompost cycle. On average, it takes about 3-4 weeks. The compost processed in this way is sifted and dried. In this form, it can be sold. At the same time, the worms can safely continue their work in the next hole.
What is the substrate made from?
For this purpose, any waste at hand is suitable: straw, paper, tops, organic filler. This mass must be placed near the pit with worms and poured with liquid manure. Loosen the substrate once every two weeks.
The California worm, whose photo is probably familiar to many, has a special investment appeal. It does not require breeding. big investments. It is enough to show a little patience and interest in this activity. After all, not everyone will like to deal with unpleasant smells and creatures swarming in the ground.
Breeding on an industrial scale
When it comes to the preparation of biohumus in large volumes, a number of nuances appear. If for a private economy you need Californian worms in the amount of 10-20 thousand individuals, then on an industrial scale, a population of at least a million is usually taken. Also in this case, you will need a room with an area of 10 to 15 squares, with artificial lighting and a constant temperature of 15 to 30 degrees. It is also desirable that the room has a natural water supply system. Particular attention should also be paid to protection against rodents. To accommodate colonies of worms, you will need to organize racks.
Conclusion
Breeding Californian worms is profitable business, which has a number of features. Even though it requires minimum investment, you will still need some degree of preparation and a desire to be directly involved in the production process itself.
Seasoned fishermen are well acquainted with the indispensable attribute of their favorite hobby: worms. However, even experienced anglers do not know the name of the worms used as bait and, moreover, they do not suspect that they can be used not only for fishing. Vermiferma — promising and low-competitive business. You can breed Californian worms even at home, and investments in this business are minimal. From the article you will learn how to earn up to 200 thousand rubles per month on breeding worms at home or on a personal plot.
Worms are common invertebrates on Earth. There are a great many of them, however, biologists distinguish three main subspecies of earthworms: Anecic, Endogeic and Epigeic.
The first lives on the surface of the earth and if he needs a "burrow", then he digs it vertically. If it is transferred to atypical conditions, then it will lose the ability to reproduce. This is true for the artificially created environment as well. Anecic is important for soil formation.
Second prefers mineral soil with a meager proportion of organic matter. The minks are horizontal and rarely come to the surface. Constantly processes the soil, enriching it with various nutrients. However, it also loses the ability to reproduce when transferred to an artificial habitat.
Third the type is the red Californian worm and it endures any conditions, therefore it is necessary to derive economic benefit from it. This species prefers to process organic matter (leaves, bark, etc.). Minks dig neat and short.
To whom to sell California worms?
Contrary to popular belief, not only anglers can sell worms. Implementation takes place through the following channels:
- Farms just planning to start operations;
- Summer residents to increase the population of worms in the gardens;
- Fishermen in places where there are few or no worms;
- Fishing shops (both for sale and for cultivation);
- Producers of biohumus;
- Pet lovers, pet stores (for feeding pets).
However, before you sell, you need to grow Californian worms. Let's see how this business works.
Where to begin
To breed worms at home, you will need to purchase: scales, a sieve, a shovel, pitchforks, buckets, a wheelbarrow, thermometers, boxes or containers for growing. Much depends on the quality of the soil: the intensity of reproduction, the life cycles of worms, their appearance.
Each container must be half filled with humus and crushed cardboard, mail moisture should not be below 70%. If you don't have a moisture meter, just squeeze the soil in your hand: if there are a couple of drops of water left, then the humidity is right.
When starting a business, do not rush to buy expensive equipment: for growing, you can take wooden boxes or even plastic food boxes. Be sure to make holes for ventilation.
A separate room is allocated for the vermi farm, the temperature regime of which should be 18 to 25 degrees. When watering water, use water without chlorine: it adversely affects the quality life cycle worm.
You can buy breeding stock both on the Internet and from the owners of local farms. Pay attention to the appearance of the worm: it must be mobile, the color is red. The livestock includes no more than 1.5 thousand individuals. There should be no more than 3 families per 1 m2.
California worm cocoons are sold on the Internet. Minimum order from 300-500 pcs. The advantage is the absence of problems during transportation even over long distances. From one cocoon, 5-25 fry hatch, which tolerate artificial soil better than adults. The cost of 1 cocoon is from 3 to 8 rubles for 1 piece.
How to settle and care for
Prepare the ground. After 2-3 days, make a recess in it and populate the first worms. Then cover them with soil and cover the container with a lid. After another 1-2 days, add food. After a week, it is worth checking whether everything is in order with the inhabitants of the container, perhaps some of the settlers have died. If you find dead worms, then vary the acidity level: to increase it, add straw or sawdust, and to decrease it, add limestone, chalk, egg shells. Ideally, the surface of the earth should be clean, and the worms should be as mobile as possible.
You can feed the worms with any plant food: potatoes, cabbage, banana skins, watermelon peels, bread, grass. Worms are vegetarians and therefore you should not give them meat and eggs. Also, don't feed them citrus fruits. Feed food should be in a crushed form: they will not be able to process large pieces. Try to keep the composition of the feed constant, the worms do not tolerate the change of food.
They multiply quickly and therefore prepare boxes for transplanting young animals in advance. Over the winter, one family increases by 10 times or more. Remember that they need moisture, so water the soil regularly. And also the worms need oxygen, and if the soil depth is more than 20 cm, then carry out regular loosening.
Profitability
Up to 10 thousand worms and about 0.5 tons of biohumus are obtained from 1 cubic meter. The cost of a worm is about 2-3 rubles, the cost of biohumus varies. One box or small container of fishing or pet food worms can be sold for 250 - 350 rubles. The cost of 1 kg of worms reaches several thousand rubles.
Return on investment comes in 2-3 years. Many entrepreneurs do not take such a business seriously and therefore do not reach the payback point. It is necessary to constantly monitor the temperature of the vermifarm, as well as humidity. Worms can only survive in conditions 70-80% humidity. Competition in the market is minimal, so the creation of a vermifarm in an apartment or in a country house is a promising line of business.
The overall profitability depends on a large number of factors, but the main one is farm size. The larger the worm breeding area, the more profit you will receive. Try your hand at this business by organizing one container of worms and once you feel progress just buy more containers or build a farm on the land. Remember to promote your business: agree in advance with fishing and pet stores on the supply of worms for subsequent sale (deliveries should be made in bulk).
Pros and cons
Vermifarm bears minimal risks: it is enough to try yourself in this business with a small investment. Organize a worm farm even in an old refrigerator or wooden box. If you lack experience or information, look for it on the Internet: watch a couple of training videos.
There are no shortcomings in this business, it is simply excellent, according to the reviews of entrepreneurs. With a serious approach, this working business will bring serious income.
Do not assume that the production of worms is focused only on pet stores and fishing shops. One of the main lines of business is the creation of vermicompost used on farms and in private households. This fertilizer is in demand both in Russia and abroad. Biohumus today is a profitable investment.
Numerous fishing enthusiasts are well aware of such an indispensable attribute of their hobby as Californian red worms, but even the most avid of them do not always know what exactly is called what they use as bait. And even more so, they do not suspect that they can be used not only in this capacity, but also in at least several others.
Types of earthworms
Let's start with the fact that worms are the most common type of invertebrates on the entire planet, and their habitat does not include Antarctica. In fact, there are a huge number of their types and subspecies. Biologists distinguish three main categories, depending on the behavior of worms in their natural environment. These are Anecic, Endogeic and Epigeic.
The first species "prefers" existence on the surface of the soil, and these worms dig deep into the holes, usually vertically down. The main food for this species is organic matter, which they process into humus. This category is characterized by an instant extinction of activity and the ability to reproduce when moving from the usual habitat to any other, including artificial, which, for example, is necessary when breeding them. This variety plays essential role in soil formation, and its practical use is limited to natural soil formation without human intervention. Plus anglers use it as bait.
The second type "prefers" a more mineralized soil, in which there is much less organic matter. Worms of this category dig horizontal holes, do not like the surface and need constant processing of the soil. Thus, they saturate the earth with various nutrients, enriching it for further use by vegetation, and also increase the oxygen content in it. The use of this variety of earthworms is also mostly uncontrolled and is mostly natural.
The third type is the one that will be discussed in the article, since it is Californian worms, as they are also called, that can easily endure artificial living conditions, and their use has a specific economic benefit. This species prefers the top layer of soil for life, and to be more precise, all kinds of organic matter, which it is so rich in. These are leaves, the remains of trees, bark and so on. Californian worms do not dig deep and branched systems of passages.
The popularity of this species from an economic point of view is due to the possibility of its breeding in artificial habitats. The main factor is only the presence of a sufficient amount of organic material, which is quite easy to implement, as well as the absence of the need to use a deep layer of soil. Breeding California worms involves a number of important technical issues that should be considered.
Worm business
To understand the basics of worm breeding, it is necessary to give several definitions used by professionals in this field of activity.
Compost is a fertilizer obtained from organic waste as a result of their decomposition with the direct participation of microorganisms. The most common sources for its manufacture are peat, manure, bird droppings, foliage and a variety of garden waste.
Vermicompost, or biohumus, is a product of compost processing by earthworms, bacteria and some other organisms. In particular, California worms can be used as a result of certain breeding work to improve the overall quality of the resulting production activities fertilizers.
The production of vermicompost is the main driving force behind the worm breeding business, as this product is in certain demand. And not only within the framework of the domestic segment of agricultural activity, but even abroad, which should also be considered when preparing plans for the development of one's own business in this area. And although such a business may include the very distribution of worms and their cocoons as a completely self-sufficient part of it, biohumus is the most profitable investment.
Using vermicompost
The most common application of this fertilizer is associated with the cultivation of various vegetable crops. This applies not only to greenhouse forms like tomatoes or cucumbers, but also potatoes. The increase in yield achieved with the use of vermicompost reaches 40%. Biohumus is also extremely effective in growing strawberries, wild strawberries and other types of berries cultivated in different regions. At the same time, they are characterized by an increase in productivity up to 60%. Obviously, the use of this fertilizer is in good demand, which means that it can be easily sold and made money on it.
We should not forget about the rich importers of vermicompost. For example, the countries of the Arab world, in particular the UAE, widely use vermicompost for growing various crops, collecting up to three crops per season. At the same time, they pay well for high-quality vermicompost. Thus, the cost of one ton of products fluctuates in the range of 2 thousand dollars. In Europe, biohumus is bought for 600 euros, which also looks very attractive. In Russia, these products are not so valuable, for example, a forty-liter package costs about 400 rubles. That is, with a competent approach to advertising and sales, you can still earn money by selling vermicompost. However, to get into this market, you will have to work hard and not only earn a good name, but also create a really effective production structure.
Main economy
Since the article deals with the cultivation of the California worm, you should know the main advantages of its use from an economic point of view. And although there is an opinion among the people about the incredible characteristics of this variety, this should not be led. Advertising activity in this area really inflates the numbers to incredible proportions. California red worms are reported to live up to 15 to 16 years, which is a common misconception. In fact, the life expectancy of individuals does not differ much from that of their domestic relatives, amounting to a period of 5-6 years.
California worms allegedly exist in temperature conditions from 2 to 40 degrees. This is also not true, their activity practically disappears already at 35 degrees, not to mention the fact that at 4 degrees they begin to die. In general, all advertising tricks are quite obvious. Despite all this, the California worm still has some advantages over domestic counterparts, so it is profitable to buy it specifically for creating own business.
Real Pros
Among the widely advertised pluses that really take place, one can mention activity even in the winter season, which cannot be said about the rain variety, as well as the compactness of the populations that Californian worms prefer to live in (by the way, their photo can be seen at the beginning of the review).
In addition, it is necessary to note the higher level of reproduction of this species in comparison with the usual one. And although advertising exaggeration also takes place here, the figures are called almost ten times, in fact this figure is somewhere in one and a half to two times higher. So California worms still have obvious advantages, which determines the choice of many zealous hosts.
Breeding
The breeding process can be considered in two main forms: in the industrial, when it is necessary to work with a large number of individuals, and at home, when an ordinary garden plot can also become a source of good income.
Breeding California worms involves the proper organization of activities and following certain guidelines. Consider the main points of creating your own business, first within the garden plot, and then in an industrial setting.
gardening
The California worm is purchased in the form of either adults, or fry, or in cocoons, depending on the season, financial possibilities, etc. In the garden plot, it is necessary to prepare a square pit a meter per meter and a depth of about 70 cm. So that the worms do not set off to explore the expanses of a garden partnership, you should tamp its lower surface and cover the walls with boards. The nutrient medium, or, as it is also called, the substrate with worms, falls into the pit and is carefully leveled with a pitchfork. Then a layer of simple substrate is added. To obtain vermicompost, it is necessary to carry out the so-called extract of worms.
Naturally, several weeks must pass before obtaining biohumus of normal quality, so that the worms have time to process the nutrient medium. The hood is the addition of a substrate layer on top, its thorough loosening, after which the worms crawl out into this upper layer. Next, you need to carefully remove this layer, saturated with them, and transfer it to a new hole to continue the cycle of creating vermicompost. The average extraction time is about three to four weeks.
The resulting layer of recycled compost is sieved, dried, after which it can be sold at a price that an enterprising businessman can negotiate with a fertilizer customer. Well, the worms continue their labor activity in the next pit, performing the production cycle new products. This is how Californian worms are mainly used at home.
Another important point- production of the substrate. The waste at hand is shredded. It can be paper, straw, tops or any other organic filler. The resulting mass is located near the pit and is watered with liquid manure. The humidity to be created is about 80%. Checking whether this mass is sufficiently moistened is very simple. If nearby worms do not crawl into it, you must continue to water. The substrate must be loosened once every two weeks.
From point of view small investments the Californian worm is convenient in business. Breeding at home does not require serious investment, you just need a sufficient amount of patience and interest in this case, because, obviously, you have to deal with creatures swarming in the ground and in the presence of not very pleasant smells. In any case, this is a job for true enthusiasts.
Industrial volumes
If we are talking about a professional approach to how to breed a California worm, then there are certain nuances. In the previous section, we talked about the number of individuals in 10-20 thousand pieces. When it comes to the volume of a million worms, the approach is somewhat different.
This requires from 10 to 15 square meters. meters of indoor area. The temperature to be maintained is in the range of 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. Natural ventilation and artificial lighting will be required, plus a water supply, preferably non-domestic, as chlorinated water can kill the entire population. Well or river water is quite suitable.
Careful attention should be paid to protecting the premises from rodents, which can easily destroy a large part of the colony. That is, you will need a hard coating of the floor, as well as walls. The height of the mother liquor should be from two to two and a half meters. Breeding California worms as a business is an activity that requires the same thorough preparation as any high-tech field.
You will also need to purchase racks on which trays with colonies of worms will be located. Boxes are best used perforated, made of plastic, to ensure the required level of oxygen and easy removal of excess fluid. In each tray, a population density of up to 20 thousand individuals should be planned.
To make a substrate in an enclosed space, it is necessary to spread manure or planned organic waste in a layer of 20 cm and cover with a film. The temperature should be around 55 degrees Celsius. A day later, the resulting mass must be brought to 30 degrees and moistened to 80%. The resulting substrate is laid out in boxes with a layer of 5 cm. At the same time, good ventilation should be remembered in order to remove the resulting gases from the room.
The next stage is the habituation of worms to a new climate for them, and then to the substrate. Crates of new formula are placed on top of the worm trays. Further actions- it's just maintaining the optimal level of humidity in the trays. When the worms process the substrate, the resulting vermicompost is separated, dried, sieved and sold to customers.
Thus, the red Californian worm, the breeding of which can be commercialized, can bring a decent income to an enterprising rural dweller.
Some technical points
The questions considered in the article quite generally reveal an area that has a decent technology, not sticking to which means easily ruining painstaking work for many weeks. Main driving force business - Californian worms. How to breed them is a whole layer of technology that a beginner should know by adjusting the conditions environment under the unpretentious needs of their "workers". However, there are a couple more important questions. For example, what are California worm cocoons and where can I get them?
In fact, worms lay their eggs immediately after mating. Of course, this is very different from the system used, for example, by birds, but the principle is similar. The worms copulate, after which they form a so-called cocoon in the body, which is separated and then, when opened, can contain from one to five small individuals.
There are specialized agricultural firms involved in the supply of this biomass. By the way, as part of your own worm business, you can create a branch of cocoon breeding activities. For this, there is a separate technology that an entrepreneur can also take note of and master.
The convenience of using cocoons in the worm business is due to obvious conditions. The most important thing is transportation, and in terms of breeding, also the value of this product. Therefore, this feature of the reproduction of worms should also be paid attention to when designing your own business related to their breeding.
Conclusion
As already mentioned, there is some publicity euphoria associated with the incredible qualities that the California worms supposedly possess. Public opinion varies within a fairly wide range: from laudatory to degrading. However, obviously, there are certain advantages of this type of worms over the same earthworms, especially in terms of creating your own business for breeding them. Good reproducibility, unpretentiousness, improvement in the quality of fertilizers, in the creation of which they take the most important part - this is not a complete list of pluses.
In addition, there are at least several aspects of the use of Californian worms. Firstly, this is actually the creation of vermicompost as the most valuable and sought-after product on the modern agricultural market. Moreover, the demand for it over the past few years continues to grow steadily. With the increase production capacity there will be new opportunities for implementation. So, now the United Arab Emirates are purchasing biohumus for fabulous money. Of course, you will have to work hard for this, but if an entrepreneur has a desire to produce in this area, then entering the international market is quite real.
Secondly, such a business, obviously, will increase the number of worms on a makeshift farm, if, again, the owner strictly follows the technology. This means that it is possible to sell the "producer" itself, without reducing the capacity, but, on the contrary, increasing the number and improving their living conditions.
Thirdly, it is possible to deal with the supply of so-called cocoons, that is, the offspring of the population. And this is another one effective method earnings in the field of cultivation of worms.
Generally this activity requires not only careful planning, but also a certain amount of enthusiasm and desire to mess with manure and other, to put it mildly, not the most fragrant substances. So business is unusual and for a certain circle of people it can become a source of good news. stable income and a way of expressing yourself in an attempt to make this world a little better. In addition, it does not require special investments. Of course, the size of the initial investment depends on the scope of the entrepreneur, but, as a rule, at first, the amount of a thousand dollars to open a business will be more than enough.
