other names red worm/tiger worms, they are a species of earth worm but rarely found in the garden, they can live were garden worms could not survive as to were they come from, I realy do not know ,but mine come from the local fishing tackel shop because they are sold as bate, much cheaper than specalist firms'

Found this info for you Muddywalters:
'Like other earthworms, Eisenia fetida are hermaphroditic. Rather than laying eggs directly, they secrete cocoons which contain several eggs. These cocoons are lemon-shaped and begin as pale yellow when first laid, and become more brownish as they mature. The cocoons are clearly visible to the naked eye.

They are closely related to Eisenia andrei, also referred to as E. fetida andrei. The only simple way of distinguishing them is that E. fetida is lighter in colour. Molecular analyses have confirmed their identity as separate species and breeding experiments have shown that they do not produce hybrids.

They are widely sold by weight for use in vermiculture owing to their remarkable ability to process organic matter into fertile compost. They are also sold as bait.

When roughly handled, they exude a pungent liquid, thus the specific name fetida meaning fetid. This is presumably a defense.'
Is it safe to come near you Cliffo?

So are these the ones we get in the horse manure? It sounds as though they are VERY useful in the compost bin! Hooray!!

Thanks for that info, Denise. :-)

Do you know any fishermen Spritz?
'Eisenia fetida, known under various common names, including redworms, brandling worms, tiger worms and red wiggler worms, are a species of earthworm adapted to decaying organic material. They thrive in rotting vegetation, compost, and manure; they are epigeal. They are rarely found in soil, instead like Lumbricus rubellus they prefer conditions where other worms cannot survive'
But if we added them would they harm our indiginous worms and what woulod we be left with?

No - although there must be some around as we are so close to the coast.

As there are soooo many in the manure, I don't think I need to find another source, anyway. They don't appear to transfer from the compost into the soil - so they must die there, I suppose?

Thats what I thought too Spritz, I have lots of worms put them in the compost.

drc you would not want to kiss me when I am worming the magots up to go on the hook, lol

YUK, Cliffo! I couldn't do that to the maggots, anyway!

or me ' just wanted to get that reaction' but come to think of it may be the thort of kissing me with or without the maggots could have got that reaction, lol

Maggots have used them in hospital can do a terrific job

did you worm them up first by placeing them on your toung like fisher men do. lol

by the way SH they are used by fresh water fishermen, lug and rag or blow worms for the sea . I am a sea angler who also fishes for trout '

they are one of the native worm species so they wont upset the balance. My compost bins are full of them. they are great. they will 'migrate' through the soil to areas of rich organic material. where they go on to help compost our 'stuff' and breed. they do need to be in pairs though. each laying eggs etc. great stuff. they prefer the warmer conditions of decaying matter and as there is aways something rotting somewhere......

No Cliffo but we treated them with great respect as we did the leeches. Trouble is they migrate and we had to watch them carefully.

Very informative - thank you all very much. It has puzzled me for years.

Since fishing red worms has been mentioned.....If there are any fly fishers out there who tie their own flies, I have a great red worm recipe you can tie. I have even caught carp on a fly rod with this fly. Just send me a PM since this is not the venue for such matters.