Red wiggler worms serve the ecosystem as scavengers; they feed themselves and decompose themselves on dead plants and animals. They are mainly used for composting and farming in artificial, man-made ecosystems. To your good news, red wiggler worms help the soil become more fertile, and the yield of the crop also increases. It also converts the remaining food items and vegetable peels into worm manure, or vermicompost, which we can also call fertilizer.
Are red wiggler worms best for the process of composting?
There are more than 2,700 varieties of worms on the planet, but only a few have the potential to compost. Among the huge variety, red wiggler worms are considered ideal for composting for their small size and their different conditions.
Advantages of red wiggler worms
- They can consume up to half of their body weight in leftover food.
- They can survive on fruits, vegetables, paper, and bread.
- They are considered to be very strong and low-maintenance.
- They are capable of tolerating an extreme range of temperatures, and they are very versatile.
- They mature very quickly.
- They have the potential to reproduce faster than any other variety of worms.
- They live in a colony system.
- They never try to crawl out of the bin.
Role of the red wiggler worm in the ecosystem
- They help in digging the pathways in the soil, which helps the soil get an adequate amount of water and air, hence making the soil more fertile.
- They are capable of eating the whole time; they survive on dead animals, vegetable peels, fruits, dead plants, leftover food items, etc. They help in recycling things by converting the waste into vermicompost or fertilizers that are rich in nutrients and hence promote healthy plant growth.
- They are also a prominent source of food for other creatures in the ecosystem, like birds and snails.
- They help in converting biodegradable wastes into organic fertilizers, which are very good for the growth of the plant.
Conclusion
It will be really fun to make your organic fertilizer with the waste that you throw in the bins. The daily waste from your home, like vegetable waste, fruits, paper, and leftover foods, can be converted into vermicompost or fertilizer, and the main agent that helps in the process are worms. There are various types of worms, but the most easily found and hardy worm is the red wiggler worm; they are eligible to convert the wastes into organic fertilizers.
The author, Dr. David K Simson is a trained radiation oncologist specializing in advanced radiation techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) / Rapid Arc, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). He is also experienced in interstitial, intracavitary, and intraluminal brachytherapy.
