In Russia and all over the world, the business of breeding worms is becoming more widespread. This is a new, but rapidly developing type of activity that can bring the owner a high stable income, since worms are in demand in many areas (for example, pharmaceuticals, fishing goods).

Consider the main markets for products, the features and profitability of the business, recommendations for the care and maintenance of worms, as well as the problems that may arise, so that you can understand whether this type of activity is right for you and whether it is really profitable and promising.

Sales market

Potential consumers of the received products will be:

The demand for worms and their vital products (biohumus) is great, thanks to which a businessman will be able to get a stable client base and a sales market, including regular individual customers.

Business features

This type of activity is suitable for those who live in rural areas, or owners of summer cottages.

Business features are that:

1. Worm breeding activities do not require large financial costs and the purchase of special equipment. When buying worms in bulk, there are significant discounts, and you can use leftover food as feed. At the initial stage, a small a home farm will cost an entrepreneur 4500-5000 rubles.
2. Unpretentiousness worms that do not require special care and are not demanding in feed, breeding.
3. A large number of potential clients in various fields. The ability to create a permanent customer base.
4. No need to obtain permits for breeding worms. You just need to go through a simple registration process as an individual entrepreneur.
5. High demand and lack of significant competition, as the worm breeding business is a new and not yet sufficiently developed type of activity in Russia.

To get high income in the shortest possible time, it is necessary to draw up a clear business plan and adhere to it. The main components of this business plan will be:

• planned volumes of production and sale of products (worms, biohumus);
• the production part (expenses for the purchase of worms);
• marketing part (advertising, product prices);
• organizational part (information about suppliers, partners, buyers, personnel);
• assessment of possible risks;
• financial part (sources of financing, planned income);
• conclusion (the purpose of drawing up a business plan and carrying out activities for breeding worms).

Profitability

The profit depends on the volume of production and the size of the land used. The profitability of this type of activity is high (100-130%), and if there is a stable demand, the business will pay off in 8 months - 1 year.

Growing Californian worms is more profitable than other species if your goal is to obtain biohumus, as they produce biomass faster, which has valuable properties. The resulting biomass is in high demand due to the high content of enzymes, active substances and microflora. California worms are readily purchased by fisheries and shops, as well as fishermen.

The average cost of one worm is from 30 kopecks to 1 ruble, it all depends on the region, in large cities the demand and cost is higher. If you are raising worms for sale, then it is better to give preference to the "prospector" worm, which reproduces much faster than the American species.

The income received from the enterprise ranges from 40,000 rubles to 200,000 rubles per month.

The profitability of the business can be increased to 500-700%, but in this case, significant financial investments will be required to purchase feed for a large number of worms, which can be reduced if there is a farm for growing vegetables and fruits. In this case, you will have a full cycle worm farm, which will save you from feed costs and the seasonal nature of the business. Additional investments will be required for advertising to find large regular customers, but the result will not take long and it is possible to get a high income.

Income can be significantly increased if you create your own sales network. In this case, additional financial investments will be required for renting premises, purchasing equipment and hiring personnel.

Breeding area

Worms are bred in vegetable gardens or summer cottages, for which boxes made of wood or plastic are used. The optimal height of the boxes is 30-40 centimeters.

If the worms are bred in an open area, then it is imperative to protect it with a protective net or you can use a concreted area, otherwise the invasion of moles and other pests cannot be avoided. If the boxes are placed in sheds, cellars or other rooms, then worms can be bred all year round.

For the cultivation of enkhitrei (white worms), you can use jars, aquariums, crystallizers and other vessels, into which water is poured 2-3 centimeters. Water can only be used standing, aquarium or rainwater, which must be changed daily.

Breeding California worms as a business - the video below is about this.

Features of care and maintenance

It is necessary to maintain the optimum temperature from +15 to +25 degrees Celsius, and the air humidity should be 75-80%. The acidity of the neutral medium must be maintained at 7 pH.

The box with worms is covered with a lid, burlap, hay, which protects them from excessive light and drying out.

The following are used as feed:

• manure (rabbit, cow, pork, goat);
• food waste (residues of vegetables and fruits);
• soaked and shredded paper (newspapers, cardboard);
• used tea or coffee brew.

You can not use manure that has been lying for more than 2 years, as it contains few nutrients and is not suitable for worms. Rabbit and goat manure can be used almost immediately after receipt, and pork and cow manure must lie for at least six months, otherwise the worms will die.

To accelerate the fermentation of pig and cow manure, preparations containing effective microorganisms are used. It is forbidden to use food waste of animal origin (meat, eggs, etc.) for feeding worms. Solid food should be minced in a meat grinder or blender.

They feed the worms every one and a half to two weeks. The frequency of feeding depends on the number of individuals and the temperature of their keeping, since at high temperatures the activity of the worms increases.

In addition to feeding and maintaining the optimal temperature, humidity and acidity of the environment, it is also necessary to regularly loosen and water the compost in the boxes. For watering, use a watering can with small holes, and for loosening - a pitchfork with rounded ends, loosening the compost, you cannot mix its layers.

A new batch of worms is populated into wet compost, which must be pre-kept for a week and watered regularly. The worms in the compost are distributed evenly and after 2-3 days the first feeding is carried out by layering the food on the surface of the compost with a layer of 3-5 centimeters.

Check worm activity regularly, especially after settling a batch in new compost. The mobility and activity of individuals is a sign of their health and well-being. If the worms are lethargic and do not hide from the light, then it is necessary to relocate them to a new biomass from another source.

In winter, worms can be kept in heated rooms or outdoors. When the temperature drops to -5 degrees Celsius, the compost is covered with a layer of manure (20-30 centimeters), which is watered and covered with a layer of hay on top. The total height of the compost with hay and manure should be 100-130 centimeters, which helps keep the worms warm even in the coldest winter and hibernate. Upon awakening in the spring, they will feed on the top layer.

Possible problems

Breeding worms is a long and painstaking process, despite the unpretentiousness of the individuals. The main problem that may arise is associated with removing the worms from their substrate, while it is important to keep them alive.

There are several ways to get live worms.

Stop feeding them for 3-4 days. After the days have elapsed, new food is added to a part of the biomass, into which the hungry individuals move. After 2 days, the layer of food with worms is removed. In order to collect all the worms, this procedure is carried out at least 3 times (once a week). Worms can also be additionally attracted by cutting paper dipped in sugar, cutting vegetables and fruits.

If the worms are bred in order to obtain biomass and it is necessary to free it from individuals, then the following method is also used: the use of special boxes, for example, with a lattice or mesh bottom, double boxes with a lattice in the middle. Thanks to the design of such boxes, worms crawl from one box to another at the right time, releasing vermicompost.

Breeding worms is a new, highly efficient business that is highly profitable and is becoming more widespread in Russia. In order to obtain a stable income, worms can be bred in "household" farms, which are quite easy to organize in the country or in a personal plot. But if the goal of the enterprise is to generate high income and bring the profitability of the business to 700%, then it is worth creating a full circle of production, when worms are bred on farms for growing vegetables and fruits, and also draw up a competent business plan.

The resulting products (live worms and biomass) can be sold in your own network of shops selling fishing goods, pet stores or points of sale of fertilizers for horticultural and summer cottages.

Before opening a farm, you need to study the market in advance and find out exactly if your products will be needed. Breeding worms is an opportunity not only to sell the worms themselves, but also biohumus, which is a fertilizer and will be in demand by many summer residents, as well as farms. Worms live long enough, and few fishermen today are looking for bait with their own hands.

It is much easier to go to a specialty store and buy worms. It is very profitable to cooperate with such shops, the cost of one worm is about 2 rubles, and since fishing requires at least 30 pieces, several packages a day will definitely diverge.

Business registration

In order not to have problems with the tax authorities and to be able to conduct business legally, it is necessary to correctly approach the registration. The best thing in such a situation is to register individual entrepreneurship. The procedure usually does not cause any difficulties, you just need to contact the tax office at your place of residence.

The tax officer will need to provide an application in the form, a mandatory receipt for payment of the state fee and a photocopy of his own passport.

Breeding worms at home does not require obtaining any permits, you can immediately proceed to equipping the farm and buying the necessary equipment.

Profitability

A good profit from running a worm breeding business can be obtained even if there is no large initial investment. Usually there are few competitors in such activities, but monitoring the market will still not be superfluous. A simple appeal to the fishing shops in your city and nearby settlements will allow you to understand exactly whether there will be a demand for products.

It is very easy to calculate the seasonal demand for packs of worms: about 300 boxes go to one store. Each box contains 30-35 worms, which cost about 2 rubles. Thus, you can get a profit of about 6 thousand rubles. This amount will bring one store for several summer and autumn months. In a small town, several stores will generate a profit of 30 thousand rubles each season.

To start your business, you need to create a well-thought-out business plan, which must include the following costs:

1. for breeding, it will be necessary to purchase worms in the amount of about 300 rubles;
2. containers for growing will cost about 1000 rubles;
3. feeding for worms - within 1000 rubles.

As you can see, home breeding of worms requires only 5000 rubles of initial capital ... The amount can be increased if the production volume is large or, on the contrary, reduced.

Breeding conditions for California worms

Worms can be bred in ordinary boxes, which can be purchased ready-made or made by hand. The top of the drawers must be closed with a special lid, in which several holes are left for air circulation. Keeping worms in simple wooden boxes is very economical, which is especially important when starting a business. Going forward, if all goes well, many plastic containers can be purchased.

Breeding California worms is a simple process and with a small number of containers you can easily handle it yourself. Another advantage of this type of business is the fact that there is no need to rent or buy land for a farm. You can place a couple of boxes in any small shed, and not having to hire workers will reduce your labor costs.

Equipment costs

A more professional equipment for keeping and breeding worms is a vercomposter, but its cost is quite high. Therefore, it is more suitable for those entrepreneurs who already have established businesses.

Eating worms

As for the nutrition of worms, live plants are not suitable for this. The California worm can only consume plant debris that has begun to rot: cabbage, apple pieces, peelings from carrots and beets, as well as coffee grounds and sleeping tea. Any meat additives are excluded, but you can give them non-milk porridge.

In any case, the cost of feeding such unpretentious invertebrates will be minimal. It also eliminates the need to purchase a vaccine for vaccination and various kinds of vitamin supplements, so you can start making money with minimal investment.

Differences in growing earthworms and California worms

Breeding earthworms has many advantages:

• there is no need to spend a lot of money on the purchase of equipment, cages and other attributes;
• land rent and farm workers are not needed;
• wholesale purchase of worms for breeding will be quite inexpensive;
• worms are unpretentious and less prone to various kinds of diseases, which cannot be said about rabbits or chinchillas;
• no need to get a license and there is also no big competition

Therefore, you can safely take an empty niche and start breeding earthworms. If you made the decision to build a Californian worm breeding business, you need to remember important features.

The California worm multiplies very quickly, you can get about 1500 offspring from one individual per year. He is a long-liver, therefore he spends at least 10 years in the place of cultivation. But there are also disadvantages: if you breed worms in Russia in an open habitat, then there is a risk of death of the entire population in case of frost. This worm is not able to go deep into the ground when it begins to freeze. Therefore, for industrial breeding, a warmed worm house is definitely needed, in which there will be a stable above-zero temperature throughout the winter.

For breeding an earthworm, you can use any room where the temperature ranges from +4 to + 36C. An extension, an attic and even a cellar will become an excellent "farm" on which you can grow entire populations of worms, making a profit with minimal spending.

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The soil, rich in plant and animal organic matter, is the most fertile. This is achieved through the activity of common earthworms. It is they who process the residues of organic compounds, turning them into the most valuable fertile soil, which is called "humus". Western scientists have developed a special kind of worms that reproduce and work much more efficiently than their counterparts. Due to this, breeding worms can be viewed as a business that does not require investment. In this article, we will analyze step by step how to open a business for breeding earthworms.

Which worms to choose?

Breeding such animals at home does not require “purebred” individuals. Local worms that are accustomed to their habitat will do just fine. They easily adapt to closed farm conditions and will reproduce much faster. Therefore, it is better to collect the worms yourself. To do this, a small hole is dug in the ground and covered with manure or decaying leaves. The resulting filler is moistened (in moderation) and covered with a board and cardboard. The first batch of worms will be ready in a week. Please note that their relocation to the box is carried out with part of the soil in which they lived. To breed worms per 1 m 2 of the nursery, it is enough to collect about 1 kg - this is about 1000 individuals on average.

Room selection

There are no special requirements for the selection of premises for a farm, the main thing is that its area meets the needs of an entrepreneur. It is better to place the worms in a heated area - in a garage or a cellar, otherwise when the ambient temperature drops below + 4 ° C, the worms hibernate and you can forget about running this business in winter. If the breeding of worms is expected all year round, then the area of \u200b\u200bthe farm is calculated taking into account the large increase in their number. On large worm farms, their number reaches hundreds of thousands.

Storage tanks

Earthworms are bred in boxes that you can make yourself. The container sizes are taken as required for each specific case. There are several options for making containers for breeding worms:

• Wooden box. It is made of boards with a thickness of at least 2.5 cm. The optimal size of this container is 1x2x0.5 m. The bottom of the box is drilled, and the box itself is placed on wooden blocks with a slope, which ensures the outflow of valuable liquid (it will be discussed below). All seams and corners are upholstered with tin tape to prevent rodents from entering. Remember also about the cover, which can be made from boards or plywood. The main thing is that there is an opening for air in it;
• Plastic container. It is advisable to acquire this type of "home" for worms for a businessman who has already gained experience in this area. This acquisition is very costly, and in case of failure, losing money can be upsetting. When choosing just such a nursery, its complete airtightness is taken into account. Holes will have to be drilled in the cover and sides. Also, when breeding worms in plastic containers, it is necessary to have a hole for the outflow of liquid;
• Old refrigerator. Some savvy entrepreneurs use an old refrigerator as a nursery box. It is installed with the door upwards, and all internal contents are removed as unnecessary. The refrigerator door and walls are provided with openings for air circulation. All boxes for breeding worms, including the old refrigerator, are installed on bars with a slight tilt;
• Cardboard box. This is the best option for a breeding tank for novice businessmen. The size of the box should exceed the dimensions of 40x30 cm. Cardboard is an environmentally friendly material that worms sometimes feed on. It is also very breathable. The only drawback of this material is the fragility of such a "home", but this is not a big deal. The damp box will begin to be eaten by worms, so it can easily fit into another container. It can also be pasted over with fresh cardboard;
• Vermicomposter. Such farms are purchased from specialized firms and are the most convenient of all possible options. However, the cost of vermicomposters is quite high.

Secrets of the worm breeding business

When growing worms, the peculiarities of their natural habitat are taken into account, therefore, the soil in which they live is conventionally divided into 3 layers. The upper layer is rich in organic remains of animals and plants and serves as a place for eating. The lower tier of the worms' habitat serves to accumulate the products of their vital activity - humus and the very valuable liquid called worm "tea". Between these layers of soil, the worms feel most comfortable, therefore their bulk lives there.

Filling the nursery

The process of filling the nursery takes place according to the following technology:

• Half of the prepared container is filled with humus and it is mixed with shredded newspapers or cardboard. This mixture is moistened, but at the same time the release of free moisture is prevented during the compression process. The first 2-3 days, the compost filler intensively releases ammonia, therefore, when the worms are colonized, it is better to wait until the caustic gas is completely removed;
• For 1 m 2 nursery need about 1 kg of worms. Based on this calculation, they are planted in a recess made in prepared soil, with a part of the land where they used to live. The landing site is leveled, moistened and covered with cardboard;
• The next 2-3 days do not disturb the worms, allowing them to adapt to new living conditions;
• If the worms began to spread throughout all the nurseries, then it is concluded that acclimatization was successful. After that, it was time to apply the feed;
• We must not forget about the regular moistening of the soil in the nursery, but excessive consumption of moisture by it threatens the death of worms. They breathe with the skin and will begin to suffocate from a large amount of moisture - it is for this reason that worms appear on the soil surface after rain in search of an opportunity to enrich their simple body with oxygen;
• the breeding site is made quiet and calm, eliminating the likelihood of vibration and loud noises.

Food for worms

When preparing food for worms, a compost heap is organized. For this, food waste is used - vegetable and fruit peelings, flour products, egg shells, tea leaves and coffee grounds, as well as leaves, grass and manure. Excluded from the diet are the waste products of cats and dogs, manure fertilizers for treating animals from worms, garlic, onion and citrus peelings, as well as oils, fats, dairy products, meat and fish waste.

The finished feed is placed approximately once a week in a layer 10 centimeters thick. The degree of food deficiency for the worms is determined using ordinary newsprint or toilet paper, placed and moistened on top of fresh feed. If the worms begin to feed on this paper, then this indicates that the feed stocks have run out and a fresh portion must be added.

Reproduction

The worms reach sexual maturity before the age of two to three months and for the next 4 months they lay cocoons every week. One cocoon matures within 2-3 weeks. Up to 20 individuals appear from it, which after 2 months begin to reproduce. As a result, in 5-6 months the number of worms in one nursery will increase 50 times! If the number of worms per 1 kilogram of soil exceeds 50 adults, then some of them are relocated or receive the first profit when selling it. If this is not done, then the population of worms will decrease naturally.

Possible implementation methods

Sorting of worms is done every 4-6 months. For this, the top of the soil in the nursery is placed to one side, and the layer of worm habitat and humus are removed. Then they begin to sort the worms - mature individuals go on sale or are put aside for business expansion, and small ones return to the nursery and the process of growing worms is resumed.

Novice entrepreneurs sometimes have no idea where to sell their finished products. To do this, you can advise the following:

• Fishing. This is the first thing an aspiring entrepreneur thinks about when he wants to breed worms. This is not surprising, since the worm is a very popular type of bait. In modern society, few are willing to spend their time digging in the ground in order to get the required amount of bait. It is easier to purchase it in specialized fishing stores, where worms are supplied. To try working directly with anglers, you need to search for a client base yourself. The cost of one worm in the store reaches 2 rubles;
• Fish farms. Worms are a delicacy for fish grown in artificial reservoirs. Typically, these establishments require large quantities of worm feed;
• Pet Shop. Here, too, worms are in demand. They are fed to birds, fish and other lovers of similar “dishes”;
• Humus. This waste product of worms is used to increase soil fertility on a land plot. Humus will fit for your own use or for sale to summer residents and horticultural associations;
• Worm "tea". It is a valuable product for breeding worms. To collect it, a drain is made in the bottom of the nursery container. The demand for eco-products is increasing every day, therefore, environmentally friendly, natural fertilizers are constantly in demand. To assess the real value of worm "tea" let us give an example - tomatoes increase productivity almost 2 times after feeding them with this substance.

Economic efficiency

In one year of competent work on breeding worms, about 20,000 individuals and more than one ton of humus are removed from a nursery area of \u200b\u200b2 m 2. If we calculate the profit from only one sale of worms at 2 rubles apiece, then about 40,000 rubles a year is obtained. In this case, the cost of worm "tea" and humus is not taken into account, and large areas of nurseries are not taken into account. With minimal investment and waste-free production, the economic efficiency of growing earthworms is obvious.

In this material:

To organize your business, you do not have to invest impressive amounts of money. For example, breeding worms at home as a business today has begun to be quite popular, since in order to start a business in this area, it is enough to have about 5 thousand rubles.

To some, this may seem not prestigious and even uninteresting. However, you need to understand that the technology for growing high-quality worms is quite complicated. For this reason, this type of business involves a large amount of knowledge and a minimum of investment. That being said, breeding worms as a business can be quite lucrative. To do this, you need to not only create good products for sale, but also find a niche for yourself in the sales market.

Who needs worms?

Places where worms are bred for further sale are called worm farms. Before equipping such a farm, it is necessary to check whether these products will be needed in a particular region. In addition to the live worms themselves, you can produce vermicompost and worm tea for fertilization.

The last two options are in great demand by summer residents and those who are engaged in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables at a professional level. For example, vermicompost is able to qualitatively enrich the soil with useful substances, which will accelerate the process of fruit ripening and increase productivity.

To find buyers for yourself, you need to advertise your products. This is best done in a visual way. For example, you can use fertilizer at your dacha, and after the neighbors celebrate the result with admiration, invite them to try fertilizer from your farm. When the fame of your products spreads further, there will certainly be large customers. The main thing in such a business is the production of really high-quality fertilizers, and for this you need to know perfectly the technology of working with worms.

In addition to selling fertilizer to summer residents, breeding worms at home can be organized for their sale. The fishermen will need them. Most people prefer not to rummage in the ground in search of bait for fish, but to buy everything in the store. You can negotiate with the owner of a specialized outlet and sell the worms through the store. It is very convenient to work with these products, since the life span of the worm is quite long, and with a steady demand it will be very profitable. Even if you sell one individual for two rubles, you can get a good profit every day, since each fisherman buys an average of 30 pieces.

In pet stores, worms are also in great demand. They feed many birds and reptiles. As a result, it is possible to establish wholesale trade with pet shops and fish farms.

Breeding worms at home can bring another type of profit - from the sale of a fertilizer called worm tea. Experienced summer residents and farmers know that when using this product, you can achieve a twofold increase in yield. Especially often, worm tea is taken to fertilize the soil for strawberries. This type of fertilizer is actually a waste product of worms, which is collected in separate containers and used as top dressing. The tea is even suitable for indoor plants.

Technology for working with worms

Before breeding worms, first you need to prepare a place suitable for their habitat, and then purchase fry and launch them into a new home. Over time, adults will begin to process compost and dispense waste products, that is, tea. It must be collected in a timely manner. From time to time it will be necessary to add a new layer of food for the worms.

A person who plans to profit from a business related to worms must understand that he needs to create the most favorable conditions for reproduction and normal nutrition of individuals. A lot depends on the right place. It should be very quiet and free of significant vibrations. For example, it is better not to put a house for worms near the road.

The soil in which the worms will live should be divided into three parts. In the upper zone there is a place for food, that is, a kind of dining room. Here it is necessary to periodically add nutritious soil and various waste that worms love. The middle zone will be the main habitat for worms, where they spend the most time. There are no special requirements for this layer. But the lowest zone is the highest value, that is, a fertilizer consisting of the waste products of worms.

In the room where the houses are located, the temperature regime must be observed. It is best if it is in the range of 15 to 25 degrees. However, there are some species that thrive even at temperatures as high as 8 degrees above zero.

The worm business can be very profitable. They multiply quickly, so the farm will grow by leaps and bounds. This point must be taken into account when choosing a room in which the worms will be grown. The owner should have enough new worm transplant houses.

Especially carefully you need to choose a room for a worm farm. Any place with normal air temperature will do. This can be a garage, an attic or a shed. The main thing is to remember that the worms will be there both in winter and in summer, so the air temperature in the room should not fall below 4 degrees and rise above 36, otherwise the worms will simply die.

Types of worms

Various options are suitable for breeding at home, and you can start with the simplest, namely earthworms.

They will be well adapted to the local habitat and temperature, so they quickly adapt in the house and begin to actively reproduce. The only drawback of such individuals is their short lifespan.

Breeding California worms as a business is also very popular today. The worm should be mobile and have a reddish body. These features should be considered when purchasing worms for breeding. Up to three families can live on one cubic meter of soil. In this case, it is very important to observe the temperature regime. California worms cannot stand cold. At normal temperatures, they will multiply quickly and produce good fertilizer.

Prospector worms are considered competitors of the Californian species. They tolerate cold better and are excellent producers of vermicompost and worm tea. Experts recommend that businessmen who are going to make money on worms take industrial options, that is, Californian individuals or miners.

What will you have to spend on?

It is very simple to equip a home vermi farm. It will be especially easy for those who live in a private house and have outbuildings that can be heated.

To organize a farm for breeding worms, you need to stock up on scales, a sieve for sifting the soil, a wheelbarrow, a bucket, a shovel, a pitchfork, instruments for measuring the acidity and temperature of the earth, a room thermometer and shelving. The latter can be made independently from ordinary boards.

Numerous fishing enthusiasts are well aware of such an indispensable attribute of their hobby as red Californian worms, but even the most avid of them do not always know what exactly is called what they use as bait. Moreover, they do not suspect that they can be used not only in this capacity, but also in at least several others.

Types of earthworms

To begin with, worms are the most abundant invertebrate species on the entire planet, and their habitat does not include except perhaps Antarctica. In fact, there are many types and subspecies of them. Biologists distinguish three main categories based on the behavior of worms in their natural environment. These are Anecic, Endogeic and Epigeic.

The first species "prefers" to exist on the surface of the ground, and these worms dig holes in depth, usually vertically down. The main food for this species is organic matter, which they process into humus. This category is characterized by an instant extinction of activity and the ability to reproduce when moving from a familiar habitat to any other, including an artificial one, which, for example, is necessary when breeding them. This variety plays a critical role in soil formation, and its practical use is limited to natural soil formation without human intervention. Plus anglers use it as bait.

The second type "prefers" more mineralized soil, which has much less organic matter. Worms of this category dig horizontal holes, do not like the surface and need constant soil processing. Thus, they saturate the earth with various nutrients, enriching it for further use by vegetation, and also increase the oxygen content in it. The use of this species of earthworms is also largely uncontrolled and mostly natural.

The third type is the one that will be discussed in the article, since it is the Californian worms, as they are also called, that can easily tolerate artificial living conditions, and their use has specific economic benefits. This variety prefers the topsoil for life, and, to be more precise, all kinds of organic matter, which it is so rich in. These are leaves, the remains of trees, bark, and so on. Californian worms do not dig deep and branched systems of passages.

The popularity of this species from an economic point of view is due to the possibility of breeding it in artificial habitats. The main factor is only the availability of a sufficient amount of organic material, which is quite easy to implement, as well as the absence of the need to use a deep layer of soil. Breeding California worms comes with a number of important technical points to consider.

Worm business

To understand the basics of worm breeding, it is necessary to give several definitions that are used by professionals in this field of activity.

Compost is a fertilizer obtained from organic waste as a result of their decomposition with the direct participation of microorganisms. The most common sources for its production are peat, manure, bird droppings, foliage and a variety of garden waste.

Vermicompost, or vermicompost, is a product of compost processing by earthworms, bacteria and some other organisms. In particular, Californian worms can be used as a result of certain breeding work to improve the overall quality of the fertilizer produced from the production activity.

Vermicompost production is the main driving force behind the worm breeding business, as this product is in demand. Moreover, not only within the domestic segment of agricultural activity, but even abroad, which should also be considered when preparing plans for the development of one's own business in this area. And although such a business may include the spread of worms and their cocoons as a completely self-sufficient part of it, vermicompost is the most profitable investment.

Using vermicompost

The most common application of this fertilizer is associated with the cultivation of various vegetable crops. This applies not only to greenhouse forms such as tomatoes or cucumbers, but also to potatoes. The yield increase achieved with the use of vermicompost reaches 40%. Vermicompost is also extremely effective in growing strawberries, wild strawberries and other types of berries cultivated in various regions. At the same time, they are characterized by an increase in yield up to 60%. It is obvious that the use of this fertilizer is in good demand, which means that it can be easily sold and earned on it.

We shouldn't forget about the rich importers of vermicompost. For example, the countries of the Arab world, in particular the UAE, widely use vermicompost for growing various crops, collecting up to three crops per season. That being said, they pay well for quality vermicompost. So, the cost of one ton of products fluctuates in the range of 2 thousand dollars. In Europe, biohumus is bought for 600 euros, which also looks very attractive. In Russia, these products are not so valuable, for example, a 40-liter package costs about 400 rubles. That is, with a competent approach to advertising and sales, you can still earn by selling biohumus. However, to get into this market, you will have to work hard and not only earn a good name, but also create a truly effective production structure.

Main economy

Since the article deals with the cultivation of the California worm, you should know the main advantages of its use from an economic point of view. And although there is an opinion among the people about the incredible characteristics of this species, this should not be done. Advertising in this area is really pumping the numbers to incredible proportions. Californian red worms are reported to live up to 15-16 years, which is a common misconception. In fact, the lifespan of individuals does not differ much from that of their domestic relatives, making up a period of 5-6 years.

California worms allegedly exist in temperatures ranging from 2 to 40 degrees. This is also not true, their activity practically disappears already at 35 degrees, not to mention that at 4 degrees they begin to die. In general, all advertising gimmicks are fairly obvious. Despite all this, the Californian worm still has some advantages over its domestic counterparts, so it is profitable to buy it just to create your own business.

Real pluses

Among the widely advertised advantages that really take place, one can mention the activity even in the winter season, which cannot be said about the rain species, as well as the compactness of the populations that the Californian worms prefer to live with (a photo of them, by the way, can be seen at the beginning of the review).
In addition, it is necessary to note the higher level of reproduction of this species in comparison with the usual one. And although there is also an advertising exaggeration here, the numbers are named almost tenfold, in fact, this figure is somewhere in one and a half to two times higher. So the California worms still have obvious advantages, which determines the choice of many zealous owners.

Breeding

The breeding process can be considered in two main forms: in industrial, when it is necessary to work with a large number of individuals, and at home, when an ordinary garden plot can also become a source of good income.

Breeding California worms involves organizing activities correctly and following certain guidelines. Consider the main points of creating your own business, first within a garden plot, and then in an industrial setting.

Gardening

The California worm is purchased in the form of either adults, or fry, or in cocoons, depending on the season, financial possibilities, etc. On the garden plot, it is necessary to prepare a square pit meter by meter and a depth of about 70 cm. So that the worms do not go to master the expanses of the garden partnership, you should tamp its lower surface and cover the walls with boards. The nutrient medium, or, as it is also called, the substrate with worms, is thrown into the pit and carefully leveled with a pitchfork. Then a layer of simple substrate is added. To obtain vermicompost, it is necessary to carry out the so-called extraction of worms.

Naturally, before obtaining vermicompost of normal quality, several weeks must pass for the worms to process the nutrient medium. The hood is the addition of a layer of substrate on top, its thorough loosening, after which the worms crawl into this upper layer. Next, you need to carefully remove this layer, saturated with them, and transfer it to a new pit to continue the cycle of creating vermicompost. The average drawing time is about three to four weeks.

The resulting layer of recycled compost is sieved, dried, after which it can be sold at a price that an enterprising businessman will be able to negotiate with the fertilizer customer. Well, the worms continue their labor activity in the next pit, performing the cycle of developing new products. This is basically how California worms are used at home.

Another important point is the manufacture of the substrate. The waste at hand is shredded. This can be paper, straw, haulm or any other organic filler. The resulting mass is located near the pit and watered with liquid manure. The humidity to be created is about 80%. Checking whether this mass is sufficiently moist is very simple. If the nearby worms do not crawl into it, you must continue to water. The substrate must be loosened every two weeks.

From the point of view of small investments in business, it is the Californian worm that is convenient. Breeding at home does not require serious investments, you just need a sufficient amount of patience and interest in this matter, because, obviously, you have to deal with creatures swarming in the ground and in the presence of not very pleasant smells. In any case, this is a job for true enthusiasts.

Industrial volumes

If we are talking about a professional approach to how to breed a California worm, then there are certain nuances. In the previous section, we talked about the number of individuals in 10-20 thousand pieces. When it comes to the volume of a million worms, the approach is somewhat different.

This requires from 10 to 15 sq. meters of area indoors. The temperature that must be maintained is in the range from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. Natural ventilation and artificial lighting will be required, plus water supply, preferably non-domestic, since chlorinated water can destroy the entire population. Well or river water is quite suitable.

Careful attention should be paid to protecting the premises from rodents, which can easily destroy a significant part of the colony. That is, you need a hard floor covering, as well as walls. The height of the mother liquor should be from two to two and a half meters. Breeding California worms as a business is an activity that requires the same careful preparation as any high-tech field.

You will also need to purchase racks on which trays with colonies of worms will be located. It is best to use perforated plastic boxes to provide the required oxygen level and easy drainage of excess fluid. In each tray, a population density of up to 20 thousand individuals should be planned.

To make a substrate in a closed room, it is necessary to spread manure or planned organic waste with a layer of 20 cm and cover with foil. The temperature should be around 55 degrees Celsius. After a day, the resulting mass must be brought to 30 degrees and moistened to 80%. The resulting substrate is laid out in boxes with a layer of 5 cm. At the same time, remember about good ventilation in order to remove the formed gases from the room.

The next stage is the habituation of worms to a new climate for them, and then to a substrate. New formula boxes are placed on top of the worm trays. The next step is simply maintaining the optimum moisture level in the trays. When the worms process the substrate, the resulting vermicompost is separated, dried, sieved and sold to customers.

Thus, the red Californian worm, the breeding of which can be put on stream, can bring a decent income to the enterprising villager.

Some technical points

The issues discussed in the article quite generally reveal an area that has decent technology, not adhering to which would mean easily ruining painstaking work for many weeks. The main driving force behind the business is California worms. How to breed them is a whole layer of technology that a beginner should know, adjusting environmental conditions to the unpretentious needs of their "workers". However, there are a couple more important questions. For example, what are California worm cocoons and where can I get them?

In fact, worms lay eggs immediately after mating. Of course, this is very different from the system used, for example, by birds, but the principle is similar. The worms copulate, after which they form a so-called cocoon in the body, which is separated and then, when opened, can contain from one to five small individuals.

There are specialized agricultural firms that supply this biomass. By the way, within the framework of your own business on worms, you can create an offshoot of the activity of breeding cocoons. For this, there is a separate technology that an entrepreneur can also take note of and master.

The convenience of using cocoons in the worm business is due to obvious conditions. The most important thing is transportation, and from a breeding point of view, also the value of this product. Therefore, this feature of the reproduction of worms should also be taken into account when designing your own business related to their breeding.

Conclusion

As mentioned, there is some advertising euphoria associated with the incredible qualities that Californian worms allegedly possess. The public's responses vary widely: from laudatory to derogatory. However, obviously, there are certain advantages of this type of worms over the same earthworms, especially in terms of creating your own business for breeding them. Good reproducibility, unpretentiousness, improving the quality of fertilizers, in the creation of which they take the most important part, is not a complete list of advantages.

In addition, there are at least several aspects of the use of California worms. Firstly, this is actually the creation of vermicompost as the most valuable and demanded product in the modern agricultural market. Moreover, the demand for it has continued to grow steadily over the past few years. With the increase in production capacity, new opportunities for implementation will appear. So, already now the Arab Emirates are purchasing vermicompost for fabulous money. Of course, this will have to work hard, but if an entrepreneur has a desire to produce in this area, then entering the international market is quite real.

Secondly, such a business will obviously increase the number of worms on a makeshift farm, if, again, the owner will strictly follow the technology. This means that it is possible to sell the "manufacturer" itself, without reducing their capacities, but, on the contrary, increasing the number and improving the conditions of their life.

Thirdly, you can deal with the supply of so-called cocoons, that is, the offspring of the population. And this is another effective way to make money in the field of worm breeding.

In general, this activity requires not only careful planning, but also a certain amount of enthusiasm and desire to tinker with manure and other, to put it mildly, not the most fragrant substances. So business is unusual and for a certain circle of people it can become a source of good stable income and a way of self-expression in attempts to make this world a little better. In addition, it does not require much investment. Of course, the size of the initial investment depends on the size of the entrepreneur, but, as a rule, at first, a thousand dollars will be more than enough to start a business.