Plastic or glass containers are the best options as they will contain the dirt effectively and keep moisture and heat inside the habitat. Don’t use a cage or a container with openings on the sides, as it will be harder to keep the soil moist.
Opt for potter’s soil or nutrient-rich soil instead of dry dirt, as it is healthier for worms. Worms need dirt to burrow, and sand will keep moisture trapped inside the soil.
Having a moist environment is essential, as worms need to keep their skin hydrated to thrive.
Worms will eat just about anything you give them, but it is recommended to start with fruit and veggie scraps to enrich the soil with the worms’ excrement. Avoid giving your worms anything non-organic, such as metal and plastic, greasy foods, and avoid giving your worms acidic fruits such as pineapple or orange flesh, and never give your worms feces. These can raise the pH of the soil, and can cause temperature issues due to rotting. [3] X Research source
Plastic and glass animal containers will usually come with a cover with holes on top. For habitats in bottles or jars, cut a few small holes in the top lid to provide fresh air.
If you don’t have a reliably dark place to keep the worms, consider laying some paper or opaque plastic on the sides and top of the container. This will prevent you from easily looking at the worms, but it will keep light from getting into their habitat and keep the container cool. [5] X Research source
Do not give your worms manure, as it naturally gives off a lot of heat which can raise the temperature of the habitat. [7] X Research source You can raise the temperature of the habitat, if it gets too cold, by placing a porous piece of carpet over the top, which helps to keep heat in. Lower the temperature if it gets too hot by removing the top cover and gently mixing the soil around to allow air to ventilate.
Worms like rotting food, but remove anything that gets moldy. Avoid giving your worms meat or greasy foods to reduce the risk of mold developing in the habitat. [9] X Research source
Use a light bleach solution to wipe down the container after you empty the soil, but be sure to completely wipe away the bleach with a wet rag afterwards. Even a small amount of bleach can be harmful for your worms and can make the soil inhabitable.
