Red (Wiggler) Worms
Red Worms (Eisenia fetida) are the most commonly used (and arguably the most versatile) variety of composting worm. They are generally 2-4 inches in length with a reddish/purple colour, but there appearance and overall physical characteristics can actually vary quite considerably. They can range in colour from a light orange all the way to dark purple, sometimes with stripes, other times without. One characteristic that does seem to be fairly consistent among specimens of this species is the yellow tail tip.
Red Worms are very tolerant of a wide range of temperatures – from the freezing mark all the way to 35 Celsius, so they do very well both indoors and outdoors. According to Edwards (1988)* the optimal breeding temperature for Red Worms is 15-20 C, while the optimal temp for maximum growth and waste processing ability is closer to 25 C.
This species breeds quite readily in worm bins/beds, assuming their basic needs are met. In order to maximize your chances for success we highly recommend setting up your system prior to ordering worms or at least while waiting for them to arrive. This simply involves mixing bedding with ample quantities of food material, moistening then letting it sit in whatever container you are going to be using.
For more information about setting up a worm bin be sure to refer to our ‘How-To‘ section.
**Pricing (Tax Included)**
**Orders Requiring Shipping (If you can’t drive to Elmira, Ontario)**
Please CONTACT US with your full address and the product(s) you are interested in ordering and we’ll be happy to get back to you quickly with a quote.
Red Worm Culture Orders (requiring shipping)
1 Starter Culture Bag – $23 + shipping
2 Starter Culture Bags – $40 + shipping
3 Starter Culture Bags – $55 + shipping
4 Starter Culture Bags – $70 + shipping
Compost Ecosystem Orders (requiring shipping)
1 Bag Compost Ecosystem – $15 + shipping
2 Bags Compost Ecosystem – $26 + shipping
3 Bags Compost Ecosystem – $37 + shipping
4 Bags Compost Ecosystem – $48 + shipping
Note: In order to ensure the fast and safe delivery of our worms we use Xpresspost or Expedited parcel delivery. We are more than happy to ship “Red Worm Culture” orders that will arrive in 1-4 days – if you happen to live outside our shipping zones, we’ll try to help you find a supplier closer to home, or will recommend purchase of our ‘Compost Ecosystem’ Red Worm inoculum mix.
Please CONTACT US to learn more (provide address with postal code if you want a shipping quote)
**IMPORTANT** – All shipped orders go out on Monday and/or Tuesday of each week, so as to avoid weekend delays, and just to generally help streamline everything. Please be sure to get in touch before the weekend if you are hoping to have your order included in the next batch.
**Pick-Up Order Specials (orders to be picked up in Elmira, Ontario) – Tax Inc.**
Red Worm Culture (Elmira pick-up)
1 Starter Culture Bag – $20
2 Starter Culture Bags – $35
3 Starter Culture Bags – $45
4 Starter Culture Bags – $60
Compost Ecosystem Orders (Elmira pick-up)
1 Bag Compost Ecosystem – $12
2 Bags Compost Ecosystem – $22
3 Bags Compost Ecosystem – $30
4 Bags Compost Ecosystem – $40
Please CONTACT US to learn more and/or to schedule an order pick-up (all pick-ups by appointment only)
U.S. Orders
Due to a partnership with a U.S. based supplier we are able to offer even lower prices (in US $$) to anyone living in the States. Please visit our Red Worm Composting website for U.S. pricing and ordering instructions.
* Edwards, C.A. 1988. Breakdown of animal, vegetable and industrial organic wastes by earthworms. In: “Earthworms in waste and environmental management”. Edwards, C.A. & Neuhauser, E.F. (eds). SPB Academic Publishing Co, The Hague, pp. 21-31.
