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How to Raise Worms for Fish Bait

How to Raise Worms for Fish Bait

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If you're a freshwater angler, you probably use worms for some of your fishing, but continually having to buy them can add up over the long term. Raising your own worms is easy--they aren't picky about their housing--and is a fun project for kids, too. After an initial purchase of worms for your worm farm, it won't be long before you can grab some and head out to the fishing hole.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Large plastic container, box or bin Shredded newspaper Soil Kitchen waste
  • Large plastic container, box or bin
  • Shredded newspaper
  • Soil
  • Kitchen waste
Step 1
Select a plastic container, box or bin that is about 1 foot high, 2 feet wide and 3 feet long. Make sure the container has drain holes in the bottom so it will not flood with water and kill the worms.
Step 2
Choose a location outside or in your garage where the temperature ranges from 60 to 80 degrees. Place the container close to your kitchen so it will be convenient for you to place waste in it for the worms to eat.
Step 3
Shred about 10 pounds of newspaper into one-inch strips. You also could use shredded cardboard or computer paper. If using computer paper, don't use any paper with colored ink, as it may be toxic to your worms and kill them.
Step 4
Place the shredded paper into the bin and add about one gallon of soil from your garden.
Step 5
Add four gallons of water to the bin and mix it with the newspaper and soil. The mixture should be moist but not bogged down with water. Allow the bin to sit for two days before you add your worms.
Step 6
Add two pounds of worms to the bin and spread them over the top of the material. The worms will crawl underneath the bedding.
Step 7
Feed the worms every day, several times a week or once a week. Add vegetable leavings and coffee or tea grinds from your kitchen to the bin. Push back the bedding and place the material about one inch under the surface, then re-cover.
Step 8
Harvest your worms in about two months. Remove the bigger ones and leave the smaller ones to grow. Add fresh bedding to your bin at this time.

Tips & Warnings

 
Have someone feed your worms for you if you plan to be away from home for several weeks.

Article Written By Joyce Starr

Joyce Starr is a professional writer from Florida and owns a landscaping company and garden center. She has published articles about camping in Florida, lawn care and gardening and writes for a local gardening newsletter. She shares her love and knowledge of the outdoors and nature through her writing.

Write for Trails.com

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