Can You Raise Nightcrawlers Above Red Wigglers?
Mark E.
Raising nightcrawlers (European or Canadian) in a bin above your red wigglers inside the Worm Factory 360 is tricky but possible with some considerations!
Can You Raise Nightcrawlers Above Red Wigglers?
✅ Yes, but…
- Different needs: Nightcrawlers prefer a deeper, looser soil-like environment, while red wigglers thrive in shallow composting layers.
- Different diets: Red wigglers process kitchen scraps quickly, while nightcrawlers prefer decaying organic material and high-carbon food.
- Temperature considerations: If conditions get too warm for nightcrawlers (above 70°F), they may struggle.
How to Make It Work in the Worm Factory 360
✔ Bottom Bins → Red Wigglers (for composting)
✔ Top Bin → Nightcrawlers (for growing/breeding)
💡 Tip: Keep the top bin’s bedding looser & more fibrous to accommodate nightcrawlers.
What to Feed Nightcrawlers?
🌿 Best Foods for Nightcrawlers:
- Leaf litter, aged grass clippings
- Shredded cardboard & paper (moistened)
- Ground-up cornmeal, oats, wheat bran (for breeding)
- Soft fruit & veggie scraps (smaller amounts than red wigglers)
- Crushed eggshells (for calcium)
❌ Avoid: Too many wet food scraps (can create anaerobic conditions).
Potential Challenges:
- Nightcrawlers may burrow down to the lower trays (mixing with red wigglers).
- Moisture balance: Nightcrawlers prefer slightly drier conditions than red wigglers.
- Escape risk: Nightcrawlers tend to roam, so a secure lid is a must!
Alternative Setup Idea
If you want to breed nightcrawlers efficiently, you may have better success keeping them in a separate, deeper bin with looser bedding instead of stacking them over red wigglers.