How to get biohumus using Californian worms? Details about red Californian worms Reproduction of Californian worms at home

Not having impressive investments at their disposal, entrepreneurs try to choose those ideas that require a minimum of funds to start a business. And there are plenty of such options - for example, breeding Californian worms at home. Having organized a worm farm (this is how such a “farm” will be called), you can start earning decent amounts without special skills, because worms are in demand on the market. The advantages also include the simple technology of their breeding. California worms are used as bait for fishing, as food for birds and fish, as a useful fertilizer for growing fruit crops and vegetables.

Our business valuation:

Starting investments - from 5000 rubles.

Market saturation is average.

The complexity of starting a business is 3/10.

Cultivation of Californian worms, if you create optimal conditions for growth for the “pets” and competently organize the marketing process, will very soon reach the break-even point, starting to bring consistently high profits. And in order to minimize financial markets, it is worth starting small - with a home worm farm. And over time, when things go uphill and a wide circle of regular customers is recruited, you can invest in the large-scale production of the California worm. In this case, the costs will be much higher, but they will quickly pay off.

How to breed California worms? Consider what means an entrepreneur will have to use in order to organize a profitable business.

Where to breed California worms?

What is good about this direction is that the entrepreneur does not need large areas. It’s great if the property has its own suburban area or a house with a cellar - then all problems will be solved, since this is where you can start your business.

Vermifarm organization technology allows you to grow worms in 2 ways:

• On open air.
• Indoors.

If worms are bred in a country house in an open area, then the business will be more seasonal in nature, since individuals cannot withstand extreme cold, which means that activities will have to be suspended until spring. But keeping the worms indoors (in the same cellar or barn), subject to optimal temperature conditions, you can conduct your business all year round.

When planning to launch a vermi farm in an open area, it is necessary to carefully fence off the involved area, and even better, partially concrete the adjacent area. Otherwise, the invasion of pests (for example, moles) cannot be avoided.

To make it possible to breed and sell Californian worms, you will need to prepare “homes” for them. For this, wooden boxes or a plastic container can be used. The containers can be of different volumes, but it is better to keep a range of 30-40 cm in height. In order not to spend extra money, the boxes can be made independently from strong boards. Yes, and many in their dachas have large plastic barrels idle, which can be cut in half and used for their own purposes.

After the containers are prepared, it is necessary to fill them with a nutrient substrate so that the worms are kept in accordance with all the rules. So what and how to grow Californian worms? At the bottom of the box lays a layer of soil with healthy individuals. And in order for them to have something to eat, a substrate is laid on top, which may consist of humus, food waste, manure, and rotten leaves. Thus, optimal conditions for growth and development are created for the worms - they are warm and satisfying here.

It should be ensured that there are no metallic inclusions in the earth layer. This can negatively affect the fertility of individuals.

And when the worms are "inhabited" in the boxes, it is necessary to provide them with proper care - feeding and optimal temperature.

Features of the content of Californian worms

An important question that should be decided in advance is where you can buy Californian worms. If you purchase low-quality "planting material", all the work of the entrepreneur may be in vain - he will not receive the expected increase. And they get worms on the same vermifarms. When making a deal, you need to make sure that all individuals are exactly red and actively moving.

Practice shows that the breeding stock should be more than 1500 healthy individuals. It will take 1-3 families to "settle" 1 m 3 of soil. The wholesale cost of 1 worm is 1-3 rubles.

Californian worms as a business are attractive, first of all, by simple farming technology. In short, the main steps are:

• "Settlement" of livestock in a box with a substrate.
• Processing by individuals of compost into nutritious biohumus.
• Reproduction of individuals.
• Collection of humus, worm tea, live individuals for the purpose of further sale.

And in order for the Californian fishing worm to actively breed, it is necessary to maintain the optimum temperature within + 15 ... + 25 ˚C. But individuals can withstand lower temperatures. Soil acidity should be 7 pH, and air humidity - 75-80%. You can highlight some of the nuances that should be observed when deciding to put the case on stream:

• It is better to cover the top of the box with a lid, hay or burlap.
• Twice a week, the soil should be loosened to allow oxygen to enter the deep layers of the soil.
• If the temperature drops to -5 ˚C, the compost is additionally covered with a layer of manure and straw. The height of such a warming layer should be at least 100 cm.
• If individuals are lethargic and do not hide from harsh light, they need to be transferred to a new substrate.

And what to feed Californian worms? It does not require special costs, since individuals can literally eat leftovers from the table - used tea leaves, soaked paper, food leftovers. Cow and pig manure for feeding can be used only after six months after its receipt (but no later than 2 years), but rabbit or goat - immediately. Soil with worms should be watered occasionally using a watering can.

How often worms will be fed depends on the number of individuals, the time of year and the type of food. On average, the nutrient substrate is updated every 1.5-2 weeks.

Features of the sale of Californian worms

Selling California worms in bulk will bring the entrepreneur much more profit than selling individuals to retail buyers. Given this, the first step is to establish contacts with permanent
big clients.

And since the business involves the sale of not only the worms themselves, but also those waste products that they form, the following buyers may be interested in the worm farm:

• private summer residents and fishermen,
• farms,
• pet stores,
• fishing stores.
• fish farms.

And since the price of the Californian worm and related products is low, many transactions will be carried out in wholesale lots, which will only increase the income of the entrepreneur. And so that as many customers as possible learn about the vermifarm operating nearby, you should take care of its advertising.

What marketing methods can be used here?

• Direct sales.
• Ads on the Internet, newspaper and "on the fences".
• Flyers.

How profitable is the business?

Knowing where to buy Californian worms for breeding and how to organize the process itself, you can start earning very soon. The purchase of breeding stock will take no more than 5,000 rubles. And if you do not take into account the boxes that will be required, then this is all the cost of the business, since the worms do not need any special feed.

You can start small by selling natural fertilizer and live worms to your neighbors. And when the vermifarm grows, it will be possible to think about entering larger markets.

It is rather difficult to calculate the exact income that the "farm" will bring. But you can still catch the main economic trend if you consider how much the red Californian worm costs - and this is about 1-3 rubles per piece. Note that the amount from sales is almost completely and will be the net profit received by the entrepreneur, since large variable costs are not expected here.

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.


With 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 biohumus for fertilizing the garden, it is worth thinking 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 a breeding stock, you should pay attention to the appearance of the worm. It should be red, mobile. The 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 peels, 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.

Why do they keep and breed such seemingly unattractive creatures as earthworms?

Mainly for the production of biohumus. Biohumus is a valuable organic fertilizer, the main life product of worms. The worms themselves can also be used as food for various domestic animals (fish, amphibians and reptiles, as well as some species of birds and rodents). But, since my pets (cat and Japanese finches) categorically refused to eat worms, I keep worms exclusively for biohumus. The bulk of the worm population lives in my summer cottage. There is equipped with a special worm shelter, which is covered with spruce branches and film for the winter. But I also keep some of the worms in a city apartment.

They live in a terrarium, in the bottom of which a certain number of holes have been made so that excessive moisture does not accumulate. Naturally, the terrarium must stand on some kind of pallet. The terrarium is in a dark corner under the table, because the worms do not like light.

Worms feed on almost any organic matter - potato peelings, various kinds of kitchen waste, used tea and coffee brewing, bread crusts, soaked newspapers, and so on. Do not abuse citrus fruits (lemon, orange and tangerine peels), they strongly acidify the substrate. It is also better to refrain from using animal waste - meat, egg white and yolk, etc. - mainly for two reasons, firstly, because of the unpleasant smell that occurs when animal protein decomposes, and secondly, if you breed worms in the country, meat and other animal waste can attract rats and mice. Worms do not eat animal fats (milk, etc.).

Some say it's not worth feeding animal protein to worms because worms are vegetarians. But they are more scavengers than vegetarians. In my opinion, decomposed vegetable protein is not very different from decomposed animal protein. Although it is possible that worms prefer vegetable protein, they are also able to eat animal protein. After all, they feed on the simplest nematodes. There are very few animals in nature that have strict dietary restrictions; there are very few absolute vegetarians or absolute predators. Cats and dogs, being predators, eat grass with pleasure. Cows, along with grass, absorb a sufficient amount of animal protein in the form of insects and other small animals. The absence of strict restrictions on food allows animals to adapt to changing environmental conditions. An example is pigs, whose ancestors are known to have been carnivores. But back to worms.

From time to time, worms need to be given eggshells and fine sand. Sand serves worms as well as pebbles for chickens - to improve digestion. Of course, all food given to worms must be minced or ground in some other way, since worms do not have teeth and cannot chew food. To all this, one should not forget about watering, since with a substrate moisture content of less than 35%, the worms will die within a week. Under no circumstances should chlorinated water be used for irrigation. Chlorine is poison for worms. Either rainwater or well-settled water is used.

I add food periodically in small layers. When the terrarium is full, I transplant the worms with part of the old substrate into another terrarium, and start all over again. And biohumus from the old terrarium is ready for use. Worms can be transplanted manually, but this is a rather tedious task. It is better to stop feeding the worms for a while, let them get hungry. Then put on top straw cutting or torn paper soaked in a sugar solution. You can use the pulp of vegetables and fruits. In two or three days, most of the hungry worms will rise up to the new food, from where they can be collected. In a day, one worm is able to process an amount of organic matter equal to its own weight. And the average weight of an earthworm is 0.5 g. I don’t presume to say what should be the optimal density of worms in a wormhole (terrarium). Under natural conditions, the density of worms is from 100 to 20,000 individuals per square meter.
I use biohumus produced by worms for indoor flowers and for seedlings. This way I save money and get a product that I am confident in. Because you can never tell exactly where the land you bought from the store came from. From the items that I found in bags with flower and garden soil, one could make a fairly extensive exposure - stones, sticks, bones, and even a whole anthill with live ants and ant eggs. If you use biohumus for indoor flowers, then individual worms or their cocoons may accidentally get into the flower pot. Some flower growers, for some reason, are afraid of this. However, worms cannot bring any harm to flowers. They do not gnaw on roots, because, as I said, they do not have teeth. They can only eat a rotten root, but with rotten roots, the plant will die without worms. But if you don't like to know that there are worms in your flower pot, then it's easier to just pick them by hand than to try to poison them with something or, as some advise, lower the pot into water and wait for the worms to choke. So you can only destroy the plant. Worms can live in water for quite a long time (up to a week).

Some unpleasant moments that may arise when breeding worms.

This is, firstly, the smell of the waste that you feed the worms, and, secondly, the appearance of all kinds of foreign insects. Ready biohumus has no unpleasant odor, it smells like ordinary earth. In addition, worms secrete certain substances that serve as a kind of deodorant. However, freshly laid food that the worms have not yet begun to eat may emit an odor. Much here depends on the type of food, soaked newspapers or tea leaves do not emit a special smell, and coffee leaves even have a quite pleasant smell. But if there is animal protein in the food, the smell can be quite nasty. In this case, the new feed should be sprinkled with ready-made vermicompost. Some, however, use EM preparations, such as Baikal or Vozrozhdenie, to combat unpleasant odors. Personally, in the fall I bring a certain amount of land from the dacha and periodically sprinkle the substrate with it. I think that this is not bad for seedlings either, since biohumus in its properties approaches the soil in which seedlings are to grow in summer.
As for insects, Drosophila, sometimes podura, are most often planted in the substrate. By themselves, these creatures are completely harmless. They cannot harm worms. Rather the opposite. After all, it is known that worms feed on the simplest nematodes, bacteria, fungal spores and other microflora and microfauna. True, whether worms eat eggs and larvae of fruit flies or fools, I don’t know. Be that as it may, it is unlikely that anyone will like the presence of various midges in the apartment. Since the appearance of these insects is primarily associated with the increased humidity of the substrate with which you feed the worms, you can fight them by reducing watering (however, without stopping completely, so as not to kill the worms). As I was told on one forum, you can use sticky tape for flies to kill fruit flies, if you stick it in strips on the lid of the terrarium. Podur can be caught on a piece of raw potatoes. They love her very much and gather on her in large numbers. Do not use pesticides, you can poison the worms.

Where to get worms?
1. buy red Californian worms.
2. buy specially bred Russian (for example, Vladimir)
3. dig up in the garden, in the forest, collect on the street after rain.

Before discussing these three options, I will make one important digression. Whichever option you choose, you will still not be able to find exactly the same food for the worms that they are used to. And the main advantage of keeping worms is that you can get valuable fertilizer from your free waste. There are different opinions about how easily worms switch to a new food. Professor Igonin used to be of the opinion that worms get used to new food rather hard. Some of his colleagues believe that this is not such a significant issue. Yes, and Anatoly Mikhailovich himself (after he started selling "Vladimir Prospectors" :) now speaks not so categorically. Judging by my own experience, I can say that it is still not worth it to abruptly transfer worms to a new food. You can lose if not the entire population, then most of it. Well, if by this time the worms have already laid cocoons. Young, newly born worms get used to the food that they tried at birth. If it is nevertheless necessary to transfer the worms to a new food, then this should be done gradually, gradually mixing it into the old one.
From this point of view, consider all three of the above options. Since the ability to adapt to new conditions depends to a large extent on the worms themselves. If you decide to buy "Californians", then make sure that they sell you really Californian worms, and not ordinary ones dug up right here under the fence. Sometimes, under the guise of juvenile worms, a nematode is sold. The seller must have a permit to sell worms issued by the quarantine authority. Red California worms have high productivity, but are quite picky about the substrate and the conditions of detention. They are suitable only for home maintenance, that is, they live only in warmth. If you want to settle them in the country, then most likely they will freeze in the first winter. As for the Vladimir worms, they are undoubtedly more adapted to our conditions. This is a good option if you don't mind spending money on worms. If you are going to keep worms not only at home, but also in the country, or only in the country, then, in my opinion, it is better for you to dig them up in a nearby forest or in a field. And move them to your worm house. These will be the worms most adapted to your conditions. Do not forget to just dig them up along with the ground, and gradually add your new food to this ground. The most adaptable of those that I have seen, in my opinion, are the Moscow worms, which I picked up on the street after the rain. Apparently they are so accustomed to living in difficult urban conditions and eating all sorts of rubbish that they are not so easy to lime.
Well, in a nutshell, that's all. Read more about worms in A.M. Igonina "How to increase soil fertility tenfold with the help of earthworms."

More about biohumus

The composition of biohumus and its properties
The main product of compost processing with the help of technological worms is the humus organic fertilizer biohumus - worm compost.

Biohumus of 50% humidity contains 12-15% of humus.
The agrochemical value of dry biohumus is as follows:
. humus - 25-35%;
. nitrogen - 0.8-2%;
. phosphorus - 0.8-2%;
. potassium - 0.7-1.2%;
. magnesium - 0.3-0.5%;
. calcium - 2-3%;
. acidity pH = 6.9-7.2;
. microflora - 2*10**12 cells/g;
. fulvic, humic acids;
and all this in a balanced way.

Biohumus It is also a microbiological fertilizer. Its introduction improves the soil. Biocompost exceeds manure and composts in humus content by 4-8 times. Biohumus contains a large amount of enzymes, vitamins, soil antibiotics, plant growth hormones and other biologically active substances. Duration of action of a biohumus - 5 years.

Unlike manure, biohumus does not have inertia - plants react immediately to it. When using biohumus, the growing season of plants is reduced by 1.5-2 weeks. It is proved that the humates contained in biohumus are non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-mutagenic, non-toxic for embryos. Biohumus does not contain weed seeds. Biohumus has no smell, it is pleasant to hold it in hands.
During storage, biohumus can even dry out, but will not lose its qualities.

The use of biohumus
Biohumus can be applied in the spring for digging, it can be poured into seedling holes, in rows for sowing seeds.

Biohumus is added to planting mixtures for growing seedlings and indoor plants.

It is impossible to “oversalt” the soil with biohumus, the more you apply, the better.

Biohumus can be infused in water and watered with infusion of plants.

The use of mineral fertilizers mixed with biohumus is exceptionally effective.

Biohumus application rates
Since biohumus has to be saved, its application rates are as follows:
. when planting seedlings in the ground, add 1-2 handfuls of biohumus to the hole;
. when planting tomato seedlings, add 0.5-1 liters of biohumus to the hole;
. for potatoes 0.5-1 liters of biohumus with each potato;
. mulch the soil under the cucumbers with biohumus with a layer of 1-2 cm;
. mulch the soil under the strawberries with biohumus with a layer of 1-2 cm;
. do not dig the soil under fruit trees, but annually mulch with a layer of vermicompost 2-3 cm;
The company "Master Ground", which supplies vermicompost fertilizer, recommends the following application rates:
. flowers - 0.5-1.5 kg / sq.m;
. vegetables - up to 2 kg/sq.m or 150 g/rm;
. berry - 0.5-1.0 kg per bush;
. fruit - 1-2 kg for each tree;

Water infusion of biohumus
An aqueous infusion of biohumus is used for soaking seeds, watering seedlings, indoor plants, garden crops.
Mix 1 cup of dry humus fertilizer in 1 bucket of water and let stand for a day. The water takes on the color of tea. The sediment can be used to fertilize indoor flowers.
The resulting infusion soaked the seeds of cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes for 12 hours.

For watering plants, the infusion is diluted with two more parts of water.

Effectively spraying plants with infusion. Fruit trees and shrubs are sprayed after flowering, when the ovary falls off, during the period of fruit growth and the laying of flower buds (in early August). When spraying fruit trees and bushes with biohumus infusion in combination with mulching the soil under the crowns with biohumus, a layer of 1-2 cm, their fruiting becomes regular.

Spraying flower crops three times with an interval of one week accelerates flowering by 1-1.5 weeks.

Soil composition
The basis of the soil - soil minerals make up 80-90% of the weight. They, as a rule, contain almost the entire periodic table, but in a form not available to plants. The smallest particles or flakes of minerals form clay soils, larger ones - loams, even larger ones - sandy loams and sands. The smallest particles that form clay minerals are in the form of flakes, so their total surface is huge and they are able to hold element ions on their surface in a form accessible to plant nutrition. Some soil microorganisms, with sufficient moisture and heat, are able to dissolve the mineral particles themselves, making the chemical elements bound in them available to plants.
Clay is potentially fertile soil. Tatyana Ugarova calls it "practically inexhaustible clay minerals".
Another component of the soil is organic matter, and its most valuable part is humus - the smallest colloidal particles of organic matter, which have an even larger surface and even better retain element ions, in a form accessible to plant nutrition. Humus is a storehouse of basic nutrients. Small clay and humus particles form compounds of the clay-humus complex, which retains nutrients. That is why it is so important to add some loam to the compost heap.
The third component of the soil is its living component - a community of various soil microorganisms - bacteria, fungi, ciliates, amoebas, algae, microscopic worms, etc. Their biomass in the upper 25 cm soil layer can reach 1.0-1.5 kg / sq.m. soil and more. Soil microorganisms play the main role in the formation of soil fertility. The majority of microorganisms are bacteria.

Features of light soil
Light sandy soils are easily washed, soluble nutrients, along with water, go to great depths and are lost to plants. Therefore, such soils usually lack potassium, magnesium, and trace elements. But fertilizers should be applied to sandy soils not in autumn, but in spring (main dressing) and summer (in the form of dressings), but at half the dose than on clay soils. Such soils dry out quickly, but are well aerated. Organic fertilizers on sandy soils quickly overripe (mineralize), so they need to be applied more and more often.
Sandy soils are less suitable for gardening than loamy ones. To improve the cohesion of sandy soils, in addition to manure, peat and compost are introduced. If possible, claying is carried out - surface application of clay, loam. When planting orchards in the planting pits of fruit trees, it is very effective to make 2-3 screens of clay composts with manure in a layer of 2-4 cm every 20 cm.

Heavy soil and stagnant water
If there is little organic matter in heavy clay soils, they pass water very poorly. They can accumulate excess carbon dioxide, and although carbon dioxide dissolves some minerals, excess carbon dioxide harms plants.
If there are poorly permeable soil layers at depth, then even small depressions on the soil surface can cause stagnation of water in the soil. The same thing happens when there is a close level of groundwater. Stagnant waters displace the air from the soil, resulting in souring (gleying) of the soil, which is expressed in the appearance of blue spots with a high content of substances harmful to plants. Beneficial soil microorganisms are inhibited, and harmful anaerobic microflora develops. But if the garden is located on a slope and the water moves slowly through the layers of soil, then there are no negative consequences.

Obligatory digging before winter, loosening and systematic introduction of organic matter - manure, peat, compost, and for acidic soils, the introduction of lime improves the permeability and structure of clay soils.

Soil structure
The soil rich in microorganisms is glued together by mineral and organic colloidal particles into small lumps that do not fit tightly to each other, which allows air to penetrate deep into the soil, and water not to linger on the surface and wet the soil. Clay rich in humus crumbles into small lumps. The passages of microscopic and earthworms, the cavities of dead plant roots also improve the aeration and permeability of the soil.

Adding lime to heavy clayey acidic soil also improves its permeability and structure.

Soil microorganisms
Some soil microorganisms decompose organic matter introduced into the soil, promote the formation of humus, make nutrients available to plants, others bind atmospheric nitrogen, synthesize organic compounds, and the following convert these compounds into forms available to plants. Soil microorganisms convert phosphorus into a soluble state, even decompose minerals, and first of all, practically inexhaustible clay minerals, delivering the entire "periodic table" to plants. Some plants are unable to develop normally without a certain microflora. As a result of the vital activity of beneficial soil microorganisms, the soil becomes structural, crumbly.

The life span of bacteria and other soil microorganisms can be very short - from days to several hours. If there is food, it is warm and humid - they multiply very quickly, and die off very quickly if the "food" is over. But their biomass and waste products make up the very "nutrient broth" for plants, which includes not only simple compounds for plant nutrition, but also amino acids, vitamins, auxins, antibiotics and many other nutrients and plant growth stimulants.

Most beneficial soil microorganisms benefit from a slightly acidic and neutral soil pH of 6.5-7.0 in the presence of moisture, air and heat in the range of approximately 15-30°C. Organic matter is essential for the nutrition of soil microorganisms. There are two ways for organics to enter the soil - root excretions of plants with post-harvest residues and the introduction of organics into the soil from the outside, in the form of compost, manure, green manure, etc.

Root selections
Plants do not remain indebted to microorganisms - living plants feed soil microorganisms with their root secretions, and not just dying post-harvest residues, although the roots also make up about a third of the plant's mass. Tatyana Ugarova gives a figure - up to 20% of the total mass of plants are root secretions. The composition of root secretions includes organic acids, sugars, amino acids and much more. According to T. Ugarova, a strong plant abundantly feeds soil microorganisms, while mass reproduction of the rhizosphere (root) beneficial microflora occurs. Moreover, plants stimulate the development of predominantly such microflora that nourishes plants, produces plant growth stimulants, and suppresses microflora harmful to plants.
Composting is an art
- this is how they now evaluate the exceptional importance of compost for the garden. Unfortunately, we still pay very little attention to the correct preparation of compost (if at all). And properly prepared compost is the basis, the guarantee of the future harvest.
When making compost, it is important to add some loam (clay garden soil). Loam also serves as a source of soil microorganisms - "sourdough" and binds nutrients formed during the maturation of compost as part of clay-humus complexes. In particular, clay-humus complexes arise when soil particles are mixed in the intestines of an earthworm, which is why the effectiveness of worm compost - biohumus, which is also enriched with beneficial microflora from the worm's stomach, is so great.
Briefly, the sequence of layers of the compost heap: 15-20 cm of grass and similar waste, sprinkled with ash, dolomite or lime 300-600 g/sq. meter, and sprinkle everything with clay garden soil - approximately a 2 cm layer. And so several times. Compost should be watered through a sprayer (you can use a watering can) so that the pile is constantly wet.
The addition of compost to the surface of the beds enriches the soil with microorganisms, revitalizes it, and does not at all boil down to a simple conversion to N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) nutrients. Be sure to compost your garden!

It is curious that in the Mitlider method using bottomless boxes filled with a mixture of sawdust and sand, by the end of the first season, the sawdust turns into crumbly, loose earth rich in humus, saturated with soil microorganisms, which, in terms of its effect on the main soil and plants, is very similar to a compost layer. in the garden! (But remember - you can’t dig up fresh sawdust with the soil!)
Beds after harvest
Do not leave loose, humus-rich soil bare, not covered with plants or a layer of organic mulch, which provide food for soil bacteria and create conditions for their vital activity, protect the soil from drying out and weathering. Therefore, if you have bare beds left after harvesting, sow any crop as a ground cover, like green manure. In the spring, mow the plants - put the tops in the compost, and the roots remaining in the beds, which have absorbed the nutrients, will give them to the soil, preserving its fertility.

conclusions
. All beds, including Mitlider's narrow soil beds, need the introduction of humus - well-rotted manure or compost, biohumus, which enrich the soil with beneficial soil microflora and humus, which increases the soil's ability to retain nutrients.
. Thus, the combination of organic and complex mineral fertilizers can increase soil fertility faster than the use of each type of fertilizer separately.
. Vegetables are most beneficial when grown without nutritional deficiencies. But over time, there may be a nutritional deficiency of any macro and micro elements, even if at first everything was in abundance. Each locality may have its own lack of macro and micro elements. Therefore, top dressing with corrective fertilizers is necessary.
. Most beneficial soil micro-organisms thrive in a slightly acidic and neutral soil pH of 6.5-7.0, with moisture, air and heat in the range of approximately 12-30°C.
. Very light, sandy soil needs the introduction of peat and clay - claying, peaty - sand and loam. Excess water should be drained by drainage work.
. The ground should not be left bare - the soil should be covered with either plants (or lawn) or a layer of organic mulch. An extremely important role in the enrichment of the soil with microorganisms is the introduction of compost and manure humus into the beds.

Biohumus is a granular bioactive fertilizer obtained from organic waste processed by the red Californian worm. Its use ensures good development of plants, increase in yields by 30-70%. Knotted fruits are less affected by diseases. They differ in more tender pulp, pronounced taste and aroma. The production of biohumus at home is not particularly difficult and does not require significant costs.

Properties and composition of biohumus, its advantages

Biological humus is a fertilizer that is superior in composition and nutritional value to ordinary compost and manure. Its addition to the soil in a ratio of 10-20% to the total volume allows you to improve the soil that is depleted or contains a large amount of salts. In the process of processing, there is a complete disinfection of organic masses, their purification from helminth eggs. Biohumus contains many useful components in an optimally balanced form:

• Mineral elements in a form well absorbed by plants.
• Enzymes. They provide the transformation of organic residues into nutrient compounds.
• Substances that prevent the reproduction of pathogens.
• Phytohormones. They improve the growth and stress resistance of plants.

This type of environmentally friendly fertilizer contains 4-8 times more humus than cow dung or compost obtained from plant residues. Its advantages include good moisture capacity, friability, compatibility with other types of organic fertilizers, no need to use significant energy costs in the production and application process. The possibility of selling surplus products allows you to recoup the costs and receive a certain income.

Components for biohumus production

Before you start the production of biohumus at home, you should prepare the substrate for vermicompost and the necessary inventory items. The composition of the substrate includes:

1. rotted cow dung and
2. Leaves of plants in fermented (silage) or dried form (hay).
3. Vegetable peelings, leftovers from unused products.
4. Overripe sawdust, tree leaves.
5. Peat and lime (2% of the total weight of the mixture) to improve the quality of the vermicompost.

California worms are also needed for biohumus, the function of which is the processing of the nutrient mixture. As inventory, you will need boxes made of wooden planks or plastic, a spatula for a set of substrate, a sieve with cells with a diameter of 2 mm.

Features of growing Californian worms

California worms outwardly practically do not differ from ordinary earthworms. But they carry out the processing of organic substances into a form convenient for assimilation by plants much faster. When using them, you can get ready-made fertilizer in 1-1.5 weeks. The cost of one individual varies in different regions of the country: from 25 kopecks to 1 ruble. The following rules should be observed when using vermicompost for the preparation:

• Breeding at home requires maintaining certain temperature values. Its lower limit should not be lower than + 4 ° C, and the upper one - above 40 ° C. Lower and higher values ​​can lead to the death of biological material.
• In winter, the worms are placed in containers with a nutrient substrate and brought into a room with the required air temperature or covered with insulating material. It ensures the free flow of air into the soil mixture.
• For the normal life of this species of invertebrates, it is necessary to maintain the humidity of the compost heap at the level of 70-80% by regular irrigation with water in hot weather. In addition, they should be protected from the direct rays of the sun by placing them in the shade.

To prevent the death of Californian worms in severe frosts, covering the place of their keeping with the advent of autumn with a layer of compost 40 cm thick or more will allow. After snow falls, additional protection will be provided by warming the embankment with a thick snow cover.

Substrate preparation

The production of biohumus at home requires special preparation of the substrate before launching worms into it. First, a wooden box, a plastic container or a recess in the ground is prepared. It is recommended that their depth be from 70 to 100 cm. It is possible to prevent the penetration of technological worms outside the pit by finishing its bottom and walls with some natural material.

Then, a mixture prepared from well-rotted manure, ripened compost, rotten plant tops, and food waste is placed in a container or pit. The substrate must mature. To do this, it is kept for the required time, regularly moistened with warm water and stirred every 2-3 days. Initially, under the influence of the processes taking place in the mixture, the temperature will rise to 40-50 ° C. At the end of the fermentation of the components, its values ​​decrease and remain stable.

Vermicultivation Technology

When the substrate is fully ripened, Californian ones are launched into it at home, which allows them to be obtained in sufficient quantities for the desired volume of the mixture. The laying rate is 700-1500 pieces per cubic meter of substrate. You can determine the suitability of the mixture for launching worms by first placing 50 individuals in it. If they feel good, add the rest, evenly distributing over the surface of the substrate.

The acidity of the prepared mixture should be in the range of 6-8 points. Periodic gentle loosening will provide free access to the inner layers of the air necessary for the worms to breathe. Regular irrigation with settled water heated to 20 ° C will create a fairly humid environment. To maintain optimal values ​​​​of temperature and humidity of the substrate, the container is covered with a layer of straw.

Collection of vermicompost

During the first 1-2 months, the worms adapt to the new environment. Then they begin to actively multiply and process the components of the mixture into biohumus. Every 10 days, additional application of a nutrient substrate is necessary as a top dressing. After 3-4 months, you need to check the number of worms. If it has increased significantly, you can begin to separate them and use the finished fertilizer for its intended purpose.

There are 2 ways to free the vermicompost from the worms in it. One of them uses sifting the substrate through a sieve. The worms are then transferred to another container. In the second method, the introduction of top dressing is delayed for several days. Then pour a new portion of the substrate on the surface of the box. When the hungry worms rise up, they are separated and moved to another place.

Application of vermicompost

The production of vermicompost at home presents a certain benefit. It can be used not only for fertilizing a personal or summer cottage, but also for sale. To reduce the cost of obtaining this environmentally friendly and highly effective material will allow the presence of pets that provide the technological process with a sufficient amount of manure.

Surplus vermicompost can be sold to neighbors in the country, farmers. With a significant volume of production - on the market or in bulk in your own online store. Worms can be in demand by fish or poultry farms. In order to sell biohumus, the price for 1 kg of which ranges from 10 to 20 rubles, it should be offered to potential buyers in a package that is convenient for use.

Product packaging

Dry vermicompost is packed in polyethylene bags. In the manufacture of liquid humus in a concentrated form, the best option is bottling in plastic bottles. Like the widely used "Em" preparations, they contain many beneficial soil microorganisms that improve soil fertility and ensure high yields in the most environmentally friendly way.

When packing in bags, biohumus should be pre-weighed. The price for 1 kg can be indicated on the label or not affixed to the wholesale sales of the material. The cost of goods in different regions varies significantly. As well as liquid preparations "Em", it is desirable that the packaged vermicompost contains instructions outlining the properties of the material and the rules for its use.

Instructions for use

Vermicompost is in demand not only for growing fruits and vegetables. It is widely used in floriculture, to restore depleted soil that has lost its natural properties. It can also be used to reduce the number of harmful insects, since the microorganisms that make up the preparation are able to break down the chitin of their external skeleton.

In what quantities and how best to apply biohumus - the instruction covers in detail all the issues that arise when using fertilizer. The time of its introduction into the ground is not limited. The drug has a prolonged action, giving good results for several years. Concentrated biohumus is diluted three times. It is recommended to add it to water when watering plants and spraying trees.

Application features

The drug is used for the preparation of soil mixtures. Biohumus is especially useful for seedlings. It is enough to add 1 part of the product to 3-5 parts of peat. Before planting the grown plants in the ground, about 150 g of fertilizer should be added to the wells, mixed with the ground. The planted bushes are watered abundantly, and the soil surface around the seedling is mulched with a small layer of biohumus.

It is possible to protect plants from damage by insect pests by introducing the agent into the soil or by surface treatment of their vegetative parts with its aqueous solution. A good effect is given by regular feeding of vegetable crops, trees, shrubs, flowers. For these purposes, it is enough to apply 0.5 kg of biohumus per 1 m 2 for plants every 30 days.

Using vermicompost for soil restoration

Biohumus quickly increases the nutritional value of the soil, supplementing it with a complex of substances necessary for the good development of plants. The soil microorganisms contained in it contribute to the transformation of plant and animal residues into easily digestible compounds.

The addition of biohumus to the soil that has lost its fertility due to the immoderate application of chemicals increases the content of useful elements in it, improves the structure of the soil, and neutralizes high acidity. This allows you to create an environment in which those involved in the formation of the fertile soil layer are able to live. Increasing the concentration of humus most directly affects the quantity and quality of the crop.

Seasoned fishermen are well acquainted with the indispensable attribute of their favorite hobby: worms. However, even experienced anglers do not know the name of the worms used as bait and, moreover, they do not suspect that they can be used not only for fishing. Vermiferma — promising and low-competitive business. You can breed Californian worms even at home, and investments in this business are minimal. From the article you will learn how to earn up to 200 thousand rubles per month on breeding worms at home or on a personal plot.

Worms are common invertebrates on Earth. There are a great many of them, however, biologists distinguish three main subspecies of earthworms: Anecic, Endogeic and Epigeic.

First lives on the surface of the earth and if he needs a "burrow", then he digs it vertically. If it is transferred to atypical conditions, then it will lose the ability to reproduce. This is true for the artificially created environment as well. Anecic is important for soil formation.

Second prefers mineral soil with a meager proportion of organic matter. The minks are horizontal and rarely come to the surface. Constantly processes the soil, enriching it with various nutrients. However, it also loses the ability to reproduce when transferred to an artificial habitat.

Third the type is the red California worm and it endures any conditions, so it is necessary to derive economic benefit from it. This species prefers to process organic matter (leaves, bark, etc.). Minks dig neat and short.

To whom to sell California worms?

Contrary to popular belief, not only anglers can sell worms. Implementation takes place through the following channels:

• Farms just planning to start operations;
• Summer residents to increase the population of worms in the gardens;
• Fishermen in places where there are few or no worms;
• Fishing shops (both for sale and for cultivation);
• Producers of biohumus;
• Pet lovers, pet stores (for feeding pets).

However, before you sell, you need to grow Californian worms. Let's see how this business works.

Where to begin

To breed worms at home, you will need to purchase: scales, a sieve, a shovel, pitchforks, buckets, a wheelbarrow, thermometers, boxes or containers for growing. Much depends on the quality of the soil: the intensity of reproduction, the life cycles of worms, their appearance.

Each container must be half filled with humus and crushed cardboard, mail moisture should not be below 70%. If you don't have a moisture meter, just squeeze the soil in your hand: if there are a couple of drops of water left, then the humidity is right.

When starting a business, do not rush to buy expensive equipment: for growing, you can take wooden boxes or even plastic food boxes. Be sure to make holes for ventilation.

A separate room is allocated for the vermi farm, the temperature regime of which should be 18 to 25 degrees. When watering, use water without chlorine: it adversely affects the quality of the life cycle of the worm.

You can buy breeding stock both on the Internet and from the owners of local farms. Pay attention to the appearance of the worm: it must be mobile, the color is red. The livestock includes no more than 1.5 thousand individuals. There should be no more than 3 families per 1 m2.

California worm cocoons are sold on the Internet. Minimum order from 300-500 pcs. The advantage is the absence of problems during transportation even over long distances. From one cocoon, 5-25 fry hatch, which tolerate artificial soil better than adults. The cost of 1 cocoon is from 3 to 8 rubles for 1 piece.

How to settle and care for

Prepare the ground. After 2-3 days, make a recess in it and populate the first worms. Then cover them with soil and cover the container with a lid. After another 1-2 days, add food. After a week, it is worth checking whether everything is in order with the inhabitants of the container, perhaps some of the settlers have died. If you find dead worms, then vary the acidity level: to increase it, add straw or sawdust, and to decrease it, add limestone, chalk, egg shells. Ideally, the surface of the earth should be clean, and the worms should be as mobile as possible.

You can feed the worms with any plant food: potatoes, cabbage, banana skins, watermelon peels, bread, grass. Worms are vegetarians and therefore you should not give them meat and eggs. Also, don't feed them citrus fruits. Feed food should be in a crushed form: they will not be able to process large pieces. Try to keep the composition of the feed constant, the worms do not tolerate the change of food.

They multiply quickly and therefore prepare boxes for transplanting young animals in advance. Over the winter, one family increases by 10 times or more. Remember that they need moisture, so water the soil regularly. And also the worms need oxygen, and if the soil depth is more than 20 cm, then carry out regular loosening.

Profitability

Up to 10 thousand worms and about 0.5 tons of biohumus are obtained from 1 cubic meter. The cost of a worm is about 2-3 rubles, the cost of biohumus varies. One box or small container of fishing or pet food worms can be sold for 250 - 350 rubles. The cost of 1 kg of worms reaches several thousand rubles.

Return on investment comes in 2-3 years. Many entrepreneurs do not take such a business seriously and therefore do not reach the payback point. It is necessary to constantly monitor the temperature of the vermifarm, as well as humidity. Worms can only survive in conditions 70-80% humidity. Competition in the market is minimal, so the creation of a vermifarm in an apartment or in a country house is a promising line of business.

The overall profitability depends on a large number of factors, but the main one is farm size. The larger the worm breeding area, the more profit you will receive. Try yourself in this business by organizing one container of worms and once you feel the progress just buy more containers or build a farm on the land. Remember to promote your business: agree in advance with fishing and pet stores on the supply of worms for subsequent sale (deliveries should be made in bulk).

Pros and cons

Vermifarm carries minimal risks: it is enough to try yourself in this business with a small investment. Organize a worm farm even in an old refrigerator or wooden box. If you lack experience or information, look for it on the Internet: watch a couple of training videos.

There are no shortcomings in this business, it is simply excellent, according to the reviews of entrepreneurs. With a serious approach, this working business will bring serious income.

Do not assume that the production of worms is focused only on pet stores and fishing shops. One of the main lines of business is the creation of vermicompost used on farms and in private households. This fertilizer is in demand both in Russia and abroad. Biohumus today is a profitable investment.