Why & How to Identify Compost Worms by an Expert | Red Wiggler, European Night Crawler, plus more!!

In this video, we'll be discussing the different types of compost worms, as well as why and how to identify them by an expert.

How to Breed Mounds of Worms:

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[SoilSoul]

Hi Karen, I was recommended by Sandra to watch this video! Learning so much! I will share this video with my Taiwanese community too! In Taiwan, most people are still buying and selling mix breeds. It's really helpful. Thank you❤ - Cassie 🇹🇼 🇨🇦

[annelm]

Wow!!! Well if this isn't an example of throw out everything you think you know...

Very Interesting, thank you for sharing

[musikanismo]

So interesting and informative video content

[NanasWorms]

Fascinating information, Karen, especially about the dummy cocoons. Thank you for sharing your experience.
~ Sandra

[wormsforlife]

Very good video, so many thoughts running through my head as I listened to this well-done presentation.
The name games they never end, and they never will. Technically they are all European Nightcrawlers considering they would not be here if it were not for European settlers, (North America) except for the worms in a corner of British Colombia.
I am still getting used to calling them eisenia instead of dendrobaena. I have always just called them Dendro's (ENCs). It is totally acceptable to grow large, long and fattened up RWs or use selective breeding techniques, but not ethical or cool to sell them as Vennetta or Hortensis. The true ENCs (hortensis or veneta) have a very distinct odor which is similar and yet very much unlike the smell of the RWs. The nose knows, if they smell the same, they most likely are. Another way to tell the difference is by the noticeably thicker skins.
I like the cultured nightcrawlers because they can be grown to different sizes so easily (not without work thou) and be called panfish worms, trout worms, bass worms or for vermicomposting just ANC's.
The RWs can be called panfish worms and trout worms but the bass worms have to be replaced with Canadian nightcrawlers. The Canadian Nightcrawlers can also be grown and sized and labeled like the ANCs, but they have to go into the refrigerator. Bait shops do not like the ANCs because they may want to label the smaller worms as RWs, and if they go in the refrigerator or if the fisherperson puts them on ice they die.
YouTube is an awesome tool to get people enthused with worms for vermicomposting.
There is however a lot of misinformation out there and people will defend it with all they're heart, mind and soul.
Sometimes, it amazes me on how mistruths are parroted and agreed upon and there for it must be true when it is not.
The most common one is worms only eat bacteria, feed them finely ground worm chow. Or watch them, they will literally suck in rotting fruit. Yes, there is bacteria on the fruit, but they will suck in the actual fruit along with the bacteria, or they will mouth and moisten paper, tear off a piece and suck it in, this includes RWs.
RWs can't handle a freeze, they do every year up north and come back lively in the spring.
(Veneta or Hortensis unthaw and turn to mush the cocoons survive the winter and hatch in mid spring).
Or burry the food scraps so the fruit flies don't get in, the eggs are on the skins.
I hope the mistruth section of my reply is not taken negatively; it is for informational purposes only.
Have a wonderful Day!

[PlantObsessed]

Where can anyone get the book? Also what did it cost to get the testing done.

[wormsforlife]

I am interested in this book. I have found a few articles written by him. Well, only intros to the articles and an email is requested to have the articles delivered to inbox. I did find a book published in 1974, it is out of print, there is a waiting list for limited availability, I am on the list.
How do I purchase his latest book published?

[brookeonyx]

Thanks for this. I downloaded the book. I’ll print it and actually start reading it tomorrow.
Very surprised about the Hortensis! Now I REALLY need to get them tested for real. Wonder why my ENC’s preform better than my fetida when fishing, even same size worms! Craziness!

[peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo]

Hi Karen, Excellent video and congratulations 🎊 on reaching 1, 000 subscribers! I'm sure you have loads of watched hours, too, with your wonderful videos! 🪱🪱🪱🪱
I was sold 2lb. of Red Wigglers back in 2009, here in Central, Florida. Now that I have really expanded to extra bins I am noticing different looks in the worms. 🪱 but I'm just trying to keep my compostables down and a healthy garden. Take care, My Friend 💚

[mikewalters]

Very interesting, I always wondered if they will cross breed (Red Wigglers x European Night Crawlers). Did it say anything about that??

[GardeningwithBarchuckin]

Very interesting, I would not of thought that you would of got the results you did from the worms you sent in. It’s nice to know what type of worms you have. Thanks for sharing your results and showing this information. 🪱🪱😁