Culturing feeder earthworms

[nsducktoller]

I see lots of discussion about red wigglers/compost worms (Eisenia foetida) being toxic when used as feeders. There are stories that they are toxic to garter snakes, fish, and/or amphibians but other keepers have raised animals feeding red wigglers exclusively. There are also claims that the coelomic fluid E. foetida produces is distasteful but not actually toxic, and that the European nightcrawler E. hortensis is better tasting. I have often used Canadian nightcrawlers (Lumbricus terrestris) as feeders but these are very difficult to cultivate and since they are wild collected, often from golf courses, they may be contaminated with fertilizer, pesticides etc. Can anyone offer other than anecdotal evidence that red wigglers are in fact toxic? Does it depend on what they have been eating? Does it make a difference if they have been composting kitchen waste vs manure? What about using the African nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) instead? I'm considering raising earthworms and wondering what species to choose. I also have rabbits and wouldn't mind using their manure to compost if it won't harm my pets when fed worms raised that way.

 

[Jennewt]

I would hesitate to raise worms on manure to use as feeders. I would worry about carry-over of manure in their guts.

I recall someone did try raising African nightcrawlers as feeders, but never heard if it was successful.