Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Michael Reynolds. Michael Reynolds is a Professional Fishing Instructor and the Owner of Long Beach, California Fishing Lessons by Michael Reynolds. In his over 40 years of fishing experience, Michael has become very knowledgeable about the variety of fishing methods and techniques. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge with beginners to experienced anglers. Michael has been guiding and teaching fishing for over five years and is licensed and bonded with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).
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There’s no reason to discard the worms left over from your latest fishing trip. Worms are easy to care for and will multiply rapidly if left to their own devices. If you only have a few worms to keep, store them in your refrigerator. If you want to save money on bait in the long run, store the worms in a worm box outside and let them multiply.
Steps
Decide whether this method is right for your worms. This technique works best for small amounts of worms that will be used within a month. For example, if you bought a small cup of worms for a fishing trip and didn’t use all of them, you can store them in the refrigerator until your next trip.- If you have a large box with over one thousand worms, you need to store your worms in a worm box instead.
Place the worms in an opaque plastic or Styrofoam container.[1] If you use a clear plastic container, light will filter through the soil and confuse the worms. Make sure you include any soil or newspaper shreds that came with your bait.- If the worms were purchased in a suitable container you don’t need to move them.
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Feed your worms about once a week. Sprinkle two to three tablespoons of used, damp coffee grounds into their container. Try to evenly distribute the coffee grounds throughout the cup.[2] You can also feed them powdered worm food by sprinkling a few teaspoons over the top layer of worms.- Powdered worm food can be purchased at most bait supply shops.
- Wait until all of the food has been eaten before feeding the worms again. If you over-feed them, they will die.
Store them in the refrigerator. Close the container to retain moisture and place your worms in the refrigerator. Check on your stored worms every few days to make sure they’re well-fed and the bedding is moist. If needed, sprinkle a few drops of water into the container to hydrate the worm bedding.
Prepare a large plastic bin. Choose a bin that’s large enough for all of your worms. You should provide at least one square foot of space for every 1,000 worms. Drill holes in the sides and bottom of the bin to allow water to drain well.- Buy large plastic concrete mixing bins at your local hardware store or purchase a plastic storage bin at a container supply store.
- You can also build your own wooden worm box.
- Put tiny holes in the top of the lid to help with air circulation.[3]
Fill the box with soil. You can either purchase commercial worm bedding or use potting soil. The soil should be moist but not wet. If the soil is too wet, the worms will suffocate. To test the moisture of the soil, grab a handful of soil and squeeze it. Properly moist soil will only release a few drops of water.[4]- If too much water is released, let the soil dry some before adding the worms.
- If the soil is too dry, spray on some water and mix it in with your hands.
Dump the worms into the worm box. The worms will find their own way into the dirt. This process may take an hour or so. If a few hours pass and the worms are still on the surface of the worm box, your soil may be too wet or you may have put too many worms into your box.
Store the worm box in a cool, shady place. If possible, bury the worm box in a shady spot outside, leaving about two inches of the box above ground. If you can’t store the worms outside, keep them under your kitchen sink, in your basement, or in a closet.[5]
Feed them about once a week. You can purchase a powdered worm food from a bait supply store or make your own worm food by blending fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds, or eggshells. [6] To feed the worms, sprinkle a light layer the worm food over the top of the worm box. Wait until all of the food has been eaten before feeding them again.- Don’t mix the food into the soil. This can harm your worms.
- Avoid feeding your worms citrus fruits, spicy food, meat and dairy products, bread, and oil.
Harvest your worms at least once a month. To do so, simply reach into the worm box and gently scoop out a handful of worms. Place the worms in a covered container, taking care to keep the majority of the soil in the worm box. Either take the worms fishing immediately or store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.[7]- Discard any leftover worms from your fishing trip by releasing them into a shady section of your garden.
- Harvest worms before feeding them to avoid mixing the food into the soil.
Change out the soil every 3-6 months. If you don’t, the worms will get sick and die. Remove all of the worms from the worm box into a bucket. Next, scoop out all of the old soil or bedding and replace it with new moist soil. Once you’ve finished, dump the worms back into the worm box.[8]- Wait for the worms to reintegrate into the soil before feeding them again.
- The old dirt can be used as a fertilizer in your garden.
Community Q&A
- QuestionHow do you build a worm bed?
Community AnswerCheck out this article on building a worm bed from scratch: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Worm-BedHowever, you can also purchase a plastic tub to use instead. - QuestionWhat is the best temperature for worms in a refrigerator?
Community AnswerBetween 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 37 degrees Fahrenheit keeps the worms maintained and happy. - QuestionWhat are "coffee grounds"?Community AnswerThe “ground” coffee beans that are left in the filter after a pot of coffee is brewed.
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/laws-definitions.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFylYYMjVcs
- ↑ Michael Reynolds. Professional Fishing Instructor. Expert Interview. 26 February 2021.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ3NMoP8U24
- ↑ Michael Reynolds. Professional Fishing Instructor. Expert Interview. 26 February 2021.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ3NMoP8U24
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZBc9ZW-LYQ
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZBc9ZW-LYQ
About This Article
To keep fishing worms alive for fishing, start by placing them in an opaque plastic or styrofoam container along with any soil or shredded newspaper that they came in. Then, close the container and store the worms in the fridge for up to a month. Once a week, feed the worms by sprinkling 2-3 tablespoons of used coffee grounds or worm food into their container. If the bedding inside the container starts to dry out, add a few drops of water to it so it stays moist. To learn how to store worms in a worm box, scroll down!
Reader Success Stories
"I have heard of the different ways to grow and keep worms alive, but now I am sure, because I followed your instructions and it works is well. I hope that I won't have to buy any more worms for a while as long as I follow the instructions you gave me. Thank you very much for all the ways to keep the worms growing and live."..." more
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