The problem with Uncle Jim's is right on their landing page: "I specialize in Red Wigglers - worm composting. I’ve been raising Red Wiggler Worms and Mealworms for over 40 years. I’ve raised African Night Crawlers, Canadian Night Crawlers and Gray Night Crawlers. However, I cannot find a tougher, quicker breeding and easier composting worm to raise than the Red Wigglers in a worm bin!" But, on the product page it lists "Red Composting Mix" This is where the misleading advertising comes into play. Buried in the description of their Red Composting Mix is one sentence: "Your Worm order my contain several different compost worm species.(Eisenia fetida, eisenia hortensis,Perionyx excavatus)." These are the Red Wiggler, European Earthworm, and Indian Blue, which are NOT explained or explicit. Giving their scientific names without their common names seems a bit shady, especially when the general population does not shop based on scientific taxonomy. I will not buy or recommend Jim's due to this misleading or obscuring business practice. Jim's advertises they do belong to the BBB (Better Business Bureau) which means that customers can complain to the BBB about this misleading practice, which will create a record of it. Enough ticks on their record and Uncle Jim's will be forced to fix the problem or possibly be removed from the BBB.

@francesstager997

Жыл бұрын

I have had the same experience!

@aml2196

18 күн бұрын

Thanks, also got the mix after calling, and got an email by Emma that the pictures are just for "marketing". They sent me all just hatched out worms. Big time fraud.

OMG I’ve got Indian blues all this time thinking they’re Reds🤔 Great video Steve!

Thanks for this info. I now realize I bought Indian blues instead of the 3000 red wigglers I was supposed to get as advertised. Spend several months thinking they were reds. The population is probably quadrupled and I just spent hours searching for any red wigglers among them to separate them out, worm by worm. An exhausting process.

@UrbanWormCompany

Жыл бұрын

Yeah Ann, it's probably not worth trying to sort them manually.

Man, you just explained what I saw in about three of my bins today while a thunderstorm went over my home. Makes perfect sense.

Well SOB. I think I do have half and half. I actually noticed how some of them looked different. I saw the accordion thing you mentioned and noticed it looked different than the others. Shady.

@UrbanWormCompany

3 жыл бұрын

If you don’t have a pressing need for purity, I wouldnt sweat it. They’re awesome composters!

Buy from Urban worm farm!!! Uncle Jim's is a rip off & liars- they advertise they specialize in red wigglers but sell you only indian blues that constantly want to leave their bin... Urban Worm farm all the way!! Love your honesty and helpful info!!

Thank you for this CONFIRMING and VALIDATING info! I HAD been getting my vermicomposting worms from Uncle Jim-- always had an issue with mass exodus with a change in the weather. I am much happier with my REAL Red Wigglers!!

Also, in warm environments Indian Blues breed slightly faster than Red Wrigglers. IB's also prefer carbon a bit more then RWs do, I noticed. Also, I bought a composting worm mix because the weather in my area varies widely in temperature and having the mix of IB, RW, and European Nightcrawlers mean when one variety slows down due to weather being cold or warm the other varieties preform better at eating and reproduction.

When the worms sense a thunderstorm coming maybe the mass jail break is there natural nature to seek high ground to escape the rising water from the storm,

Excellent video Steve! Crystal clear and nice editing. Thanks for sharing. I love the new logo too by the way! Dale

@UrbanWormCompany

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for noticing Dale! :) I appreciate the kind words.

best description for distinguishing between the two that I've coma across so far

My first worms, 12 years ago were placed in a basement and the fluorescent lights were left on overnight. All worms rushed for the doors and died on the concrete floor.. They like the dark, aeration around the sides and bottom of the bin and as little disturbance of their soil as possible. Steve is very honest and upfront about the dilemma of which worms you get. Unfortunately, it becomes clear the redworms have the advantage and are the best value for vermicomposting....IMHO.

What a beautiful explanation! Thanks a lot, you’ve cleared a lot of my doubts!

@UrbanWormCompany

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful, MV!

I ordered reds and only received blues. It was a huge learning curve that I was not prepared for. I live in a sub tropic climate. 🤦🏽‍♀️

@UrbanWormCompany

3 жыл бұрын

They're awesome vermicomposters though so I hope it works out for you!

@ambersamusements5257

3 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanWormCompany I’ve had them almost three years now. First 6 months was rainy season. Lol

Well, I haven't seen a T-storm in this part of California in a long time so the Blues wouldn't have the drop in barometric pressure ahead of a T-storm here to trigger the flight response. You are right if you purchased red wrigglers then by golly that is what you should have received.

I've had 400 pounds of worms in Front Royal VA that survived temps from 17 degrees to 98 degrees as redworms can self adjust their environment up to 20 degrees warmer or colder.

Who knew I needed to know this information. Well done sir!

@UrbanWormCompany

2 жыл бұрын

Ha! You got it!

I purchased a worm "mix", not because I 'wanted' different species, but they were going to arrive very quickly. The first worms I purchased took 5 days to arrive, and I was never able to find more than 6 worms at a time when I dug through my bin. So I went with the fast shipping and, honestly, when I peel back all the cardboard layers covering up the food scraps and look at the dirt & bedding mixture, I only ever seen the Indian (Malaysian) Blue worms. In fact, one of these days I have to go digging in there again to see how the red wigglers are faring. I assume I still have some ... but for some reason I don't see them eating with the Blues.

@UrbanWormCompany

Жыл бұрын

I'm sorry about this! But if you have red wigglers, there's no reason you wouldn't see them eating side by side with the blues

this is first week i got my red wiggler.. then last day i saw them died on the floor... im sad for that indian blues

thanks for sharing this is the 1st time that I know Indian worm

@UrbanWormCompany

2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure 😊

Thank you.

Thanks for the good information. I think I have a mix with less red wigglers. I will pull a handful and inspect them. Thanks

@UrbanWormCompany

2 жыл бұрын

Very possible! The blues are great composters though. If you don't care about species purity (most don't), then press on and don't worry about it!

Now I gotta go check. Thought I had red wigglers, now not so sure. Good stuff. Thanks.

@UrbanWormCompany

2 жыл бұрын

You bet Carl!

@carlmarburger7513

2 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanWormCompany they're red wigglers.

excellent video

@UrbanWormCompany

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Techie!

Juno Very Helpful Steve marra 👏👏👏♥️♥️

@UrbanWormCompany

11 ай бұрын

So glad!

Well, hell. That explains why I get the mass exodus! In a few weeks when things warm up, I WILL be ordering from you!! My friend with chickens will love the Indian blues!!

@UrbanWormCompany

3 жыл бұрын

They are still excellent composters if you can keep them happy though!

@nysigal

2 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanWormCompany We just got part of of Hurr Henri and only a few seemed a little antsy. Guess I have reds!

Thank you! This actually happened with the latest order of red wigglers I received! Never had them leave the bin before this but my laundry room floor had worms alllllll over it over the course of a few days! 😳 this explains it! The true red wigglers stayed put LOL

@UrbanWormCompany

3 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help Krusin! :)

@KrusinTheSierra

3 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanWormCompany I heard you mention that you don’t think putting composting worms in the garden is a good idea. Can you elaborate on your thoughts? I looked for a previous video on it but couldn’t find one! Thanks in advance!

Thanks', that was a great lesson. what about Eisenia Fetida vs Andrei ? they are much more confusing and difficult to distinguish, at least in my case :)

Do you have any information on how to deal with fruit flies? Or even a link to a previous video or recommendations are also welcome. Thanks.

@UrbanWormCompany

3 жыл бұрын

Check this out Yahchanan! :) urbanwormcompany.com/how-to-prevent-and-eliminate-fruit-flies-worm-bin/

@ComorbidityCity7

2 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanWormCompany Thanks!

So uncle Jim is probably selling mixes then huh? I think thats where alot of ppl get there worms no? I mean I did and so do other youtubers.. any thoughts on uncle Jim? And does ur website sell worms too or just bags??

@lauren4622

Жыл бұрын

Uncle Jim sells mixes! But is open about it which is great. Also sells ENC but if you’re looking for just red wrigglers then Meme’s is the place to go!

Ok so I have a question. When we start off cant we just seperate out our red from blue? If they cant breed with each other and say I get a pound of "red wiggler worms" when they come in can I just seperate the blue adults from the red adults in different bins and the young and any cocoons that come with in a bin to grow out. Seperating them as they become adults? If I do it at the go wouldnt that be the easiest way to do it? 1lbs isnt too many worms to go through.

What are the risks of digging them up in your backyard besides them maybe not being reds? Ive been collecting worms from my backyard and im sure i have some blues in there. Im not too worried if i have both reds and blues. Just hoping there isnt any other negatives from digging up your own worms.

Ahh now I know why I am losing worms.... thanks for sharing.. the info I was looking for..any advise how to keep the blues inside ?

@UrbanWormCompany

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jose, I would make sure that your bin is hospitable, smells good, and has no hot spots from rotting material.

@josealeman332

2 жыл бұрын

@@UrbanWormCompany thanks , for some reason they are good now or all the blues moved to the garden compost pile.. reds are happy and I have to make another container to sp[lit them, the one I have was getting small . :)

I think I might have more RWs than I thought.

I also have confusion regarding my worms I am unable to distinguish between them so is there any way you can help me to distinguish them

Are red wigglers ever iridescent? I purchased what the supplier said were pure red wigglers, but I have my suspicions. I haven't had any worms actually escape my worm tower, but occasionally there are a ton in the lid and up the sides. But that activity isn't contained to just during thunderstorms. I don't see any raised clitellum, but to be fair, I don't see many clitellum at all. Which is strange, because I've had them for over 4 months. I know Indian blues are iridescent in the right light. And I've seen that iridescence at times. Are red wigglers ever iridescent?

@UrbanWormCompany

9 ай бұрын

They can be irridescent in some light, yes

Any tips for keeping the blues in the bin?

Thanks for a quality video. Good information and easily understood. Will watch more of them. I am actually looking for a worm I found in my bin after adding dead leaves to the bin. Are there any type of worm that would be a predator to my baby or even adult red wigglers? Answers from anyone would be helpful. Jesus bless.

@UrbanWormCompany

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Sandra! No worm (other than a hammerhead looking planarian) will be a predator for your worms.

I went in fully knowing I was getting a “mix” and prepped for it. Over all the air holes on my storage tote I hot-glued porch screen mesh over it. Unless they develop some biceps they’re not going anywhere 😂😂 My little red wrigglers are always happy near the bottom while their big cousins explore every inch of the tote. It’s sad that businesses don’t always tell people what they’re getting, there no reason to not be honest

Is it necessary to mix anc with rw or enc? I already mix rw and enc, but i was thinking of not mixing anc. Whats your take

@UrbanWormCompany

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Manuel! I never think it's *necessary* to mix species. I don't think it hurts but I also don't think it helps as much as people think.

Im quite happy with how my worms are doing, since changing over to a dry chow mix Im seeing some very lively worms and many many cocoons in recent harvests. So do I have a mix of worms dont know , but worms have created more castings for me at this stage than previous years.

@UrbanWormCompany

Жыл бұрын

That's great news Morris!

can i put 1 red wriggler and 1 indian blue in a small container with the diameter of 4 and above or below? will they be happy?

@UrbanWormCompany

2 жыл бұрын

I'm not 100% sure I understand the question. There is no problem mixing species, but an single red wiggler will not breed with a single Indian blue.

Great video Steve, I'm having a major infestation of Fungus Gnats, would you suggest or recommend a 1 for 8 concection of Hydrogen Peroxide/water sprayed one a week, could this my solution, would it harm the worms? Thanks Phil

@UrbanWormCompany

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Phil, Fingus gnats suck, but you can try neem oil. You might consider spraying a piece of newsprint with neem oil and laying it on top of your vermicompost to get rid of them!

Yep I definitely have Indian blue worms and not red wigglers

I'd heard that the clittellum isn't a good indicator, that a swollen/prominent clitellum is a sign of sexual maturity. True or not?

@UrbanWormCompany

Жыл бұрын

think a visible clitellum is the sign of sexual maturity. An adult Blue for instance will always have a flush clitellum. It will never be prominent or described as swollen.

I was going to go out and grab a few worms but its so obvious..... I bought reds, but got blues. . . . and boy is it annoying every time it rains.... here.... in FLORIDA.

Welp... I just found out I have Indian Blues.

@UrbanWormCompany

Жыл бұрын

They are still excellent composters Miss Tulip!

That’s what happens when you buy a “mix” grime uncle Jim

Capitalize “Perionyx”

@UrbanWormCompany

2 жыл бұрын

I'll get around to it once I learn how to edit KZread videos! :)

Thank you very much. Now I see why my so-called reds are climbing up the wall. I purchased 2 orders on Amazon. DOA on both orders. 3rd order was free and now I see these are blues they sent me. Quality control is awful. Will never order from this so-called Jim again!

@UrbanWormCompany

4 ай бұрын

Sorry to hear this!

How do I lower the earthworm population in my yard if we have way to many worm's crawling around and even trying to get inside?

@UrbanWormCompany

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jackie, This is a new one to me. Worms are excellent self-regulators and will stop reproducing if conditions aren't right for them. I don't know what to suggest that would repel worms that wouldn't be harmful for the rest of the ecosystem. Maybe chickens? Kidding, but not kidding.

This is some scandalous stuff.

@UrbanWormCompany

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Travis! I'm not sure it rises to the level of scandalous because lots of sellers aren't often aware. How are things going in the Great White North? (I assume this is the Travis Ahearn from Brome Compost)