There is no reason to discard any worms left over from your last fishing trip. They are simple to care for and they will reproduce quickly if left in their containers. If you have a few to store, you can keep them in the refrigerator. If, on the other hand, you want to save money on bait in the long run, store the worms in a special box outdoors and let them reproduce.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Store the Worms in the Refrigerator
Step 1. Decide if this is the right method
This technique works best for small amounts of worms that will be used within a month. For example, if you bought a small pack of lures for a fishing trip and haven't used all of them, you can keep them in the fridge until the next trip.
If you have a very large box with more than a thousand worms, you will need to resort to vermiculture and store them in a suitable container
Step 2. Place the worms in an opaque plastic or styrofoam container
If you use a clear plastic container, the light will pass through the earth and confuse the worms. Make sure you add any dirt or shreds of newspaper that was there when you got your bait.
If the worms were purchased in a special container you will not have to move them
Step 3. Feed them at least once a week
Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of still damp coffee grounds into their container. Try to distribute them evenly. You can also use powdered worm food by sprinkling a few teaspoons on the top layer of worms.
- You can purchase powdered worm food at any fishing supply store.
- Wait until they have eaten everything before feeding them again. If you put in too much food, they will easily die.
Step 4. Keep them in the fridge
Close the container to retain moisture and put the worms in the fridge. Check them every so often to make sure they are well fed and their habitat is humid. If necessary, sprinkle a few drops of water into the container to hydrate it.
Method 2 of 3: Vermiculture
Step 1. Prepare a spacious plastic tub
Choose one large enough to hold all your worms. You must calculate at least 30 cm2 every thousand worms. Make holes in the sides and bottom of the container for the water to drain well.
- Purchase sturdy plastic tubs from a hardware store, such as those for mixing concrete, or a large plastic container from a sports supply store.
- You may want to consider building a wooden bait box yourself.
Step 2. Fill the container with peat
You can buy peat specifically for vermiculture or use peat for gardening. The peat must be moist, but not completely wet: if it is too wet, the worms will suffocate. To test for moisture, take a handful and squeeze it out. If it has the right percentage of humidity it will release only a few drops of water.
- If it is too wet, wait for the peat to dry a bit before adding the worms.
- If the peat is too dry, sprinkle some water and turn it over with your hands.
Step 3. Put the worms in the container
The worms will find their place in the peat on their own. This process could take about an hour. If several hours pass and the worms are still on the surface, it means that the peat may be too wet or that you have put too many worms in the box.
Step 4. Store the container in a cool, shady place
If possible, bury it outdoors and in the shade, leaving about 4-5 cm uncovered. If you can't store worms outdoors, keep them under the kitchen sink, in the basement, or in a closet.
Method 3 of 3: Caring for Worms
Step 1. Feed them at least once a week
You can buy powdered worm food at a fishing shop or make it yourself by chopping up fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and egg shells. To feed the worms, sprinkle some food on the top layer of the container. Wait until they have eaten everything before feeding them again.
- Do not mix food with peat. It could be harmful to worms.
- Avoid feeding the worms with citrus fruits, spicy foods, meat and animal derivatives, bread and oil.
Step 2. Collect worms at least once a month
To do this, approach the container and gently pull out a handful. Put them in a box with a lid, taking care to leave most of the peat in the container. You can use them right away for fishing or refrigerate them for a week.
- Discard any worms left over from your fishing trip by releasing them in a shaded area of your garden.
- Collect worms before feeding to avoid mixing food with peat.
Step 3. Change the peat every 3-6 months
If you don't, the worms will get sick and die. Remove all worms from the container and transfer them to a bucket. Then, collect all the old peat and replace it with the new, wet one. Once finished, put the worms back into the vermiculture.
- Wait for the worms to settle in the new peat before feeding them.
- Old peat can be used as a fertilizer for the garden.
