How to Keep Worms Alive for Bait
- 1). Moisten newspaper shreds. The key to keeping worms alive is to create a hospitable environment. The base of this environment should be moistened newspaper shreds. Not only does the newspaper retain its moisture longer than soil, the worms can ingest the cellulose contained in the paper, keeping them healthy. The newspaper is an organic material that will break down over time, releasing heat. This helps regulate the temperature of the worm's environment.
- 2). Add soil. Worms also need the minerals found in soil. Add loosely packed garden soil, not clay or potting soil.
- 3). Moisten the substrate regularly. The worms need to live in a moist---yet not over-wet---environment as the moisture aids the worms in respiration. Too much water will drown the worms.
- 4). Feed the worms. Worms can feed on many different things. Bread, vegetables and other starches are a favorite fare for many worms. Try to keep acidic foods such as citrus fruits to a minimum, and don't use meat or dairy. Most worms will eat approximately one-half their body weight each day.
- 5). Provide adequate ventilation. Worms breathe in oxygen and require fresh oxygen in order to survive. Make sure that the worms are kept in such a fashion that the volume of air in the enclosure is replaced at least once a day.
- 6). Store worms in a dry, cool location, keeping them out of direct sunlight. Many people choose to keep their worms in the refrigerator. This is fine as long as the air is routinely rotated in the enclosure at least once a day.
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