How long do Earthworms live?
Red wigglers live about 1–2 years and reproduce continuously — a population can double in roughly 60–90 days under good conditions, so a starter of 250–500 worms quickly fills a bin. They are hermaphroditic but need a partner to exchange sperm, and they lay lemon-shaped cocoons that hatch 2–3 tiny worms every few weeks. A well-managed bin reaches a stable carrying capacity and stops overbreeding — the worms self-regulate to the food supply.
What do Earthworms need?
Worms need bedding (shredded newspaper, cardboard, coconut coir or leaf litter) kept at 70–80% moisture — like a wrung-out sponge — plus a nitrogen food source: fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves and crushed eggshells. Avoid meat, dairy, oily food and large amounts of citrus or onion (they acidify and can harm worms). They need darkness, air (bin holes for ventilation and drainage) and a temperature of 15–25°C; below 10°C they slow, above 30°C they die. A light dusting of gritty material helps their digestion.
Housing and setup
A plastic storage tub or wooden box with 8–12 drainage holes in the bottom and several ventilation holes in the lid is the classic setup; raise it on blocks over a tray to catch leachate. Fill one-third with damp bedding, bury food scraps under the bedding (never on top), and add a new feeding zone as the old one is consumed. Keep the bin out of direct sun and freezing cold — a garage, basement or shaded balcony works. Harvest castings every 2–3 months by moving worms to one side and removing finished compost.
Common mistakes with Earthworms
Top errors: overfeeding (uneaten food rots, smells and draws flies); wrong foods (meat, dairy and excess citrus sour the bin); wrong moisture (a soggy bin goes anaerobic and stinks, a dry bin kills worms); and temperature neglect (a hot shed or frozen garage wipes the colony). The bin should smell like earth, never like rot — if it smells, you fed too much or it is too wet.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Overfeeding — bury only what they eat in a few days; surplus scraps rot and attract fruit flies and odors.
- Meat, dairy and excess citrus — these sour the bin and can kill worms; stick to veg, coffee and eggshells.
- Wrong moisture — too wet turns anaerobic and stinky, too dry kills; aim for a wrung-out-sponge feel.
- Temperature neglect — a hot shed or frozen garage wipes the colony; keep 15–25°C.