What Should You Not Feed Worms?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Onions and garlic (a good rule of thumb is if it makes you smell, it makes your worm bin smell) Meat, fats, grease, bones or oils (no butter, lard, stocks, soups, etc) Plastics and plastic coated paper (like glossy magazines)

What do worms hate?

Worms hate: meat or fish, cheese, butter, greasy food, animal waste, spicy and salty foods, citrus .” The food-to-worm ratio is not precise, nor is the amount of castings they will produce. The rule of thumb is that a pound of worms will eat one to two pounds of food in a week.

What is the best food for worms?

  • #1 Leafy Green Vegetables. Worms love lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, to name a few of these vegetables. ...
  • #2 Melons/Squash and Pumpkins. ...
  • #3 Broccoli. ...
  • #4 Apples. ...
  • #5 SURPRISE: Pasta. ...
  • Note: Worms can eat most fruits and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, used tea leaves, etc.

What can you feed worms to keep alive?

Feed them about once a week.

You can purchase a powdered worm food from a bait supply store or make your own worm food by blending fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds, or eggshells . To feed the worms, sprinkle a light layer the worm food over the top of the worm box.

Can you feed worms dairy?

Worms can’t digest meat proteins or lactose, so no dairy products either , like milk or cheese. While worms do like egg shells, the egg cannot go in the bin. Citrus and salt can actually harm the skin of the worms.

What is poisonous to worms?

Avoid feeding the worms large quantities of meat , citrus, onions and dairy foods. Some processed food also contains preservatives, which discourage the worms from eating it. These foods won’t harm your worms, but they will avoid them and those scraps will break down and rot in the bin.

Do worms like coffee grounds?

Earthworms are also able to use this food source. Earthworms consume coffee grounds and deposit them deep in soil . This may account for noted improvements in soil structure such as increased aggregation.

Do worms eat banana peels?

Bananas are a great and inexpensive snack for both us and our worms. Those peels are desirable to compost worms no matter what shape they’re in. They’ll make short work of what otherwise would have taken up space in your trash. ... To make food easier for the worms to consume it is good to chop or puree it.

Can worms eat dog food?

Dry dog food , moistened in water, is an nutritious meal for the worms, too. So if the dogs bowl has some left over, dampen it and add to the mix for some variety. Cardboard, oddly enough, is a great source of food.

Does touching worms hurt them?

Some species can release a stinging substance . Earthworms and red wriggler worms are perfectly safe to hold bare-handed, though it’s probably prudent to wash your hands before eating your next meal.

What to feed red worms to keep them alive?

The worms will feed on kitchen scraps . However, do not give them anything oily, any dairy products, nor any meat. These foods will make the bin rancid and attract vermin. Also, acidic foods such as tomatoes, citrus, and pineapple should be avoided.

What can I feed worms in a worm bed?

  • Leftover vegetable scraps, fruit and vegetable peelings.
  • Tea leaves / bags and coffee grounds.
  • Vacuum cleaner dust or hair clippings (also animal)
  • Torn up newspapers, egg cartons or soaked pizza cartons.
  • Crushed egg shells (these will also help with the pH balance)

Do worms eat eggshells?

eggshells – worms simply can’t eat them . ... Eggshells are good for the garden, so if you crush them up, and put them in the worm farm, they’ll end up adding calcium to your soil. Eggshells don’t harm the worms, but can look a little unsightly in the gardenbeds. It’s up to you whether you put eggshells in.

Can worms eat potatoes?

When vermiculture feeding, basically go “green.” Worms will eat almost anything that you would put in a traditional compost bin such as coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, plant waste, and tea leaves. ... Some “DON’TS” in the feeding of worms are: Do not add salty or oily foods. Do not add tomatoes or potatoes.

Do worms eat rice?

Bread, rice, pasta, processed foods – you can add the odd crust or bits of cooked rice off the dinner plate, but don’t add lots of starchy foods. Worms don’t like them and they may go off or attract pests. ... Worms love coffee grounds but mix them with other foods and paper.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.