How to Breed Nightcrawlers for Fishing & Composting?

🐛 How to Breed Nightcrawlers for Fishing & Composting

Since nightcrawlers prefer deep, loose environments, you may have better success breeding them in a separate, deeper bin instead of stacking them above your red wigglers in the Worm Factory 360. Here’s how you can do it right!

📦 Best Bin Setup for Breeding Nightcrawlers

✅ Choose a Deep Bin

• A 10–20-gallon plastic tote with a tight lid (to prevent escape).
• Drill small air holes on the sides & lid for ventilation.
• Depth of at least 12–18 inches for burrowing space.

✅ Bedding Material (Loose & Moist)

• Shredded cardboard & newspaper (moistened but not soaking).
• Aged compost, coconut coir, or peat moss for a soft, loose texture.
• Crushed eggshells (adds calcium & helps with pH balance).

✅ Ideal Conditions

• Temperature: 50–70°F (10–21°C) (cooler than red wigglers prefer).
• Moisture: Bedding should feel like a damp sponge.
• Dark Location: Keep in a cool, dark spot (basement, closet, garage).

🍎 What to Feed Nightcrawlers for Growth & Breeding

🌿 Best Nightcrawler Foods:

• Leaf litter & aged grass clippings (natural food source).
• Ground cornmeal, wheat bran, or oats (protein-rich, good for breeding).
• Small fruit & veggie scraps (like cucumber, apple peels, pumpkin).
• Coffee grounds & filters (moderation, not too acidic).
• Crushed eggshells (helps digestion & egg production).

❌ Avoid: Too much wet food, meat, dairy, onions, citrus, or salty foods.

💙 How to Breed Nightcrawlers Successfully

• Start with ~50-100 nightcrawlers for best results.
• Feed lightly at first, then increase as they consume food.
• Keep bedding loose & undisturbed to encourage cocoon laying.
• Check every 2-3 weeks for cocoons (small yellowish balls).
• In 3-5 weeks, new baby worms hatch!

🎣 Harvesting Nightcrawlers for Fishing

• Sift through bedding every 2-3 months to separate worms from castings.
• Store in a ventilated bait box with damp newspaper in the fridge (~40°F).
• Feed lightly while storing to keep them healthy.