Comparing Earthworms and Red Wigglers

When I share with people that I have worms (vermiculture) in my storage bin at the Condo - I often get excited questioning such as:
- What will I do with them? Won't they multiply?
- Why did I decide to do worms?
- When will I take some to the garden?

My short answers are the worms in the storage bin are not suited for hot or cold temps, thus they will likely not go to the garden, they are multiplying (I now see little wigglers), and I am doing worms to manage food waste, and to get the castings/castings for the garden.

The more expansive explanation of worms and differences in worms is:


"Earthworm" is a generic term that refers to any annelid (segmented worm) that burrows into soil and is a member of the class Oligochaeta. The ‘Red Wiggler’ is a type of earthworm that is used in compost bins or as bait for fish. Both produce organic fertilizers. If you want to start a worm composting system in your home, it would be more advisable for you to use red wiggler worms instead of burrowing earthworms.


Worms in the soil
Burrowing earthworms eliminate the dead organic material found on the surface of the soil and enrich the topsoil in the process. Worms take the highly improved residue from the top and move it underground. Here, at the roots of plants, both the health of the soil and plant health are improved, and in the process, earthworms loosen heavy soils (improving aeration), increase water retention and enhance the soil's fertility.

Red wigglers on the other hand are more aggressive when compared to earthworms. A difference is red wigglers remain near the surface of the soil while the earthworms reside at the deeper levels of the soil.

Red wigglers are often found in decomposing animal manure, rotting leaf moulds and other organic materials found on top of the soil. Red wiggler worms are considered more aggressive than burrowing earthworms because they accelerate the natural composting process by consuming large chunks of organic matter and spreading their wastes (or red wriggler castings) as organic fertilizers. Castings from red wigglers are especially good for plants as they provide nutrients, minerals, plant hormones and enzymes for the plants to absorb. Castings also improve microbial activity in the soil for additional plant benefits.