It is the most popular variety because of its hardiness and ability to tolerate large concentrations of decaying organic matter. The primary bait worm raised in the United States is the red earthworm ( Lumbricus rubellus). Most commercially raised worms live in surface litter and feed on decaying organic matter. A quart container holds about 250 and a half-pint container about 50 red earthworms.
A pound of red earthworms (approximately 500 worms) will fit into a gallon container. Various types of containers can be used, including paper sacks, paperboard cartons, and cups made of paper, plastic, or Styrofoam. Worms can be sold directly to fishermen and gardeners or wholesale to bait shops. This will mean offering high quality earthworms in various sizes of containers at attractive prices, opening early in the morning for fishermen, and maintaining personal contact with customers or retailers. You must provide what customers want at the time they want it. Earthworms sold for animal feeds, home gardens, or organic waste disposal systems are usually sold in quantities of a pound or while earthworms for bait are generally sold in smaller containers.ĭemand is seasonal and location is often critical to marketing success. The most important issue that a potential earthworm grower faces is sufficient market demand. Data on the value of earthworms sold in the United States is not available, but the market is large enough to support the importation of worms from Canada.
Composting is a growing opportunity for earthworm producers since many homeowners and municipalities are searching for environmentally friendly ways to manage organic wastes. These represent sizable marketing opportunities for earthworms.Īccording to the latest National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, there are 30 million recreational fishermen who spend in excess of $40 billion per year in the United States. MarketingĮarthworm producers have access to two main markets for their worms: If you live on a farm, you may already have much of the materials required for constructing the worm beds and feeding the worms. A small enterprise can be handled with family labor. An operation with one or two worm beds requires only minimal setup costs, maintenance, and labor. Earthworm production is an enterprise that could be suitable for many small land owners.
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