Earthworms are great in compost areas because they break down organic matter quickly and turn it into rich soil, even though they are often used as bait for fishermen.Gathering a few worms for your garden, worm farm, or compost pile is easy if you know when to look for them.It is free to gather earthworms, and it is a great activity for the kids to do as well.
Step 1: Pick out your equipment.
You will need a shovel or spade, and a container filled with moist soil and leaves.It is a good time to look for earthworms when you are digging a foundation or gardening.You can find different types of earthworms if you go deeper than the surface.There is a dress for gardening.You are likely going to get dirty as you dig through the soil for worms.You can wear old clothes, knee pads, gardening gloves and gardening boots.
Step 2: Don't forget to dig for worms.
You can begin digging a small hole by selecting a patch of ground.You can collect worms when you sift through the soil.A stream or water source is an excellent place to dig for worms.It's possible to dig in a community garden or forest floor, but you should avoid digging in privately owned golf courses, fields, and public parks.If you can, be as quiet as possible.There are rocks, logs, and other items lying on the ground.
Step 3: Carefully dig around worms.
Setae are bristles that help worms move through the earth.It might be difficult to pull worms out of the ground.Be careful not to cut the worm, as it is trying to burrow back into the ground.You can put the worm in your storage container once you loosen the soil.
Step 4: Continue until you have collected your worms.
When you have exhausted a patch of ground, dig a new hole a couple feet away.When you are done with the digging and searching, replace the soil.
Step 5: You can put a piece of wet cardboard on the lawn.
This is the night before your worm hunting.This will attract worms.
Step 6: Put your tools together.
Earthworms surface at night in order to feed on organic matter.You can collect earthworms at night without having to dig.You don't need fancy tools for earthworm hunting, but you should take a flashlight with a red or dull light in it.Earthworms can sense light, but will shy away from a bright flashlight.A shovel or spade can be used to move soil.
Step 7: Take care of your worm container.
Styrofoam, metal, plastic, glass, and cardboard can be used in a container.It should be filled three-quarters of the way with moist soil and covered with dead, wet leaves.The leaves will help keep the soil moist.A butter tub, coffee can, jar, ice cream tub are some of the things that can be used.Before storing worms in your container, make sure it is empty and clean.The holes in the lid need to be large enough to allow air to pass through, but not so large that the worms can wriggle their way out.
Step 8: Wait for the sun to set.
Go to your front yard, backyard or garden when it happens.You can try a forest, field, or a golf course.Walk slowly and quietly.Worms can sense sound.If it has been raining, you can hunt for worms.During rainstorms or when the ground is wet, worms come above to migrate.After the next storm, look for worms on the lawn, sidewalk, and driveway.
Step 9: You can use your flashlight to look for worms.
Store them in your container when you find them.If the worms sense you coming, they will wriggle back into the soil.Earthworms don't like cold or hot, so they are active in the spring and fall.They will be active during summer nights.There are small piles of soil on the surface of the ground that are evidence of earthworm activity.
Step 10: You can see under the cardboard.
Turn over logs and stones.If you want to find worms, turn over anything lying on the ground.If you are having trouble finding worms, use your spade or shovel to turn over leaves and the top layer of soil.
Step 11: You need to assemble your tools and equipment.
Worm charming is the process of using vibrations to lure earthworms out of the ground.You will need a worm container, a wooden stake, and a metal file for this activity.If you don't have a rooping iron, you can use a handsaw, but you will need a hammer to drive the stake into the ground.
Step 12: You can choose your location.
The best location for worm charming is in a shady field or wooded area.It's even better near a small body of water.
Step 13: The stake should be driven into the earth.
The stake should be driven halfway into the ground by using the rooping iron or hammer.
Step 14: The iron should be run over the stake.
To drive the worms from the ground, you need to recreate the vibrations that burrowing moles make when they dig.The file should be run over the flat top of the stake at a medium pace.The earthworms will make their way to the surface to escape the predator they think is near.You should be prepared to collect the worms when they surface in your container.