Breeding the red Californian worm (KKCh) at home is a very profitable occupation, because the food for the KKCh is any organic waste that is processed by the worm into a balanced environmentally friendly biohumus fertilizer. Also, the Californian worm multiplies very quickly, which allows the worm to be sold biomass and by the piece to fishermen's shops and agricultural enterprises, as protein supplements for animals and birds.

The best type of earthworm for breeding in domestic and industrial conditions is the red California worm. Before buying worms, please note that the worms must be mobile and red in color. At first, the worm should be in its native substrate in order to get used to the new food.

A high-quality breeding stock of the red California worm (family) should consist of at least 1500 individuals.

For breeding at home, the California worm is used in boxes, piles (lodges), compost heaps or pits. Organic waste is used as food for worms: manure, bird droppings, plant tops, fallen leaves, straw, wood chips, sawdust, food vegetable waste, cardboard, paper, etc.

The basic rules for preparing the substrate (compost) for the further colonization of worms:

• do not use chlorinated water to moisten the compost. Chlorine is poison for worms. If the water is chlorinated, you need to stand it for 2-3 days, the chlorine will go away, you can also use rainwater
• it is forbidden to use fresh manure, because in the process of manure burning, its temperature will rise to 70-800C and the worm will die
• it is not recommended to use old manure that has lain for more than 3 years, it contains a small amount of useful substances for worms.

Organic waste is collected in heaps and moistened. In this way, they rot for 1-3 months.

Compost pile dimensions:

• collar width 1.2-2 meters
• height 20-30 cm
• any length.

The California worm easily gets used to different feeds, therefore, when using different composts, we recommend doing a trial colonization. A little ready-made substrate is placed in the box and 50-100 adult worms are populated. If in a day they are all alive, then the compost is suitable for further settlement. If 5-10 worms died, then the reason for this may be increased acidity or alkalinity. With increased acidity, add a little limestone or ordinary chalk, with increased alkalinity, add straw or sawdust to the compost, you can also add tops of plants.

Favorable conditions for breeding the California worm:

• acidity 6.5-7.5 PH
• temperature 15-220C
• compost humidity 70-80%.

Breeding of Californian worms at home begins in the warm season, the worm is settled in compost, 1-3 families per 1 m2, and after a couple of months they begin to select worms that have already multiplied. The worm is chosen in this way: the worm is not fed for 2-3 days, so that they get a little hungry, and then 7-10 cm of fresh compost are placed on top of the heap or box, and this layer is removed in a day. The main amount of worms, up to 60-80%, enters the fresh compost. Only the juveniles and cocoons of the worm remain in the lower substrate. We repeat the procedure for sampling worms several times. It is not possible to select all the worms in this way, 3-4% remains in the processed compost, which is already a fertilizer - biohumus. Worms selected in this way are populated in new heaps, boxes, or used for sale.

With the onset of winter and temperatures below -50C, the piles must be well insulated. To do this, fresh compost or fermented manure 25-40 cm thick is laid on the piles, watered and covered with hay or straw 40-50 cm high. The top layer of 5-10 cm will probably freeze in winter, but it will not pose a mortal danger to worms, since it is a heat insulator. In the spring, the worms will feed on the top layer compost, 2/3 of your heap will already be biohumus.

Numerous fishing enthusiasts are well aware of such an indispensable attribute of their hobby as Californian red worms, but even the most avid of them do not always know what exactly is called what they use as bait. And even more so, they do not suspect that they can be used not only in this capacity, but also in at least several others.

Types of earthworms

Let's start with the fact that worms are the most common type of invertebrates on the entire planet, and their habitat does not include Antarctica. In fact, there are a huge number of their types and subspecies. Biologists distinguish three main categories, depending on the behavior of worms in their natural environment. These are Anecic, Endogeic and Epigeic.

The first species "prefers" existence on the surface of the soil, and these worms dig deep into the holes, usually vertically down. The main food for this species is organic matter, which they process into humus. This category is characterized by an instant extinction of activity and the ability to reproduce when moving from the usual habitat to any other, including artificial, which, for example, is necessary when breeding them. This variety plays a crucial role in soil formation, and its practical use is limited to natural soil formation without human intervention. Plus anglers use it as bait.

The second type "prefers" a more mineralized soil, in which there is much less organic matter. Worms of this category dig horizontal holes, do not like the surface and need constant processing of the soil. Thus, they saturate the earth with various nutrients, enriching it for further use by vegetation, and also increase the oxygen content in it. The use of this variety of earthworms is also mostly uncontrolled and is mostly natural.

The third type is the one that will be discussed in the article, since it is Californian worms, as they are also called, that can easily endure artificial living conditions, and their use has a specific economic benefit. This species prefers the top layer of soil for life, and to be more precise, all kinds of organic matter, which it is so rich in. These are leaves, the remains of trees, bark and so on. Californian worms do not dig deep and branched systems of passages.

The popularity of this species from an economic point of view is due to the possibility of its breeding in artificial habitats. The main factor is only the presence of a sufficient amount of organic material, which is quite easy to implement, as well as the absence of the need to use a deep layer of soil. Breeding California worms involves a number of important technical issues that should be considered.

Worm business

To understand the basics of worm breeding, it is necessary to give several definitions used by professionals in this field of activity.

Compost is a fertilizer obtained from organic waste as a result of their decomposition with the direct participation of microorganisms. The most common sources for its manufacture are peat, manure, bird droppings, foliage and a variety of garden waste.

Vermicompost, or biohumus, is a product of compost processing by earthworms, bacteria and some other organisms. In particular, California worms can be used as a result of certain breeding work to improve the overall quality of the fertilizer output from the production activity.

The production of vermicompost is the main driving force behind the worm breeding business, as this product is in certain demand. And not only within the framework of the domestic segment of agricultural activity, but even abroad, which should also be considered when preparing plans for the development of one's own business in this area. And although such a business may include the very distribution of worms and their cocoons as a completely self-sufficient part of it, biohumus is the most profitable investment.

Using vermicompost

The most common application of this fertilizer is associated with the cultivation of various vegetable crops. This applies not only to greenhouse forms like tomatoes or cucumbers, but also potatoes. The increase in yield achieved with the use of vermicompost reaches 40%. Biohumus is also extremely effective in growing strawberries, wild strawberries and other types of berries cultivated in different regions. At the same time, they are characterized by an increase in productivity up to 60%. Obviously, the use of this fertilizer is in good demand, which means that it can be easily sold and made money on it.

We should not forget about the rich importers of vermicompost. For example, the countries of the Arab world, in particular the UAE, widely use vermicompost for growing various crops, collecting up to three crops per season. At the same time, they pay well for high-quality vermicompost. Thus, the cost of one ton of products fluctuates in the range of 2 thousand dollars. In Europe, biohumus is bought for 600 euros, which also looks very attractive. In Russia, these products are not so valuable, for example, a forty-liter package costs about 400 rubles. That is, with a competent approach to advertising and sales, you can still earn money by selling vermicompost. However, to get into this market, you will have to work hard and not only earn a good name, but also create a really effective production structure.

Main economy

Since the article deals with the cultivation of the California worm, you should know the main advantages of its use from an economic point of view. And although there is an opinion among the people about the incredible characteristics of this variety, this should not be led. Advertising activities in this area really inflate the numbers to incredible proportions. California red worms are reported to live up to 15 to 16 years, which is a common misconception. In fact, the life expectancy of individuals does not differ much from that of their domestic relatives, amounting to a period of 5-6 years.

California worms allegedly exist in temperature conditions from 2 to 40 degrees. This is also not true, their activity practically disappears already at 35 degrees, not to mention the fact that at 4 degrees they begin to die. In general, all advertising tricks are quite obvious. Despite all this, the Californian worm still has some advantages over its domestic counterparts, so it is profitable to buy it just to create your own business.

Real Pros

Among the widely advertised pluses that really take place, one can mention activity even in the winter season, which cannot be said about the rain variety, as well as the compactness of the populations that Californian worms prefer to live in (by the way, their photo can be seen at the beginning of the review).
In addition, it is necessary to note the higher level of reproduction of this species in comparison with the usual one. And although advertising exaggeration also takes place here, the figures are called almost ten times, in fact this figure is somewhere in one and a half to two times higher. So California worms still have obvious advantages, which determines the choice of many zealous hosts.

Breeding

The breeding process can be considered in two main forms: in industrial, when it is necessary to work with large quantity individuals, and home, when an ordinary garden plot can also become a source of good income.

Breeding California worms involves the proper organization of activities and following certain guidelines. Consider the main points of creating your own business, first within the garden plot, and then in an industrial setting.

gardening

The California worm is purchased in the form of either adults, or fry, or in cocoons, depending on the season, financial possibilities, etc. In the garden plot, it is necessary to prepare a square pit a meter per meter and a depth of about 70 cm. So that the worms do not set off to explore the expanses of a garden partnership, you should tamp its lower surface and cover the walls with boards. The nutrient medium, or, as it is also called, the substrate with worms, falls into the pit and is carefully leveled with a pitchfork. Then a layer of simple substrate is added. To obtain vermicompost, it is necessary to carry out the so-called extract of worms.

Naturally, several weeks must pass before obtaining biohumus of normal quality, so that the worms have time to process the nutrient medium. The hood is the addition of a substrate layer on top, its thorough loosening, after which the worms crawl out into this upper layer. Next, you need to carefully remove this layer, saturated with them, and transfer it to a new hole to continue the cycle of creating vermicompost. The average extraction time is about three to four weeks.

The resulting layer of recycled compost is sieved, dried, after which it can be sold at a price that an enterprising businessman can negotiate with a fertilizer customer. Well, the worms continue their labor activity in the next pit, performing a cycle of developing new products. This is how Californian worms are mainly used at home.

Another important point is the production of the substrate. The waste at hand is shredded. It can be paper, straw, tops or any other organic filler. The resulting mass is located near the pit and is watered with liquid manure. The humidity to be created is about 80%. Checking whether this mass is sufficiently moistened is very simple. If nearby worms do not crawl into it, you must continue to water. The substrate must be loosened once every two weeks.

From the point of view of small investments in the business, it is the Californian worm that is convenient. Breeding at home does not require serious investment, you just need a sufficient amount of patience and interest in this matter, because, obviously, you have to deal with creatures swarming in the ground and in the presence of not very pleasant smells. In any case, this is a job for true enthusiasts.

Industrial volumes

If we are talking about a professional approach to how to breed a California worm, then there are certain nuances. In the previous section, we talked about the number of individuals in 10-20 thousand pieces. When it comes to the volume of a million worms, the approach is somewhat different.

This requires from 10 to 15 square meters. meters of indoor area. The temperature to be maintained is in the range of 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. Natural ventilation and artificial lighting will be required, plus a water supply, preferably non-domestic, as chlorinated water can kill the entire population. Well or river water is quite suitable.

Careful attention should be paid to protecting the premises from rodents, which can easily destroy a large part of the colony. That is, you will need a hard coating of the floor, as well as walls. The height of the mother liquor should be from two to two and a half meters. Breeding California worms as a business is an activity that requires the same thorough preparation as any high-tech field.

You will also need to purchase racks on which trays with colonies of worms will be located. Boxes are best used perforated, made of plastic, to ensure the required level of oxygen and easy removal of excess fluid. In each tray, a population density of up to 20 thousand individuals should be planned.

To make a substrate in an enclosed space, it is necessary to spread manure or planned organic waste in a layer of 20 cm and cover with a film. The temperature should be around 55 degrees Celsius. A day later, the resulting mass must be brought to 30 degrees and moistened to 80%. The resulting substrate is laid out in boxes with a layer of 5 cm. At the same time, good ventilation should be remembered in order to remove the resulting gases from the room.

The next stage is the habituation of worms to a new climate for them, and then to the substrate. Crates of new formula are placed on top of the worm trays. The next step is simply to maintain the optimal level of humidity in the trays. When the worms process the substrate, the resulting vermicompost is separated, dried, sieved and sold to customers.

Thus, the red Californian worm, the breeding of which can be commercialized, can bring a decent income to an enterprising rural dweller.

Some technical points

The questions considered in the article quite generally reveal an area that has a decent technology, not sticking to which means easily ruining painstaking work for many weeks. Main driving force business - Californian worms. How to breed them is a whole layer of technology that a beginner should know, adjusting environmental conditions to the unpretentious needs of their "workers". However, there are a couple more important questions. For example, what are California worm cocoons and where can I get them?

In fact, worms lay their eggs immediately after mating. Of course, this is very different from the system used, for example, by birds, but the principle is similar. The worms copulate, after which they form a so-called cocoon in the body, which is separated and then, when opened, can contain from one to five small individuals.

There are specialized agricultural firms involved in the supply of this biomass. By the way, as part of your own worm business, you can create a branch of cocoon breeding activities. For this, there is a separate technology that an entrepreneur can also take note of and master.

The convenience of using cocoons in the worm business is due to obvious conditions. The most important thing is transportation, and in terms of breeding, also the value of this product. Therefore, this feature of the reproduction of worms should also be paid attention to when designing your own business related to their breeding.

Conclusion

As already mentioned, there is some publicity euphoria associated with the incredible qualities that the California worms supposedly possess. Public opinion varies within a fairly wide range: from laudatory to degrading. However, obviously, there are certain advantages of this type of worms over the same earthworms, especially in terms of creating your own business for breeding them. Good reproducibility, unpretentiousness, improvement in the quality of fertilizers, in the creation of which they take the most important part - this is not a complete list of pluses.

In addition, there are at least several aspects of the use of Californian worms. Firstly, this is actually the creation of vermicompost as the most valuable and sought-after product on the modern agricultural market. Moreover, the demand for it over the past few years continues to grow steadily. With the increase in production capacity, new opportunities for implementation will also appear. So, now the United Arab Emirates are purchasing biohumus for fabulous money. Of course, you will have to work hard for this, but if an entrepreneur has a desire to produce in this area, then entering the international market is quite real.

Secondly, such a business, obviously, will increase the number of worms on a makeshift farm, if, again, the owner strictly follows the technology. This means that it is possible to sell the "producer" itself, without reducing the capacity, but, on the contrary, increasing the number and improving their living conditions.

Thirdly, it is possible to deal with the supply of so-called cocoons, that is, the offspring of the population. And this is another effective way to make money in the field of worm breeding.

In general, this activity requires not only careful planning, but also a certain amount of enthusiasm and desire to mess with manure and other, to put it mildly, not the most fragrant substances. So business is unusual and for a certain circle of people it can become a source of good stable income and a way of self-expression in an attempt to make this world a little better. In addition, it does not require special investments. Of course, the size of the initial investment depends on the scope of the entrepreneur, but, as a rule, at first, the amount of a thousand dollars to open a business will be more than enough.

Breeding worms at home for beginners is also attracted by the simplicity of the equipment used. The cultivation technology is simple and does not require special knowledge. Also tempting is the lack of special facilities for breeding. In the initial stage, business can be done in an ordinary apartment.

If you have already decided to do such an unusual business, then you should know that you can sell the worms themselves, biohumus and worm tea. Biohumus is an excellent fertilizer.

Worm tea is a unique product that will increase the yield by at least two times. It is effectively used for growing strawberries, indoor plants, for growing vegetables and fruits both in greenhouses and on open ground. In order for a business to develop effectively, it is necessary to create the most comfortable conditions for the life and reproduction of worms.
How to breed earthworms at home and how to make this activity grow into a business - this will be discussed further.

What are the benefits of worms

Earthworms are soil animals that feed on decaying plant debris and animal excretions. They ingest bacteria, algae, nematode protozoa, fungi and their spores. Passing food through their intestines, the worms destroy it and mix it with the ground.

By processing compost heaps, they leave the most valuable forms of humus with high microbiological activity in the soil. Processes take place in the intestines of the worm, as a result of which the decay products of organic substances are converted into molecules of humic acids. Molecules combine with the mineral components of the soil, forming calcium humates. These substances make the soil structural.

The soil processed by worms contains a wide variety of enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, antibiotics, biologically active substances that disinfect the microflora. And the worms in this process play a dominant component. In addition, these animals take an active part in loosening the soil, which makes it water and breathable.

Earthworms are an indicator of the health and fertility of garden soil. If they feel good in your area, then the harvest will be good. Their normal density should not be less than five large worms per 1 square meter of dug up area. If this amount is less, then the land needs organic fertilizer.

You should know that worms help to neutralize the acidity of the soil, as they prefer a neutral environment. They eat straw, loosen the soil, reduce the number of nematodes.

Types of worms

Consider what types of worms you need to buy for breeding and how they differ.

Regular rain

Earthworms are invertebrates whose body consists of ring-shaped segments with short bristles. The body is smooth, slippery, cylindrical in shape, 15-30 cm long. The body of the worm moves based on the setae. The ventral side is flat, the back has a convex shape and a dark color.


The earthworm is a hermaphrodite but reproduces sexually through mating. The thickening on the front is called the girdle. There are glands that secrete a sticky liquid. The animal wraps eggs with mucus during reproduction. A cocoon of mucus protects the eggs from dampness and adverse factors. After a while, small worms come out of it. The life span of an earthworm is 3-4 years.

The earthworm does not have sense organs, but perceives irritations with the help of the nervous system and reacts to them reflexively. It also does not have organs of vision, but it perceives light irritations. Earthworms smell and are capable of regenerating lost body parts.

California red

One type of earthworm is the red California worm, which is often bred at home. Compared to earthworms, Californian earthworms have many advantages in breeding, growing, feeding. This animal reaches 6-8 cm in length and weighs 1 g. Reproduction occurs at the age of three months.


At proper care each individual produces up to 500-1500 pieces of its own kind per season. The California worm is distinguished by both high fertility and longevity. Its life expectancy is about 16 years. The only drawback of the California worm is that it is very thermophilic and does not crawl deep into the ground when the temperature drops.

Prospector

The prospector worm is the result of selection. This species was obtained in 1982 as a result of crossing the southern and northern dung worms. A distinctive characteristic of the animal is the presence of the instinct of self-preservation. At low temperatures, it goes to a safe depth. This species breeds in a much wider temperature range - +8…+29 °С.


The productivity of the prospector worm is higher than the ordinary earthworm. He is unpretentious, does not get sick and is distinguished by perseverance in the substrate. Unlike the red Californian, the prospector worm easily switches from one type of food to another. The reproduction rate and life span are the same as those of the Californian, but this species retains high viability and productivity at a high density of the substrate.

Technology for growing worms at home

In order to get the required amount of vermicompost for fertilizing the garden, you should think about breeding earthworms at home.

The recipe for fertile soil mixture is simple. It is necessary to add 1 kg of sand and 5 kg of biohumus to the black soil per 1 square meter.

How to choose a seat

If you decide to start breeding worms, then you should know that this requires a mini-farm or vermicomposter. The worm can be placed anywhere: on the balcony, in the apartment, in the yard, in the garden, in the garage or any utility room. It should be a place without noise and vibration. In the process of processing, no unpleasant odors come from the structure. The main thing is that the temperature in the room is within acceptable limits.

At temperatures above 36 ° C, the worms will die.

The smell may be emitted by the food. In this case, it must be sprinkled with biohumus or earth.

Types of worms

For breeding worms, wooden or plastic boxes made of food-grade plastic 30-40 cm high are often used. The containers must be ventilated. To do this, use a drill to drill holes in the upper part of the box around the entire perimeter and in the lid over the entire area. Boxes must be installed on the legs at an angle. Then vermicay can drain through the hole in the bottom. Place the dishes for collecting it under the hole.

Worms also feel good in cardboard boxes. They eat pieces of cardboard. True, the boxes get wet, and they often have to be replaced with new ones.
An old refrigerator is also suitable for breeding. It is installed with the door up. Don't forget to make holes for ventilation.


The most convenient, but expensive equipment for breeding worms is a special worm composter. It consists of several plastic boxes, which are installed on top of one another. Each of them has side vents and slots at the bottom for the passage of water. The bottom drawer is placed on legs. A tap for draining vermicai is mounted in its bottom. The top drawer is covered with a blanket to maintain humidity and a plastic lid.

Instructions for making a homemade worm

Consider how to build a vermifarm with your own hands, where to start manufacturing and what tools you will need.

For a homemade worm, the same plastic food boxes are most suitable. They are well installed vertically and go into each other. The box must be solid, without holes, 60 × 40 in size.

The bottom drawer will be used to collect the soil solution, the top ones to contain the worm. From above, you can put three compartments for growing a worm. In the bottom drawer, a series of holes are drilled with a drill on top of the side pieces. But in the corners (up to 10 cm), you should not make holes, because the soil solution will drain through them.

In the second box, you need to make the same holes, but around the entire perimeter. In the bottom of the second box, we make cuts parallel to the stiffeners with the help of a grinder (approximately 8 pcs.). With a chisel, we clean the surface of burrs. We produce 3 boxes of the second type.

At the bottom of the boxes we lay a row of wooden rods as thick as a finger. They will prevent clogging of the bottom holes. It is necessary to sew bags from high-density spunbond fabric. They are laid on top of the rods. It is necessary to cut out the plastic nets to move the worms to a new box. They are used when there is 5 cm left to a full box, and continue to feed the worm. Then, with a full box, the worms will be in the grid, and they can be moved.

We repeat the procedure with resettlement three times until the worm is completely captured. The top cover is made of plywood. Using a drill, we make its perforation.

What equipment will be needed

To breed worms at home, you need to purchase a small amount of equipment: scales, a wheelbarrow, a sieve, a shovel, a pitchfork, a bucket, thermometers for measuring soil and air temperature, a device for measuring soil acidity, racks, boxes for growing worms.

Soil selection

The reproduction and life of worms depends on the quality of the soil. Half of the container must be filled with humus with the addition of crushed cardboard. The soil should have a moisture content of 70-80%. It's easy to check. To do this, take a handful of soil in your hand and squeeze it tightly. If as a result of compression 1-2 drops of water are released, then the soil has the right moisture.

When starting a business, you should not immediately buy expensive vermicomposters. Use a wooden or plastic food box. It is necessary to make a hole in it for the outflow of fluid and ventilation. The room should have a temperature regime within 18-25 ° C, lighting 60 W per 20 m, ventilation no more than 0.5 m / s. You should be aware that chlorinated water inhibits worms, so use water containers. Take care of the protection of worms from pests. They are eaten by moles, rats, and other rodents.

Purchase of breeding stock

You can buy worms for breeding both on the Internet and from local owners of worm farms. When buying breeding stock, you should pay attention to appearance worm. It should be red, mobile. breeding stock includes at least 1500 worms. The calculation must be carried out from the following ratio: 1-3 families are needed per 1 cubic meter of soil for breeding.

How to settle

After 2-3 days after preparing the soil, it is necessary to make a deepening in it and populate the first inhabitants there. After that, carefully spread the soil and close the lid. After a couple of days, you need to add food.

In order to determine the necessary acidity of the soil and check whether the worms will take root well in a new house, it is necessary to do a trial settlement in a small container. Based on the results, you can determine whether the optimal level of acidity has been reached or needs to be corrected.
The optimal acidity level for breeding worms should be in the range of 6.6 - 7.5 pH.

If there are a lot of dead worms, then the acidity must be changed. It is increased by adding straw, sawdust, plants. To reduce the acidity of the soil, it is necessary to add chalk, limestone, shells.
Within a week after moving in, you need to check how the worms feel in the new home. If the surface of the substrate is clean, and they are mobile, then the resettlement went well.

What to feed

How to feed worms at home?
Worms are not picky about food. They feed on dead or rotting plants. It is recommended to give potato peelings, cabbage leaves, banana peel, stale bread, tea or coffee grounds, straw, grass, water from a container washed from under sour cream or kefir, chicken droppings.

Worms can be attributed to vegetarians. Citrus fruits, meat, eggs should not be added to their food. Fresh manure should not be added to the worms, as it generates heat up to 70 ° C.

All food you give to worms should be ground. They cannot process it in solid form. The composition of the feed should be maintained. Worms tune in better to the food that they have tasted for the first time in their lives. When changing food, adaptation of individuals must take place over a certain period.

Care rules

Growing and caring for worms at home includes feeding, maintaining a favorable temperature regime, watering and loosening the substrate.

The first feeding is carried out a few days after settlement. To do this, feed 3-5 cm thick is applied to the fourth part of the surface and evenly distributed. The next time the food is applied with a thickness of 5-7 cm on the entire surface of the box.

Top dressing for worms is added every 1.5 - 2 weeks, as they are eaten, until the box is filled to a height of 50-60 cm. The frequency of feeding depends on the number of worms and on the temperature of the content. It is necessary to keep worms at a temperature of +15 ... +25 ° С. Worms reproduce quite quickly, so it is necessary to have prepared transplant boxes. One family after wintering increases 10 times.

It should be remembered that worms need moisture. Therefore, the substrate must be watered regularly. The optimum humidity should be 80%. This procedure must be done using a watering can with small holes with settled or rain water at a temperature of 24 ° C.

Worms need oxygen, so if the substrate layer is 20 cm or more, it is necessary to loosen it regularly. This procedure is carried out with special forks with round ends. To do this, the substrate is pierced without mixing the layers twice a week to the depth of the worms.

As a result of their vigorous activity, the substrate in the box is divided into three zones.

The top layer contains nutrients and organic residues. The middle layer is intended for housing worms. The bottom layer is the most valuable. It collects all products of soil processing, which are used as biohumus and worm tea. As the worms work, the bottom layer is constantly increasing. The duration of the process of complete processing in one box is 3-4 months. After that, the worms with part of the old substrate are transplanted into another container, and everything starts all over again.

What and to whom to sell from the vermifarm

The main advantage of the vermi farm is that you can get valuable fertilizer and good income from unnecessary waste. To do this, you need to study the market and potential buyers.

For soil fertilization

To fertilize a plot of 3-4 acres, it is enough to purchase 1.5 - 3 thousand worms. During the year they will produce the required amount of biohumus. This valuable fertilizer can be sold to neighbors and acquaintances. When expanding the vermi farm, it can be offered to specialized stores, farms.

For fishing

Growing worms for fishermen and selling them in bazaars or selling them to specialized stores is also profitable, as this is part of the vermi business. The fisherman rarely takes the time to dig up the soil in search of a worm. It's always easier to buy. Fishing shops will take your stock because the lifespan of the worm is long and the demand is steady. The main thing is that the packaging contributes to the life of the worms for a certain period. Worm for fish is the most valuable product. Therefore, real professionals often breed worms at home for fishing.

To the pet store

The pet store also needs a constant supply of fresh worms and biohumus. Worms are used there as food for fish, birds and other inhabitants.

For fish farms

For the efficient operation of fish farms and the normal growth of fish, it is necessary to use live food for feeding them. Therefore, the need for the worm as an indispensable product with high nutritional value is constantly increasing.

For plant nutrition

The biohumus obtained from the vermifarm can be used for growing indoor flowers, seedlings, vegetables in the greenhouse and in the garden, for planting fruit crops, grapes, and medicinal plants. Biohumus is especially valuable in greenhouses, since it is important to exclude the possibility of diseases. If worms get into flower pots, you should not worry. Worms cannot cause any harm to plants. Since the use of biohumus is quite wide, the demand is obvious.


To expand the range, you can also offer vermicai. It is made on vermi farms by slowly passing water through a stack of containers or according to a recipe. To do this, biohumus is mixed with water in a ratio of 1: 10. Saturate it with oxygen for good bacteria reproduction. This can be done with an aquarium compressor. Insist for a day at room temperature, after which the solution is settled and filtered. The sediment can be used as a fertilizer, and the solution can be used for foliar and root dressing.

Vermichai should be used within 4 hours of turning off the compressor. With further storage, the bacteria die, the effectiveness of the solution decreases, and it emits an unpleasant odor.

How to prepare vermifarm products for sale

The main products of the vermifarm for sale are:
• worms;
• biohumus;
• worm tea.

To prepare products for sale, they must be properly packaged and stored. You can pack the worms in tight plastic bags with holes for ventilation. Store them in a cool place to avoid excessive worm activity. A sufficient amount of soil must be added to the bag.

The mother families for sale are well packed in cardboard boxes. The family should consist of cocoons, fry and adults.


Biohumus is a smearing mass of dark color. After extracting the worms, it is collected with a scoop, dried to a moisture content of 40-50%, sieved with a sieve and packaged for storage. Biohumus can be stored at temperatures ranging from -20 to + 30 °C. So that the fertilizer does not lose its biological activity, it is still not worth freezing.

Vermicai is packed in plastic bottles before being sold. Do not forget to indicate the expiration date of the solution.

Profitability calculation

From 1 cubic meter of a nursery, you can get up to 10 thousand worms and about 0.5 tons of biohumus per year. When selling 1 worm for 2 rubles, you can get 20 thousand from the sale of worms alone, not taking into account the profit from biohumus and vermicai. business, we get 150%. As you can see, the income is quite worthy.

Is it possible to make money on a business like growing strawberries all year round in a greenhouse? Let's try to answer this question in a separate one.

Mushrooms lend themselves well to artificial conditions. The demand for champignons in the food market makes them attractive for entrepreneurship.

Business pros and cons

Breeding worms is a profitable and rewarding business. This business is associated with minimal risks, so if you are interested, then you should try it first in an old refrigerator or wooden box. Having mastered the breeding of worms at home on video and in practice, having studied all the subtleties and working with the sale of products, you will decide whether it is worth expanding the business. There are practically no shortcomings in the worm business, as evidenced by the reviews of entrepreneurs. With a serious approach, the business will bring considerable income.

One of the most useful creatures on earth. In 1959, in the USA, in the state of California, breeders managed to develop a new species. So appeared Thanks to the new features of this, it became easier to breed and ennoble depleted soils.

So what distinctive features do Californian earthworms have?

First, the new species is a long-liver. These protozoan invertebrates live on average up to 15 years. And this is 4 times more than ordinary rain "savages".

Secondly, during the season they multiply rapidly in their natural environment, laying up to 20 cocoons. In greenhouse conditions, reproduction occurs at an even greater rate.

But the main advantage is the ability to breed them even in ordinary apartments, since Californian worms are quite calm and do not crawl out of their breeding boxes.

Value for nature and agriculture

It is difficult to find the same necessary and indispensable assistant in agriculture and farming as the red Californian worm. Many animals, birds and fish feed on it. For the first time they began to be massively bred in America. Thanks to this, it became possible to switch to natural, safer ways to improve the soil. However, in the process of artificial cultivation, some difficulties appeared associated with the diet of worms.

As it turned out, this species can only eat the food to which it was originally accustomed. That is why it is recommended to take cocoons for breeding. Only such an approach will eliminate the risk of losing an entire population of adults. This is due, first of all, to the fact that Californian worms are unable to assimilate new food; from birth, they are “programmed” for a certain diet.

What do California worms eat?

Like any other subspecies, the Californian feeds on plant debris. For mass breeding, worm houses are built, where a nutrient substrate is placed. The main food is humus or manure. Fresh manure needs to be fermented, that is, it must be overcooked. In addition, you need to ensure that the substrate is always moist, for this it is covered with polyethylene. California worms completely process organic waste in manure in a short time, leaving behind the so-called "heaps". In fact, this coprolite is a valuable fertilizer containing a lot of nutritious and easily digestible substances. The humus in which the worms live is odorless, so home breeding is also possible.

In conditions of breeding in an apartment, it is necessary to take into account the temperature regime. The warmer, the more actively the process of reproduction will go. As food, crushed potato peelings, fruit leftovers, banana peels, spent coffee and tea can be added to the main substrate. In this case, one must not forget about moistening the substrate. In the end, you can get valuable fertilizer, and multiply the number of worms in your area several times. Due to their physiological characteristics, these invertebrates secrete a substance that neutralizes unpleasant odors, which means that breeding at home is quite acceptable.

Breeding the Californian worm is practiced by enthusiastic summer residents in order to obtain the most excellent fertilizer - biohumus. Its use on the site promises an increase in the yield of all vegetables at times, and besides, it is free of all kinds of chemical additives, pathogens, and so on.

Biohumus is a super fertilizer!

The addition of biohumus to the soil has a versatile effect: it neutralizes the influence of harmful salts and phytotoxic substances, heavy metals, helps maintain soil structure and the optimal balance of minerals contained in it, and reduces the leaching of elements necessary for plant nutrition. If we compare the effectiveness of this with, then you can painlessly replace 15 tons of manure fertilizer with 1 ton of biohumus. In addition, it contains at least twice as much nitrogen as humus.

If these arguments in the piggy bank of the advantages of biohumus over traditional manure are not enough for you, then here is another one: this fertilizer has a very prolonged effect, continuing to work on improving soil fertility for at least 3-5 years. An incomparable plus is that biohumus does not contain weed seeds, so after applying it you will get 30% less weeds than when using the same amount of manure.

How to breed California worms at home

To produce a couple of tons of this most valuable fertilizer, it will be enough for you to purchase 1500-3000 Californian worms. Suppose you have already prepared a place of residence for your future pets and come up with an ideal diet for them (you can read about this in). Now you can proceed directly to the cultivation of the Californian worm, which begins, of course, with their settlement in the prepared substrate.

To begin with, pour a couple of centimeters of sand into a box of recommended sizes - it will play the role of drainage. Then pour the same amount of garden soil on it. This is followed by an organic substrate with a layer of 5-7 centimeters and again add some soil from the garden on top.

The substrate prepared in the above way must be left to stand for a week. During this period, it is subjected to mandatory and uniform moistening, which allows you to get rid of the residual amount of ammonia. The next step is to turn the bucket with small gums onto the substrate and carefully distribute them over its surface.

Then, for 5-7 days, observe the activity and viability of the worms: they should gradually “taste” the new food for them and completely move to a new home. If this did not happen and the Californians look lethargic and inactive, then most likely the substrate you prepared turned out to be of poor quality or containing toxic components.

If your pets are well accustomed to their new home, then further care for them will consist in the timely moistening of the composted mass, regular feeding and loosening.

Loosening the substrate is necessary to saturate it with oxygen and becomes relevant when it reaches about 20 centimeters in height. This operation is carried out twice a week with the help of special vermicompost pitchforks with rounded ends and they try to loosen the organic matter to the full depth of the worms.

The first time the Californian worm is fed within a couple of days after settling in the substrate.

This is done as follows: on the fourth part of the compostable organic matter, top dressing is laid out with a layer of 3 to 5 centimeters and carefully distributed over the rest of the surface. After a couple of weeks, top dressing is repeated, but at the same time, the layer thickness should be already 5-7 centimeters and it is immediately evenly scattered throughout the box.

The frequency of top dressing depends both on the conditions for breeding the Californian worm (temperature regime) and on their initial amount. In general, thereafter, fresh food may be required every 2-3 days.

It usually takes 3-4 months from the moment the Californians settle in and fill the box under the lid with high-value biohumus. After that, the worms are evicted from the finished fertilizer as follows. They are kept on a starvation ration for a week, and then they lay out the usual portion of food in a layer of 5-7 centimeters, into which the starving worms happily pass. This procedure must be repeated 3 times within three weeks in order to lure out of the box all the Californians and their offspring formed during this time.

The remaining processed substrate has a loose structure and a rich dark color. Before packaging for storage, it is dried (up to 40-50%) and sifted through a sieve. Prepared vermicompost is stored at a temperature of -20 to +30 degrees, but keep in mind that when frozen, it will lose some of its biological activity.

Breeding a California worm is not difficult to organize in a city apartment, but for this, of course, you will need to find enough space for a compost box and make your household members put up with such an impartial neighborhood.

But in conditions of a shortage of high-quality manure, this option for cultivating garden soil seems to me to be almost the only alternative. What do you think?

Well, if you want to try to breed a Californian in a dacha, I recommend watching a short video instruction.