Breeding Canadian nightcrawlers?

[bitsandbass]

Could I get some at Walmart, throw some compost in a tote, drill holes in the tote, and hope for the best?

 

Or is it a lot more involved?  Have you guys tried this before?  Not a big deal to buy $4 worms at the Mart but still, it would be nice just to have a fresh supply in my garage spring to fall. 

 

And as for feed, would grass clippings work?

 

[Sam]

I looked into Nightcrawlers and Red Wigglers and went with the Wigglers in a round metal tub that I kept under the house with a lid on it as those little suckers can climb the sides.

 

I did my research and noted it was easier to keep the Wigglers alive then Nighcrawlers.

 

Hit YouTube or Google breeding Nightcrawlers and see what you can find out.

 

Had to stop doing it as it attracted mice which attracted the black snakes and my wife was having tizzy fits about the black snakes under our deck.

 

Let us know what you find out and what you decide to do.

[WRB]

You haven't added where you are located at in your profile, what state as a minimum helps.

Canadian nightcrawlers need to be kept cool place without light. I also suggest you go online and do your research as to what type of mulch/bedding and food is needed. 

Tom

[FishDewd]

I've had some for a few years now, though I do add some new ones now and then since I use some, and some die. I use a quart or so sized container lined on the inside with newspaper. For dirt I use a bag I found at home depot that contains earth worm casings. They seem to really like it. As far as food: they will eat grease, newspaper, and coffee grounds. Make sure the coffee grounds and used and well dried before putting it in. They don't seem to like moisture, it can make the soil and newspaper mold which will kill the worms. They're pretty easy to care for really. Mine are Canadians and I keep them in the crisper drawer of a spare refrigerator.

[mattkenzer]

I thought everyone waited for a rain day, a few hours after sunset, went out on their front lawn and picked up all the Nightcrawlers you need ......

 

PS: There is a skill to catching them which is taught at a very young age in my part of the World.

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, mattkenzer said:

I thought everyone waited for a rain day, a few hours after sunset, went out on their front lawn and picked up all the Nightcrawlers you need ......

 

PS: There is a skill to catching them which is taught at a very young age in my part of the World.

For sure.

Did this as a kid night before most every fishing trip.

It was almost as much fum as the fishing  . . . . 

My Dad's tomato garden has loaded with so real Fatties !

He didn't really want me taking too many though

A-Jay

 

 

[12poundbass]

Play this and you'll have more than you know what to do.

 

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Play this and you'll have more than you know what to do.

 

Not certain we're talking about the same thing here my friend . . 

A-Jay

[12poundbass]

1 minute ago, A-Jay said:

Not certain we're talking about the same thing here my friend . . 

A-Jay

Nightcrawlers have ears....don't they? LOL

18 minutes ago, mattkenzer said:

I thought everyone waited for a rain day, a few hours after sunset, went out on their front lawn and picked up all the Nightcrawlers you need ......

 

PS: There is a skill to catching them which is taught at a very young age in my part of the World.

I do remember doing this as a kid! Brings back some good memories. 

[mattkenzer]

38 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

For sure.

Did this as a kid night before most every fishing trip.

It was almost as much fum as the fishing  . . . . 

My Dad's tomato garden has loaded with so real Fatties !

He didn't really want me taking too many though

A-Jay

 

 

I understand completely.

My Dad controlled the quantity of Nightcrawlers removed so that we would not affect Lawn Aeration.

[FishDewd]

I'll get some from the yard if desperate but they're always small and skinny and not too much good for fishing. Be better off using katydids or crickets.

[scaleface]

I use to sell night crawlers as a kid . Picked them up after a rain and kept them in a styrofoam cooler in the cellar . I just used black soil from   the backyard and would add coffee grounds . I heard they ate coffee grounds . The worms that  sold the best were the green worms   i dug out of a creek . They were stiff ,  brittle and full of poop . Those things I didnt have to try to keep alive , they were in high demand .

[Ratherbfishing]

If they're anything like Canadian Geese, they'll crap on EVERYTHING.

[bitsandbass]

Thanks for all the tips.  I live in MA and my basement is in the 60s I think.  I believe it should be cool enough.  A big tote + compost would probably be a good place to start.

 

It's late in the season to do it this year but I may do it next year.  Heck it would be great to use the leftovers to aerate my lawn!

 

BTW - my grass is too tall (4inches) & thick to catch nightcralwers.  You cant see them underneath. 

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[bitsandbass]

Do you think I could keep them in my garage over the winter?  It doesnt drop below freezing in there but I'm guessing it gets into the low 40s. 

 

Would the worms survive seeing as though they are in a raised tote vs underground?

 

Also, what worm do you guys recommend breeding?

[Fishingmickey]

Your basement sounds perfect. I used to cheat as a kid in the summertime and put out the sprinkler for several hours in the afternoon. Then get out the flashlight and cover the lens with a cloth so it wasn't too bright. You can probably pick up enough to get you going Bitsand.  Shredded newspapers and coffee grounds. I used to also use leaf mulch and some compost mixed in.

FM

[bitsandbass]

Yeah I think my basement ranges from low 40s to high 60s during the year.

 

I'd probably only need them in April next year.  Heck, thats a long time to keep them.  Not sure if I would get any mature bred worms by Oct for fall fishing so Im probably looking at spring.

 

Do you think its worth trying to keep them over the winter?  Too much of a hassle?

[Fishingmickey]

I don't think it is much hassle to keep them. I'd think Google would be able to give you some access to excellent care instructions. If your only going to use them a couple of times of the year. Probably not worth the bother, just order them prior to your April jaunt.

FM