How to Identify Garden Worms
- 1). Choose the worm specimen by finding it in your garden. Note physical features or behavior to identify it.
- 2). Inspect the color of the garden worm. If this is difficult to do where it lies, pick it up with your hands or very gently with a pair of pliers. Redworms are dark red to maroon in color and may have paler yellow undersides. Nightcrawlers can be brown and are slightly paler. African nightcrawlers are red with cream or white striping. Enchytraeid worms, or white worms, are white and semi-translucent.
- 3). Examine the size of the garden worm. Redworms are up to three inches long and can be plump or very thin. Nightcrawlers are up to 12 inches long, while their relatives the African nightcrawlers are usually larger. White worms are much smaller and thinner than earthworms (imagine feeding one to a goldfish).
- 4). Consider where the earthworms were found. Redworms live within the top 12 inches of soil and eat any kind of decaying organic material such as plants or fertilizer. Nightcrawlers live deep in soil and emerge mostly nocturnally. African Nightcrawlers only live in more temperate environments around the world (between 59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Finally, white worms can be found anywhere the other worms are found, but because of their size will have less upturned soil around them.
- 5). Decide whether garden worms are useful or harmful where they are. Redworms and nightcrawlers are wonderful soil aerators. If you prefer less soil upturn, though, white worms are an option. White worms can also be used to decompose garbage in kitchens, or be used as food for fish or other animals.
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