How do red wiggler worms eat?

Red worms (often Eisenia fetida, also known as red wigglers) eat by consuming organic matter, such as decomposing food scraps, leaves, and other decaying plant material. Here’s how the process works:

1. Ingestion

• Red worms don’t have teeth. Instead, they use their muscular mouths to pull food in.

• The food they consume must be moist and soft—they can't chew, so they rely on microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) to pre-digest or break down material first.

2. Grinding in the Gizzard

• After swallowing food, it goes to the crop for storage, then to the gizzard.

• In the gizzard, the worm uses small bits of grit or sand (which it ingests from the soil) to grind up the food mechanically.

3. Digestion and Absorption

• The ground-up food passes to the intestine, where nutrients are absorbed into the worm’s body.

4. Casting (Pooping)

• The undigested material is excreted as worm castings, a rich, fertile compost that’s excellent for soil health.

Worms are most efficient when their environment is moist, warm, and full of decaying organic matter.

Would you like tips on feeding red worms in a compost bin?