earthworms

Discussion in 'Wanted/Swop/Freebies' started by Aquaphile, Aug 18, 2013.

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  1. Aquaphile

    Aquaphile

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    Anyone know of a supplier of earthworms in the cape Town region?
     
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  3. dash

    dash

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    Check with google. The last time I checked there was a lady in jhb that was doing it. She ships as well.
     
  4. Camcam

    Camcam

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    I know that garden nurseries have an over abundance of earth worms just lying under pot plants and compost bags, you could try that but make sure that the compost is 100% organic and without any additives as the worms would have absorbed this Kak. Also most fishing stores stock worms for live bait, just make sure of what they are fed so as to reduce the risk of introducingany harmful substances to your fish.If all else fails, a spade and some back breaking digging should yield some fat juicy worms. Happy hunting
     
  5. L~C~G

    L~C~G

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    I have a worm farm for feeding my fire eel.

    It is much easier to have your own farm than to try buying all the time. It is very easy to get up and running and they breed like rats.

    I keep mine indoors and there is no smell or anything from it.

    If you are keen let me know and ill take a few pics of my set up for you to see how I did it. You just need a starter colony and you will be feeding your fish in about two weeks from that.
     
  6. hein24

    hein24 Betta

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    Interesting...

    How much does one need for a starter colony... Reason for me asking is summer is coming up and that means its fishing time and I would like some homebrewed earth worms available, keen to see your setup... If you don't mind please do post a topic regarding this...


    Sorry for the HIjach
     
  7. dash

    dash

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    yes agree. can you tell us how you set it up, how you feed and so on.
     
  8. ryanj252

    ryanj252 DIY Guy

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    Im busy starting a Vermicomposting bin aswell. Its quite easy like @L~C~G said.

    - You just need an opaque contain with holes at the bottom.
    - Layer the bottom with strips of wet newspaper.
    - Then add your food scraps. No onions, meat or dairy (It helps to mince or blend them to a pulp)
    - Layer the food over your newspaper and cover that with strips of wet newspaper again, and close your tub/bucket/container.
    - Let that sit for about a month and then get a hand full of earthworms (preferably red wigglers)
    - They should eat their way through the food/paper/tea bags/coffee and leave you with some good garden compost aswell as multiplying worms over time.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016
  9. L~C~G

    L~C~G

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    I used a black moulded box because they actually prefer darkness.

    I got a handful of worms from someone who used to have a worm farm and turfed them into the box with strips of damp newspaper. Within a few days I started taking worms out and they keep on breeding.

    I throw in fruit and veg scraps when I see they are nearly done with the older stuff. You dont have to mince or blend anything, that is what thew worms are for. I sometimes throw in whole apples, pears, peaches etc, it makes the little buggers easier to catch because they are all in one place. I am doing this for fish food, not for world class compost.

    You are supposed to top the box off with damp newspaper strips whenever they are finished with what is there but I have stopped doing that because I dont actually want compost, and all that does in make your box keep filling up. I have not added news paper for over a year and see no ill effects at all.

    The really nice part about it is that you can actually control how much they re-produce by how much food you add. If you put less fruit & veg in their numbers drop off very fast, and if you at a lot of food within days their number swell hugely.

    It really is that simple. Get some worms and and a box with holes in the bottom to drain it off. Rip some news paper (Not glossy ad paper, only proper news paper) Wet the stuff and chuck the worms and a bit of fruit in there. Keep adding paper for a few days to give the worms some substrate to live in and you are on your way.

    You must avoid feeding citrus fruit because the acid dissolves the worms.............Not pretty.
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2013
  10. Sparky_vp

    Sparky_vp

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    can i place a link here or not ?
     
  11. L~C~G

    L~C~G

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    As long as you are not trying to sell anything, then there should be no problem with posting a link.
     
  12. Sparky_vp

    Sparky_vp

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    nope i'm not trying to sell anything, can merely point you guys to a cape town supplier of feeder insects an such...if the link is inappropriate please feel free to remove it

    http://www.creepycrawlerfeeders.co.za//Products.php
     
  13. L~C~G

    L~C~G

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    That is a very useful site, im sure the CT guys are going to enjoy that. Personally I would battle to get out of bed in the morning if I had to work at that place, what a horrible job :sick:
     
  14. OP
    Aquaphile

    Aquaphile

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    Thank you everyone for running with my earthworm query, and for providing even more than I had hoped for. Initially I wanted to buy the worms as needed, but now I'm tempted to farm em myself. Tnxxx...
     
  15. lep2soma

    lep2soma

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