Techniques for raising earthworms and how to care for them well

Raising earthworms to produce fertilizer is a method of producing high quality fertilizer. Raising earthworms not only helps reduce the problem of organic waste management. But it also helps improve the quality of the soil and the environment. Here are the steps for raising earthworms to produce organic fertilizer:

Earthworms that are popular to raise in Thailand

In Thailand, earthworm farming for the production of organic fertilizers and food waste management is becoming more popular. This is because earthworms are animals that are beneficial to soil development and the general environment. There are also some very popular types of earthworms, including:

1.African Nightclub (Eudrilus Eugeniae):

This type of earthworm is a popular feeder for the production of organic fertilizers and decomposition of plant residues and food scraps. It is resistant to changing environments such as temperature and humidity. It has a dark color and is large compared to other species. It can grow quickly. and can produce a lot of manure Suitable for cultivation to produce organic fertilizers in large quantities.

2. Blue Worm (Perionyx Excavatus):

These earthworms are smaller in size but vary in color. They are usually blue or green. Used to decompose plant remains and other organic materials well. It is commonly used in areas where there are many types of vegetables and fruits. Because it can improve the fertility of the soil well.

3. Tiger (Eisenia Fetida):

This type of earthworm is red with green stripes. Popular to raise for organic fertilizer production and food waste management. They are environmentally tolerant and suitable for breeding in confined spaces such as containers or plastic boxes.

Raising earthworms to produce organic fertilizer and managing food waste is an environmentally friendly method. It helps in reducing the amount of waste and waste in the seats as well as increasing organic value and improving soil quality. These are effectively adding value to the economy and the general environment in Thailand.

The process of raising earthworms for organic fertilizer production

1. Prepare the environment and equipment

Before starting to raise earthworms You should prepare a suitable environment for earthworms. Including necessary equipment as follows:

Container or pickup: Choose a container or tray that is suitable for raising earthworms. Pots to grow plants or cement ponds can be used as appropriate.
Bedding (food and shelter for earthworms): Prepare good quality bedding. It is friable and has good drainage. It is where earthworms live.
Other food materials: Earthworms feed on organic matter such as vegetable waste, rotten fruit, plant remains, or manure. You can use scraps from your kitchen.

2. Place the bedding in the container.

place BeddingIn the container, the container should be developed with drainage or a hole is drilled, the hole should be a hole that is not large to prevent earthworms from sinking into it. The popular container is usually a basin with b Measure about 50 cm and drill a hole in the bottom.
by placing BeddingIt will not be placed too high, which if Bedding The good will be loose, allowing earthworms to move with ease.

3. Place earthworms and take care of them.

Place the earthworms: Place the earthworms on top of the food material you have prepared. Spread across the soil surface and food materials.
Watering: Water when the soil and food material are dry. But it should not be flooded with water.
Feeding: New feed material is added once earthworms have finished eating the original feed material.

4. Storing organic fertilizer

When earthworms decompose food materials into fertilizer. You can store the organic fertilizer produced by earthworms and use them however you like. Fertilizers are of high quality and contain nutrients that plants need.

Raising earthworms to produce organic fertilisers is a way for you to utilize what is available in other humus and other organic matter as a useful resource for our agriculture and environment in the long term. Proper care and maintenance of earthworms will make raising earthworms a successful experience and effective in producing quality organic fertilizer.

Before collecting vermicompost, watering should be omitted so that the vermicompost on the upper surface dries and can be easily collected.
By collecting vermicompost, the vermicompost at the top is dry. Pick it up as well. If you want vermicompost 100%, you can use a sieve or sifter to sift out other things to leave only the vermicompost.

5. Maintenance and improvement

Preparing food materials: Assess the amount of food that earthworms eat and prepare enough vegetable scraps, rotting fruit, or animal droppings to provide the food they need.
Watering: Control the moisture level in the container by watering it properly. Don't let it be too wet or too dry.
Earthworm Condition Check: Once the earthworms are around 2-3 months old, you should check the earthworm condition to see if the members have the proper capacity and balance to decompose the food material.

6. Dealing with problems and enemies

Raising earthworms may encounter various problems or enemies. that may affect the raising process Therefore, the following preliminary arrangements should be made:

Humidity Control: Care should be taken not to over-water as this can cause earthworms to die or escape from the host.
Temperature control: If the temperature is too high It can easily cause earthworms to die. It is best to place the container in shade or use a method to lower the temperature.
Pest control: Be careful with various enemies such as red mites, ants, rats, birds, and various groups of insects. which may eat the earthworms or cause the earthworms to die.
Dealing with musty smells: If there is musty smells caused by the decomposition of organic matter. Food materials should be changed and watering controlled to reduce musty odors.

7. Propagation of earthworms

In the earthworm culture, there are often worm eggs along the bending or along the worm castings in large numbers. During the worm castings collection, the worm eggs can be separated by sifting. To be kept under a month and waiting for incubation. Earthworm eggs will have an incubation period of 7-14 days and in 1 month, there may be 3-4 eggs of earthworms. In addition, each egg has a lot of earthworms in it.

Example of preparing a place and equipment for raising earthworms

To begin the process of raising earthworms in the house You need to prepare the right place and equipment for raising earthworms. Examples of site preparation and equipment include:

location: Choose an area that is shaded and protected from direct sunlight. Because earthworms don't like direct sunlight. A well-ventilated location is suitable, such as under a tree or in the shade of a rearing house.

container: Choose an appropriate container for raising earthworms, such as a basin with holes drilled in it. Small to large cement pots or ponds Or you may use plastic cabinet shelves or wooden shelves in the case of wanting to raise a large number of animals.

Bedding : Food or habitat of earthworms. In general, good bedding is manure such as cow manure or milk cow manure. and may be mixed with other ingredients to add crumbs to the bedding such as coconut or dry leaves etc.

Additional equipment: You may need additional equipment, such as a water bucket for watering plants or vegetables. Equipment for harvesting earthworms and droppings and equipment that helps preserve the environment such as Carpet or covering material.

Other food: Prepare a suitable diet for earthworms, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, biodegradable paper. Alternatively, manure or other biodegradable organic matter may be used.

Preparing the earthworm rearing site and equipment is an important step in the rearing process. It provides earthworms with a suitable environment for their growth and their work in decomposing organic matter. Get both equipment and materials ready. You can then begin the process of raising the earthworms.

Environmental conditions affecting the growth of earthworms

The right environment is important to support and promote the earthworm growth process. They are animals that play an important role in the ecosystem and maintaining soil fertility. Therefore, understanding and maintaining the right environment for earthworms is extremely important. So that earthworms can perform their duties in decomposing plant remains and benefit the ecosystem and agriculture as efficiently as possible.

1. Humidity:

Earthworms are animals that live in environments with sufficient moisture. To work and live properly Soil moisture should be within the appropriate range for the type of earthworm. Maintaining the right level of humidity helps in the efficient decomposition process and growth of earthworms.

2.Temperature:

Soil temperature is important in adulthood and earthworm activity. The optimum temperature for earthworm growth is in the range of 15 – 28 °C. Maintaining the optimum temperature will help to optimize the decomposition process and homeostasis of the system.

3.Earthworm food:

earthworm food Earthworm address or “Bedding” by Beding is considered one of the environments. Very necessary for earthworms By if bedding Good and appropriate, causing earthworms to grow well. Good bedding must consist of many things.

Irrigation of earthworms

Earthworm feeding is important to make it suitable for earthworm habitat. Therefore, we will learn how to properly give water to earthworms by following these steps:

1. Bedding preparation:

In the first bedding Spray water on the surface of the bedding. Then use your hands to gently hold the bedding to allow the water to enter the bedding. If you see water seeping out through the cracks of your hand This indicates that there is sufficient moisture for the earthworms to live in. Will be able to stay in bedding for about 14-20 days in this first round.

2. Next humidity check:

After about 14-20 days, if you see that the bed surface is dry. Try checking under the bottom of the basin or container to see if there is moisture or not. If it's still dry, use more water spray. But if it's not dry, you don't need to water it more. Earthworms may continue to live in the bedding.

3. Checking humidity during growth:

When earthworms begin to grow and produce droppings If about 10-12 days have passed and you see that the bed surface is dry. No additional watering required. This is because the worm castings created increase the humidity in the bedding. Earthworms are ready to move faster.

Providing proper water for earthworms will allow them to thrive and perform their duties efficiently in decomposing plant remains and creating organic fertilizer in the soil.