Where can I find free compost worms?

Free compost worms, did you say? Yes, you heard me right!

You've decided to start vermicomposting! But to get started, you'll need compost worms. Our worm friends play an essential role in decomposing organic waste and creating nutrient-rich compost.

How to get free compost worms easily? Discover all our tips.

What are compost worms?

Don't confuse compost worms with common earthworms

Only a few species of worm are used for vermicomposting. Compost worms are not your garden's common earthworms! Don't put them in your composter, they're not decomposing worms 😉

What are the right worms for composting?

• Compost worms or manure worms belong to the Eisenia species. They are decomposer or digester worms. They are small and slender (5-10 cm long, 2-4 mm in diameter). Epigeic worms, they live in the first few centimeters of soil, where they feed on decomposing plant matter 🍂.

Worms not to use in a vermicomposter

• Earthworms(lumbricus terrestris) are plow worms. They are big and fat (13-25 cm long, 7-9 mm in diameter). They live deeper down, digging vertical galleries to mix the soil. They bring down organic matter and bring up trace elements. They are therefore not suitable for vermicomposting.

The super powers of compost worms

Worms play a vital role in composting.

Compost worms play an active role in the decomposition of organic waste. Did you know that? They eat the equivalent of their own weight every day! Thanks to worms, the decomposition process is around 4 times faster than conventional compost.

There's no need to moisten and turn the compost - the worms do all the work for you! Their movements aerate and stir the compost. Which makes worm composters very easy to maintain!

Thanks to the enzymes in their intestines, compost worms suppress the smell of decomposition in the waste they digest. As a result, vermicomposting is odorless. Ideal for an apartment composter!

Where can I find free compost worms?

There are many ways to get free compost worms for your vermicomposter!

Where can you find earthworms in nature?

Compost worms, also known as manure worms, are particularly attracted to manure. You'll be able to find them near a pile of this organic material. Explore especially the areas around the edges of the manure pile, close to the ground.

Where can I find a manure pile? You can find them at local farmers' farms, riding stables, municipal compost depots or gardening associations!

Build a compost worm trap with coffee grounds

You can also try your hand at capturing compost worms with a trap made from coffee grounds! Simple and effective.

Start by digging a hole in your garden. Punch a hole in a plastic container, like an old bucket or plastic bottle. The holes should measure at least 10 mm, to allow the worms to pass through. Place the container in the hole and fill it with coffee grounds. Cover the hole with a lid.

Result: After two weeks, check the container. It should be full of compost worms that love coffee grounds!

Call on your friends and neighbors

In your neighbourhood, there's bound to be someone with a vermicomposter! If it's been running for several months, the compost worms have had time to reproduce. It will be possible to collect a few worms and give them to you to start your vermicomposter.

Did you know? Compost worms reproduce very quickly: their population can double every 2 to 3 months. 

Find a worm donation on the Plus 2 Vers platform

Plus 2 vers has developed a compost worm donation network! This platform brings together people who want to donate their surplus worms free of charge and people looking to adopt worms. 

To find free compost worms near you, consult their interactive map.

What's the best compost activator?

It all depends on your type of composter!

How to activate compost naturally?

For a "classic" composter, we recommend adding manure from herbivorous animals, rich in micro-organisms and nitrogen. You can also add freshly cut grass or dead leaves. Remember to turn your compost regularly to introduce oxygen and encourage the development of the micro-organisms responsible for decomposing your waste.

How do I activate my vermicomposter?

For a vermicomposter, the approach is different. Start by lining your vermicomposter with small pieces of cardboard. You can then set up your compost worms by giving them an initial handful of peelings. A vermicomposter can take a few months to get going, so add peelings and dry matter as your compost decomposes. Once up and running, your vermicomposter will be more efficient than a conventional composter! To find out more, take a look at our article: 6 tips for getting started with your vermicomposter.

Why don't I have worms in my compost?

If you're starting a compost from scratch, worms may never have been introduced. Worms don't always occur naturally in all composts, especially if they're in a bin or if the compost is new. You can add red worms (Eisenia fetida) or earthworms to get your compost started.

Worms are essential for starting up a vermicomposter. Our terracotta vermicomposters come complete with worms and all the micro-fauna and all the micro-fauna you need to get started.

Discover our vermiculture farm

Did you know that we breed nour own earthworms on our vermiculture farm ? It's located in Écully, near Lyon.

Our 500g bags of compost worms contain adult, juvenile and egg individuals, as well as all the soil microfauna needed to get your vermicompost bin off the ground 🪱

The worms are packed in an organic cotton bag to keep them cool. Once you receive them, simply pour the contents of the bag into your vermicomposter!

Conclusion: Where can I get compost worms?

To conclude, you can find compost worms :

• From friends and family with a healthy vermicomposter
• Directly in nature near manure piles, or by attracting them with coffee grounds.
• Via the Plus 2 Vers association
• Or buy compost worms directly from our store to ensure an easy start with the right worm species!

For more information on compost worms, read our ultimate guide to worm composting.