What would be a good bedding for Nightcrawlers?

For raising nightcrawlers, a good bedding should be moist, loose, and organic to allow for proper aeration, burrowing, and nutrient retention. Here are some of the best bedding options:

1. Shredded Newspaper or Cardboard

✅ Cheap and readily available
✅ Holds moisture well
✅ Allows for good aeration
🚫 Avoid glossy or colored prints (toxic inks)

2. Aged Compost or Leaf Litter

✅ Nutrient-rich and mimics their natural habitat
✅ Provides some food in addition to bedding
🚫 Avoid fresh compost (too hot and acidic)

3. Coconut Coir (Coco Peat)

✅ Retains moisture without getting too compacted
✅ pH neutral and chemical-free
🚫 Needs to be hydrated before use

4. Peat Moss (with pH Adjustment)

✅ Good for moisture retention
🚫 Naturally acidic—must be balanced with crushed eggshells or agricultural lime

5. Organic Topsoil or Aged Potting Soil (Chemical-Free)

✅ Mimics a natural burrowing environment
🚫 Must be free of fertilizers, perlite, or other additives

Best Bedding Mix for Nightcrawlers:

For the best results, mix different bedding materials. A great mix could be:

• 50% shredded newspaper/cardboard
• 25% coconut coir or peat moss (neutralized)
• 25% aged compost or leaf litter

Moisture Tip: Keep the bedding as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Too wet, and they’ll suffocate; too dry, and they won’t thrive.