European Nightcrawlers - Eisenia hortensis - The European Nightcrawlers are also known as Giant Redworms, Belgium Worms, Big Reds, Super Reds, Carolina Crawlers, and Blue Worms, were introduced into the United States
from Europe in the late 1990s. Since that time, European Nightcrawlers are becoming more and more popular as both a
large composting earthworm and an all around great fishing worm here in the states. European Nightcrawlers grow
three to eight inches long and thick as a pencil. They are cousins of Eisenia Fetida or Red Wiggler, and are raised in the same fashion. The red wiggler in the photo doesn't have a visible band just yet. The ideal temperature for most worms is between 55 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. European Nightcrawlers
can stand temperatures as low as 45 degrees F. Ideal growth is achieved between 60* and 70* F. Peat moss, moist newspaper or a combination is perfect for bedding. The European Nightcrawler prefers bedding that
is moist but not wet. If you squeeze a handful of peat bedding, you should produce only a couple of drops.
If the substrate is to wet, European Nightcrawlers will try to escape.The bedding should be about 6-8" deep.
European Nightcrawlers eat a diet rich in garbage and are great for composting kitchen scraps. Many feed European Nightcrawlers chicken egg laying
mash as a supplement to ensure proper calcium levels. Rabbit feed mixed with ground egg shells is also a good supplement. Do not mix grain feed into the bedding as this will cause it to sour. Top feed only.
European Nightcrawlers (Eisenia hortensis) are prolific breeders. The Euros need a little more room to reach their size potential whereas fetida thrive in crowded confined areas.
Average reproduction rate of hortensis is about 1.1 - 2 worms per cocoon, but I believe this may be a little higher
under ideal conditions. Incubation is generally 40-125 days under ideal conditions and time to sexual maturity
is 55-85 days under ideal conditions. The warmer the temp, the quicker the worms will reach reach sexual maturity. Not long after setting up
your bin, you will see many egg capsules. The European Nightcrawlers will lay eggs near where the food is placed. You can create a bin out of
anything that will hold bedding.
