Worms are live bait that is often the main choice of anglers. Small worms such as red worms are usually used for fishing for panfish, while larger worms such as earthworms are used to catch catfish, bass and walleye. Many anglers buy their live bait in the evening or the morning before fishing. For those who often fish, the cost of buying bait can be quite burdensome. You can save money and improve the quality of your home's soil by keeping your own worms at home. Follow these steps to do this.
Step
Step 1. Create a worm cage
Building a cage to keep earthworms allows you to ensure that the soil in which you keep the worms is maintained. There are several materials to choose from to make worm cages in various sizes.
- You can make the cage according to the size you want. Usually, a length of 1-2 meters, a width of 0.5-1 meters, and a depth of 30-60 cm is ideal.
- You can build a cage outdoors or indoors, depending on the climate you live in. The worm cage should be in shaded soil and not freeze during the winter. You don't need to make cage pads unless the cage is small enough to lift. As long as you are fed regularly, your worms will not escape. However, you can add a roof to direct rainwater, or wire mesh to protect against pangolins or armadillos.
- Wood is pretty good and ideal for making worm cages. You can use 1 x 12 wood for the sides. You do not need to use pressure treated wood because rotten wood can be replaced easily.
- You can use concrete blocks (cinder blocks) to frame the worm cage so you can always keep the worms in the same cage outdoors.
- You can stack some of the wire mesh to make a worm cage. However, you will need to cover the sides with burlap to prevent the worms from escaping while allowing your worms to breathe freely.
- If you decide not to build a real cage, you can also use polystyrene foam coolers.
Step 2. Fill the cage with peat
The amount of peat given should be sufficient so that it can protect the worms from the sun and provide a shadow over the cage to prevent the worms from drying out due to the heat of the sun. Fill the peat to at least half the cage.
Step 3. Water the peat
Start with a light watering using a garden hose, followed by regular watering to keep it moist. Ideally, the soil is moistened until it resembles a damp sponge.
Do not give too much water until it pools in the ground. Your worms will drown
Step 4. Fill your cage with worms
You can buy worms from a fishing supply store. Preferably, the cage contains 2 dozen worms per 30 centimeters squared.
Step 5. Keep the cage temperature above freezing
Worms will try to get out of the soil if the temperature is too cold and shrivel and die if it is too hot. Keep the soil temperature in the range of 5-10 degrees Celsius.
Step 6. Make sure the worms are getting enough oxygen
The peat or other contents of the cage should be loose enough to allow air to enter the soil. If you must use a porous material for the worm cage frame, make small holes to allow air flow,
Temperature also has an impact on oxygen levels. The warmer the soil or water in the worm cage, the less oxygen there will be
Step 7. Feed your worms regularly
Although the worms will take nutrients from the soil they live in, you will still need to add nutrients to the soil by fertilizing the soil using coffee beans, grass clippings, animal manure, wheat or cornstarch, or wet leaves. Use 0.45 kg of compost material for every 0.45 kg of worms in your worm cage (some people recommend placing composted food in the soil of the cage before placing worms in it.)
Too much food will increase the heat and dehydrate the worms. While still wet, excess food will grow mold, attracting ants, mites, and cockroaches which also attract insectivorous animals such as pangolins or armadillos
Step 8. Change your soil every 6 months
Use a earthen fork and a dirt comb throughout the cage to force the worms to one side. Take the soil separated from the worms and use it to fertilize your yard. Replace the worm cage soil with fresh peat.
Tips
- If you keep too many worms, feel free to sell excess worms at a fishing supply store or give them to someone else who wants them.
- Although the worms should be kept out of direct sunlight, if the worms try to escape by crawling over the cage, turn on the lights above the cage to reduce this behavior.
- When you pick up worms, take just enough for your fishing needs. You can use special worm containers with porous sides, or ice cream cartons filled with peat or other worm cage material with air holes to allow oxygen to flow.
