What to do when the order arrives:

Bulk Worms: Wax Worms:

Bulk worms are shipped in "DRY" bedding. This is done to keep them from drowning in their own moisture. Although worms live in very wet conditions, they need air. By sending them in dry bedding, they get enough air, but they also shrink in size. The size returns very quickly with the addition of moisture.

When the order arrives, dump the contents of the bag into a shallow plastic tub. We find that a Styrlite or Rubber Maid type works great. They can be found at Wal-Mart. Don't worry about the lid, it won't help keep worms in. That can only be done with LIGHT. The amount of bedding they came in should last them about 2-3 weeks. Add 1 pint of room temp. (NOT COLD) water (NO CHLORINE please) per pound of worms. (there are about 350 worms per pound). Just pour the water in the center of the tub. Cover the center of the tub with a damp news paper, it helps hold moisture, and the worms will eat the paper. Leave room around the edges of the news paper for light to hit the bedding. The worms need to be kept where they are cool. 50-70 degrees. To cold and they will crawl out and look for someplace warmer. To hot and the will die. Keep sides of tub dry, or the worms will also crawl.

If the worms start to ball up, they are prob. to dry, add some water. If they begin to lay around the edges of the tub, add some fresh bedding to the center of the tub. (Bedding is Sphagnum Peat, sold in most garden shops). If you want to feed them, they love tomatoes, instant mashed potatoes, apples, peaches, anything you would put in soup, corn meal, pasta (No sauce or dressing). BUT do not over feed. A couple of tablespoons is plenty for 1000 worms. Do not feed again until feed is gone.