Probably the easiest way to gather earthworms is to simply leave a flattened, wet piece of cardboard out in the yard overnight. This will attract the worms to the surface (for several reasons) and when you remove the cardboard, there will be loads of worms!
Once the soapy solution is poured over the dirt or grassy area, worms should start to wiggle to the surface. It may take a few minutes for most of the worms to surface, but as they do, use your fingers to pick them up and put them in a container until you can rinse them off later.
Earthworms are safe and fun to touch, as this Discovery Garden visitor proves.
Disinfect surfaces and objects. Note: The health department may instruct you to soak contaminated surfaces for 20 minutes with a 3% hydrogen peroxide (99% kill rate) and then rinse them thoroughly.
Whatever the reason, some worms get caught out as the rain evaporates and movement becomes difficult, if not impossible. Putting worms back onto the grass or soil is an appropriate kindness.
Earthworms have such a high sensitivity to salt the overexposure can result in reduced growth and their sensitive skin being destroyed. All this is because the worms do not have control over their osmotic regulation.
The worms that have been reported to have been found in tap water are midge larvae, flatworms, roundworms (otherwise known as nematodes), and rotifers. The typical size of parasitic worms or helmiths, such as flukes, tapeworms, hookworms, ascris, pinworms, trichina worms, and filaria worms is 30-50 microns in diameter.
But parasites can easily sneak into our tap water supplies too. Both here in the United States and abroad, even if your tap water is running clear, that doesn't mean it's entirely safe. The microscopic parasite Giardia, for example, is found in every region of the US.
Most worm charming methods involve vibrating the soil, which encourages the worms to the surface. In 2008, researchers from Vanderbilt University claimed that the worms surface because the vibrations are similar to those produced by digging moles, which prey on earthworms.
Moisture Issue Worms will drown if things get too wet. This would be more likely if your bin has a plastic bottom and they could not escape. If things are too wet or too dry they will leave. Good chance they'd come back once conditions become ideal for them.
Threadworm eggs can survive on surfaces for up to two weeks. As well as being swallowed by a person who touches a contaminated object or surface, threadworm eggs can also be swallowed after being breathed in. This can happen if the eggs become airborne – for example, after shaking a contaminated towel or bed sheet.
Any worms in your gut will eventually pass out in your poo. You may not notice this. To avoid becoming infected again or infecting others, it's very important during the weeks after starting treatment to wash your hands: after going to the toilet.
These can survive for up to 2 weeks outside the body on underwear, bedding etc. Good hygiene will clear any eggs from the body and the home, and prevent any eggs from being swallowed.
As earthworms need moisture to breathe, the acidity of vinegar will cause moisture to leave their bodies, likely resulting in their death. It may be difficult to kill only earthworms with vinegar, however. If sprayed on the lawn where you are trying to get rid of the worms, you will also kill the grass.
Composting worms will absolutely love eating any members of the cucurbitaceae plant family like pumpkins, squash, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, etc. These fruits break down very quickly, are high in sugar, and lack the sinewy nature of plants like broccoli, so worms are quick to swarm them in your worm bin.
You should never add meat, animal products, dairy products, or greasy, oily foods to the worm bin. The oils, meat, and milk become rancid as they decompose.
Tea Bags: Yes! The tea bags will start to break down in the worm bin, and the worms will finish off the contents. The string and paper tab might not break down as quickly. You can rip them off before saving a tea bag.