Worms for fishing: how to breed and maintain them at home

Worms for fishing are a classic and widespread bait for almost all fish, the effectiveness of which is difficult to compete with other types of bait, as most anglers know very well. And if in natural conditions it is not so difficult to get this kind of bait, knowing about the places of its usual habitat, then in urban conditions the best option is to buy bait. For fishing enthusiasts who periodically go on fishing sessions, the problem of the amount of bait is not as pressing as for avid fishermen who actively fish and use this animal bait in supplements to complementary foods.

Purchasing a large number of pieces of bait will not be cheap, and sometimes it is quite difficult to find high-quality material that is suitable in size for the fishing conditions. The way out of this situation is to breed worms for fishing yourself at home. With modern technologies and adherence to a certain production culture, these processes are within the capabilities of any fisherman, and the costs of raw materials and equipment can more than recoup these investments in a short period of time. Reading this article will help convince the fisherman of the simplicity and accessibility of worm breeding technologies.

Worms for fishing - what is the advantage of the simplest bait

The main advantage of this classic nozzle is its versatility. After all, even having simply dug up worms in the garden, a fisherman has the right to count on catching almost all types of carp fish and even some obvious predators. Moreover, this type of attachment is suitable for both float and bottom gear. Availability of bait also plays an important role. Knowing the vital functions of a certain type of worm, the angler can easily get the bait on his own. The only tool you need is a shovel, and the roadside soils of the roadsides, earthen areas near accumulations of garbage and manure heaps are almost everywhere populated with this type of bait.

Low storage requirements, which require ordinary slightly moistened soil or moss, allow you to stock up on bait for a long period of time without having to worry too much about caring for it. Well, the ease of use of the bait does not cause difficulties even for a novice fisherman. After all, when using a worm for fishing, there are no special requirements even for the shape of the hook. The main thing is that it has a hook that prevents spontaneous sliding of the bait and a size that is optimally suitable for the bait.

What worms are used by fishermen

Most types of ringworms living in our latitudes are suitable for fishing; in addition, Californian worms have been bred in artificial conditions for a couple of decades by specialized farms for fishing and the agricultural sector associated with soil formation and poultry rearing. The natives that inhabit our soils everywhere include earthworms, earthworms, and dung worms. In the rotted deciduous masses, the underleaf is widespread, and the swamp worm lives in the marshy and coastal soils of reservoirs.

Varieties of the Californian species of worms introduced and already in some regions gone wild and adapted to the weather conditions of the middle zone include the red worm and dendrobena. Standing apart from these original species is the larva of the beetle beetle or the mealworm, which is also among the popular and unpretentious for storage conditions. The interesting thing is that all of these types of worms listed above can be grown at home.

Types of worms

There are many varieties of subfoliates, all of them are extremely beneficial for the soil and are deservedly called soil ecologists. For business, you can breed any of the species, but BBQcash experts recommend paying attention to several of the most popular and easy-to-maintain ones.

Earthworm (Prospector)

An invertebrate with a smooth body consisting of ring segments complemented by small brushes that serve for movement. The cylindrical animal grows up to 30 cm in length. The back is dark, convex, the belly is flat and pink. This species is classified as hermaphrodite, however, the reproduction process occurs through mating. In the front of the body there is a small extension containing an organ that produces an adhesive substance, which allows the formation of a protective cocoon for laid eggs. Thus, the juveniles are protected from the negative effects of the environment until they are born. The raincoat lives up to 4 years, has no organs of vision and touch. Despite this, it reacts to light and touch through the nervous system and reflexes. The animal is able to smell, and if parts of its body are lost, it regenerates.

The most famous species, adapts well to natural conditions. The reproduction process is a little slower than others, but not significantly. Buyers prefer it.

Red (California) worms

This species reproduces quickly and can reproduce up to 1,500 of its own kind in a season. The average life expectancy is up to 16 years, with puberty starting at 3 months. The main and basic requirement for living conditions is warm soil.

They produce the highest quality fertilizer, but are capricious in nutrition compared to their counterparts. They are afraid of temperatures dropping to +10 °C.

Dendrobens

A specially bred hybrid for fishing. Differs in large sizes. The eggs can withstand sub-zero temperatures and have proven to work well in loosening and enriching the soil. Their length is up to 12 cm. They live 12 years or more.

Interestingly, one such worm can live on a hook in water for up to 10 hours, and you can catch up to three fish with it.

Mealworms

The best producers of humus and worm tea. They are unpretentious in nutrition, reproduce quickly and are resistant to temperature changes.

When starting your own business, it is important to know that it is impossible to breed different types of worms within the same container. Biological components secreted by one animal can be harmful to another.

How to breed worms for fishing

Breeding worms for fishing will require some preparations from the fisherman and, in particular, the preparation of special containers, soils, the initial uterine population of the selected type of bait and the substrate in which the worm will breed and also feed. It is most practical to use plastic or wooden boxes with a height of no more than 40 cm with drainage holes made in the bottom for the worm cage. Soils are used depending on the type of worms, but in most cases you can use soil from molehills or directly from the garden.

Important! When collecting soil to fill worm chambers, you need to pay attention to the absence of ash in the earthen compositions, which will subsequently negatively affect the life activity of the bred organism, increasing acidity.

Biological planting material or breeding stock can be purchased in special nurseries, but you can simply remove it directly from the natural environment, simply by collecting a suitable volume of worms of the right type. The substrate for organizing nutrition and drainage for each breeding species of worm is prepared using special technologies, which the fisherman will learn about after reading the further material in the article concerning the process of reproduction of a certain species separately.

How to breed crawling worms

In nature, crawlers live in moist soils mixed with rotting plant organic matter, tree leaves and dying grass, which is their main and natural diet. For fishing and the breeding process, crawlers are collected after rains in the evening and at night, when they crawl en masse to the soil surface.

Important! The size of some crawling specimens can reach 30 centimeters; it is these specimens that are best selected for breeding stock.

For the worm hutch, take a wooden slatted box 20 cm deep, which is covered with breathable material; burlap is especially practical to use. The substrate is prepared from ordinary soil mixed with finely chopped hay and leaves, which is subsequently moistened. 20–30 individuals of the breeding stock are placed directly on the surface of this mixture and after two or three months the result is obtained in the form of young shoots of crawling stock. Growing worms in a summer cottage can be done directly in the open ground by organizing worm hutches in a dug trench filled with substrate using the technology presented above. Throughout the warm season of the year, the angler will be guaranteed the availability of bait.

How to feed worms

Worms feed on organic waste. You can give them peelings of any vegetables except potatoes, dairy products, unsweetened tea leaves, coffee grounds, steamed and dry oatmeal. Remember that dry food will dry out the soil, so more moisture is needed.

Food for worms is prepared at the rate of three palms of cereal per 15 liters of water. The feed is poured into the soil and mixed well. It is impossible for its remains to remain on the surface of the earth. If you see that the worms are entangled among themselves and gathered in a ball, untangle them and distribute them throughout the structure.

If a ball of worms lies for a long time, the individuals that are inside it will die from high temperature.

How to Grow Dung and California Worms for Fishing

California red worms are bred at home using a slightly different method from the breeding of crawling worms. This breed is heat-loving and subtly reacts to soil acidity, which requires a more scrupulous approach to preparing the substrate, which, by the way, is also suitable for breeding dung worms. For queen cells, take plastic boxes with drainage holes 30–40 cm high and fill them to the top with a substrate made according to the composition presented below, which includes:

chopped straw;
sawdust from deciduous trees;
manure;
chopped hay.
ordinary land.

The substrate components are thoroughly mixed together and moistened. After pouring the mixtures into the boxes, they are thoroughly compacted, after which the mother material itself is placed in the top layer. In the room where the box is installed, it is advisable to constantly maintain the temperature at +20, +22 degrees. These are optimal conditions for feeding and breeding of the Californian species of worm. Dung beetles can be bred at temperatures four or five degrees lower. These types of worms produce ready-made bait 40–60 days after the culture is planted in the substrate.

Profitability of business with worms

Calculating the expected profit is simple, suppose 10,000 rubles were spent on purchasing equipment and several families of animals.

The average growth and reproduction time is 6 months. Costs during this period are only for lighting and heating the premises; food for invertebrates can be obtained from the nearest supermarket, having agreed on the removal of food waste.

One individual costs, depending on the region, from 0.25 to 1 ruble. It is also worth noting that the business has a pronounced seasonality and in the spring and summer the price of animals rises.

Based on the maximum, that is, a ruble per piece, to summarize, for 1000 worms you receive an equivalent amount in rubles. Accordingly, raising a million invertebrates provides a good income.

Let's consider how long it will take to pay back. Each individual Californian red worm produces from 500 to 1500 offspring. Animals reach sexual maturity by 3 months, respectively, one family of 1000 sexually mature individuals can potentially increase to 1,000,000 per season.

How to breed mealworms

In addition to Californian and earthworms, at home you can successfully breed zoophobus or mealworms, better known in the fishing community. To reproduce them, you will need a solid and low, 15–20 cm, plastic box with a mesh lid. The habitat and reproduction of the larvae is prepared from flour, bran, small sawdust of deciduous trees and ground dried bread. The substrate elements are intensively mixed together and scattered over the bottom of the box 5–10 cm thick.

For breeding stock, the pet store buys a couple of dozen beetles, and in their absence the larva itself, although in this case the breeding process noticeably increases in the time it takes to release the finished product. The beetle culture is placed in a substrate, and the box is placed in a place where the room temperature does not drop below +25 degrees. After two months, the mealworm beetles will begin to reproduce, one of the reproduction phases of which is a grown larva or a mealworm needed by the fisherman for bait.

What does a new earthworm breeder need to know?

Growing worms requires a lot of preparation. First of all, you need to decide for what purpose you will raise worms, since different types are in demand for different activities.

Earthworm

A worm that lives in your area. It adapts well to the soil, quickly adapts to nursery conditions, and reproduces effectively. However, the earthworm has low vital activity compared to other species.

Red Californian

Among owners of worm farms, this type of worm is extremely popular due to its unpretentiousness to food, high vital activity, and rapid reproduction. It is worth noting that the standard number of red worms reaches 1,500 units. When choosing a family, you need to pay attention to the color and mobility of individuals. A distinctive feature of red worms is the increased amount of vermicompost formed as a result of their vital activity.

Prospector Worm

Unlike “Californians,” “prospectors” are more resistant to sudden temperature changes. High activity, efficient feed processing, rapid biomass growth, unpretentiousness in feed, excellent substrate properties and a huge amount of vermicompost determine the high popularity of this type of worm.

It is recommended to start a worm business with “thoroughbred” species: their efficiency and productivity are much higher than that of ordinary earthworms living in local soils. Moreover, these varieties are distinguished by an increased amount of by-products, which is also one of the most important conditions for maintaining a vermifarm.

Secrets, nuances and subtleties of earthworm breeding

The main task of a novice breeder is to create acceptable conditions for the life and reproduction of individuals. Particular attention should be paid to several important parameters: land, living conditions and temperature conditions.

Earth in a nursery

High vital activity and normal functioning of worms, especially purebred species, require ensuring the most optimal soil conditions by dividing the soil in the nursery into three main zones:

1. The bottom layer, in which by-products of worm tea and vermicompost are formed and accumulate; 2. Middle layer, the main habitat of individuals and families; 3. The top layer through which the worms feed. The choice of soil for the top layer must be given special attention.

Rules for using soils

The quality of the soil determines the activity of the worm, the speed of reproduction and food processing. Maximum efficiency can be achieved by following a few simple rules:

• The container for dilution must be filled with a dense layer of humus mixed with crushed cardboard; • Make sure that soil moisture does not fall below 75 and does not rise above 80%; • Move in the family 2-3 days after laying the soil in the container; • Cover the nursery with cardboard; • After acclimatization of the worms, add bait.

In addition, special attention must be paid to the level of soil acidity. For breeding worms, the optimal indicator should be within the established norm of 6.5-7.5 pH. If dead worms are found, it is necessary to measure the soil acid level. Acidity can be increased by adding impurities from straw or sawdust, while chalk, eggshells or limestone can help reduce the acidity.

Room

The choice of premises also needs to be given special attention, because the high rate of reproduction will eventually require expansion of the worm farm. Any heated room with high humidity is suitable for breeding worms. As a location you can use:

• Basement or cellar; • Garage or outbuilding; • Attic space.

As their business develops, most wermifarmers face the need to expand. It is worth noting that a separate room for a farm is relevant only when it is required by a high volume of products sold.

Temperature

When the temperature drops sharply to +4C, some of the individuals die, while the rest fall asleep. That is why the most acceptable temperature for maintaining the activity of earthworms is considered to be +15…+25 degrees. Nevertheless, modern markets offer species whose peak activity occurs at temperatures above +8C.

Equipment for breeding earthworms

At the initial stages, a worm breeding business requires a basic set of equipment. In addition to packaging, it is important to purchase or find:

1. Industrial scales; 2. Sieve for sifting soil; 3. Wheelbarrow for transporting containers; 4. 10 l. bucket for carrying soil; 5. Shovel, pitchfork and rake; 6. Instruments for measuring soil parameters; 7. Room and soil thermometer; 8. Racks for storing containers.

Containers for breeding worms at home

As a breeding ground in the initial stages of organizing a business, you can use:

1. Wooden nursery.

The best option is a wooden box measuring 1x2x0.5 m with a board thickness of 25 mm or more. The lid for such a nursery is made in accordance with the materials and dimensions of the box. Don't forget about ventilation. To ensure a stable supply of worm tea, it is necessary to drill several holes in the bottom of the structure, and also adapt a container for collecting liquid.

2. Chamber of an old refrigerator

The most optimal nursery option for beginner vermifarmers. An old refrigerator, devoid of internal parts, is installed horizontally, the bars are inclined. The flow of fresh air requires holes in the door.

3. Cardboard boxes

The least expensive option for organizing a nursery. In addition to the fact that cardboard is one of the most environmentally friendly and “breathable” materials, worms use it as food. In case of getting wet or thinning, it is enough to bring a new box, slightly larger in size than the one used as a nursery.

4. Plastic containers

Plastic is one of the most popular materials for creating a worm nursery. In this case, you can use both ordinary flower pots and large containers, but in both cases it is necessary to ensure ventilation of the container.

5. Professional vermicomposter

One of the most expensive and effective nursery options, which has many advantages. A multi-level design, including several waste compartments, a liquid container, means for maintaining soil moisture, as well as an advanced ground ventilation system ensures maximum efficiency of worm reproduction.

Feeding earthworms

Worms are extremely unpretentious to food, however, properly selected food can accelerate the release of substances responsible for the production of vermicompost. The best food for an earthworm is dead or rotting plant debris. To increase vital activity, it is recommended to feed the worms:

• plant residues; • food waste; • stale baked goods; • eggshell powder; • residues after washing kefir or sour cream containers; • fermented cattle manure or poultry droppings.

However, some foods can lead to decreased worm activity, increased or decreased soil acidity, and the death of certain species. Therefore, the following is prohibited as food for worms:

1. Meat waste; 2. Citrus fruits (affects soil acidity); 3. Kefir, not diluted with water; 4. Whole cores, unground plant residues; 5. Fresh manure, which releases heat during the process of rotting.

It is important to remember that a new portion of food should be added only after the old one has been eaten. If there is a surplus, the soil fermentation process is activated, resulting in a significant increase in pH values.

Compliance with containment conditions

Worms for fishing at home during breeding require some kind of simple care, in particular, creating a microclimate and setting up a competent feeding process. To install a box with substrates, you will need to allocate a separate room, the temperature and humidity of which will be at constant values, without being subject to sudden changes in values. The temperature range, based on the species being bred, will be between 18–25 degrees, and the humidity in the room should not fall below 50%.

In addition, special requirements are put forward for soil acidity, which is in the pH6-pH7 parameters, which can be checked at home using litmus paper. Failure to comply with these parameters of the microclimate and the composition of the substrates leads to a stop in feeding, which causes a decrease or cessation of the process of reproduction and growth necessary for baiting individuals. It is better to store worms already selected for fishing separately from the queen cell, in special boxes with ventilation holes and less voluminous, adding moss as a bedding instead of a substrate. By placing such storage on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, the attachment can be stored without loss of condition and its vital functions for up to one month.

What to feed worms for fishing at home

You need to feed the worms at home with a certain regularity, but in such a way that the queen cells are constantly supplied with optimal volumes of food so that they do not have time to sour. Severely rotting food does not particularly affect the well-being of the growing bait, but it can seriously spoil the microclimate of the room, causing quite sharp unpleasant odors. Dung worms, like Californian worms and crawlers, are fed with crushed plant organic matter, for which food waste is suitable, for example, leftover bread, vegetable and fruit scraps, cereals and thick soups.

The waste is mixed together and placed in a layer of 1.5-2 cm in the upper part of the box, covering the nutrient mixture with a substrate previously removed to the same volume. To determine when to feed the worms next time, you need to monitor the amount of food remaining every five days. The feed volume completely converted into humus indicates the beginning of a new feed supply. Unlike these types of worms, mealworms are fed every two days, giving them small portions of bran and rolled oats mixed with grated carrots, beets or scraps of other vegetables.

What to feed?

For the most part, worms are absolutely unpretentious in food. Their main diet consists of foliage and rotten crops. Here is a list of foods that are good for consumption:

carrot peelings, raw potatoes;
banana peel;
grass;
manure;
thick soups, porridges;
bread crusts;
tea and coffee residues;
cardboard;
boiled vegetables.

Now let’s look at the ingredients that should not be placed in containers:

fermented milk products, as they will immediately begin to increase acidity;
peelings and residues from citrus fruits (for the same reason);
eggs, meat and their waste (except for ground shells added to the substrate);
everything is salty;
everything is canned.

The selected type of food is placed in a container, and you can even mix two or more, the main thing is to do it the same way every time. The food is placed on the surface in a two-centimeter layer and mixed with soil. Then they monitor the rate at which the waste disappears.

As soon as the feed is processed into humus, you can start laying it again.

Finally, let’s review a few more feeding recommendations:

To learn how to breed worms for fishing, watch the following video.

The box must be placed on a flat horizontal surface and covered with sand in a layer of 2 to 3 centimeters. After this, you need to lay out fresh hay in a layer of 4-5 centimeters. Vermicompost is spread on it. It can be purchased at many retail outlets. Owners of summer cottages can use ordinary humus.

How often to water worms

Soil moisture has one of the dominant roles in the success of breeding packing material. A decrease in this indicator forces individuals to sink deeper into the ground, completely ceasing to feed. The substrate is moistened using a regular garden watering can, using water at room temperature for irrigation, which is first allowed to stand in the same room for three days.

Important! The optimal humidity of the substrate can be determined in a fairly simple way. To do this, the soil is squeezed in the hand, and the result of the positive moisture factor is considered to be the formation of a dense and non-crumbly earthen clod.

If the soil is over-moistened, drainage holes in the bottom of the boxes will help correct the situation, and excessive evaporation of moisture will be prevented by covering the newly watered substrate with the propagating material with a piece of corrugated cardboard or a special lid with fine perforations over its entire area. The boxes are checked for moisture every week, adding water to the soil if necessary.