Red wiggler earthworms (Eisenia Fetida) are among the finest composters in the world as they are able to devour half their body weight a day. In addition the castings are among the finest organic fertilizers. At Nature’s Little Recyclers we raise our worms in a regulated indoor facility and we feed them quality foods (such as coffee grounds vegetables and cardboard) thus making them excellent food for fish lizards amphibians and other pets. About Nature’s Little Recyclers: Nature’s Little Recyclers is a recycling plant dedicated to providing a greener solution to clean soil. Our facility is located in Back of the Yards a neighborhood in Chicago with a high green-tech focus. We take organic waste-such as coffee grounds vegetables and cardboard-from local businesses in Chicago and feed it to our worms which are bred in sustainable conditions in our facility. As the worms eat (and essentially “recycle”) these materials they create worm castings which is rich in nutrients and free of chemicals thus making it a great fertilizer for both conventional and organic plants. Nature’s Little Recyclers is committed to providing each customer with the highest standard of customer service. If you are not completely satisfied with your order please contact us so that we may make your experience better.
Red worms are nature’s ultimate composting worm and a great pick for worm farms. Red worms go by many names. They’re often called red wigglers, tiger worms, manure worms, composting worms, and the trout worms. Whatever you call them they’re among the best composting worms available.
Both first time and experienced worm farmers choose the red worm for many reasons. These hardy composters are easy to care for, reproduce quickly, tolerate a wide range of temperatures, and of course can eat huge amounts of organic waste.
Advantages of Redworms
Red worms have many properties which make them ideal for the compost bin. Of all the worms suitable for worm farming the red worm is the most adaptable and hearty. Red wigglers can withstand a wide range of environmental conditions and changes that would kill most other breeds.
Unlike common earthworms that borrow deep into the soil red worms thrive in the first several inches of topsoil directly beneath decomposing vegetative organic matter. It really doesn’t matter what the matter is red worms love it. Decaying leaves, grasses, wood, and animal manure are all favorites of red worms.
The red worm’s voracious appetite makes it the champion of the compost bin and a virtual worm casting (a.k.a. worm poop) machines. Red worms are fairly small, generally getting no larger than 5 inches. But don’t underestimate them. It is estimated that red worms eat nearly 3 times their weight each week.
Red worms like to live in colonies, often congregating into a writhing mass around a food source. Maintaining this close contact makes them prolific breeders and an ideal breed to raise in your worm farm. A 24″ x 24″ worm bin can easily house over 1000 red worms. However for those interested in raising bait worms it’s good to remember that crowded red worms will remain fairly skinny and short. When given more room red worms will plump up into excellent fishing worms.
Another advantage of red worms is their ability with stand a wide range of temperature extremes. Typically red wigglers thrive in temperatures between 65F and 80F (18 C – 27 C). When the temperature dips red worms need to be protected from freezing weather. Even red worms kept outside can easily survive the frigid temperatures of northern North America.
Of course you need to provide them with shelter and insulation. That can be as simple as keeping them in trench filled with aged manure and covered with straw or leaves. Similarly; when temperatures spike keep your worm farm cool. If your bedding gets over 85 degrees red worms will try to escape your bins for cooler areas. So provide them with shade or if possible move them into your basement.
Red worms are prolific breeders and 9 weeks after birth red worms are mature. Baby red worms hatch from small lemon shaped cocoons. So even your youngest red worms will be breeding within about 2 ½ months and producing their own cocoons. Each cocoon holds an average of five small red worms; typically three will ultimately hatch, emerge, and begin reproducing. So if you purchase 1 pound of red worms in about four month you will have 2 pounds, and in nine months 4 pounds. However these are just basic guidelines. Many factors influence reproduction of red worms. The bedding material you select, food sources, moisture conditions, and temperature all have an effect on how quickly or slowly your red worms will reproduce.
Red worms are content to remain working for you in conditions are to their liking. Provide them food, moisture, and suitable bedding material and they will happily stay in their bins or outdoor colonies. However if their bedding gets dry or too acidic they will try to escape. If you don’t feed them they will go looking for food.
Like all worms red worms breathe oxygen through their skin. In order to breathe they require a moist, but not saturated bedding material. A moist environment also facilitates the breakdown of organic matter in their bedding material by microbial life forms. Since worms have no teeth it is this mushy mixture of decaying food and microbes that red worms feed on.
Red Worm Food
A worm farm full of red wigglers is an excellent way to compost food scraps, left overs, garden waste, and leaves. Feeding redworms is pretty easy, but there are some basic but important things to remember in order to keep you worm farm healthy. In this section we will cover what you should and should not be feeding your worms. This list is not all inclusive but it will give you some ideas. Learn more about feeding worms here.
Do Feed:
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Vegetable Waste (carrots, lettuce, beans, peas, limited amounts of potatoes, leaf vegetables)
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Fruit Waste – Non Citrus (Apples, grapes, bananas, plums, peaches, pumpkin)
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Egg shells – In moderation and best when crushed up a bit.
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Coffee Grounds (Filters too) – An excellent worm food, but again in moderation
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Cardboard – Yes, shredded cardboard doubles as food and bedding.
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Tree leaves – Yes in moderation, stick to common species, avoid exotic tree leaves
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Garden Waste – Bean stalks, pea vines, beet tops,
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Starches- Yes in moderations (Pasta, potatoes, rice, grains)
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Aged animal manure – Yes, it’s best to stick with horse manure in the beginning.
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Commercial worm food, (Worm Chow etc…) Just start sparingly
Do Not Feed:
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Citrus fruit
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Meat products
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Cooking oil or grease
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Human waste
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Pet waste
Redworm Reproduction
Mature breeding worms are easily identified by their clitellum, the swollen band located near the head. That is why some worm farmers call mature red wigglers “bundling worms.” Worms are hermaphrodites, meaning each one has female and male organs. However red worms still need to join to breed.
During mating worms slide along each other until their clitellum are aligned. They hold on to each other with bristle like hairs, called setae, located on their underside. While embraced they exchange reproductive seminal fluids which is stored for later use.
During the mating session, which lasts for about 3 hours, the worms secrete mucus rings around themselves. When the worms separate the mucus rings on each worm begins to harden and eventually slides off the worm. But before dropping off all the needed reproductive materials are scooped up into the ring.
When the mucus ring drops off the worm the end seals up, causing it to taper at one end, causing the familiar lemon shape of the cocoon. Over the next 20 days the cocoon darkens and hardens. The hatchlings inside the cocoon grow for a little over three months. Usually three hatchlings emerge from each cocoon.
Red worm hatchlings are not red; they start out looking like small white threats. However in less than a day they become a pale red and then quickly take on the dark red color associated with red worms.
Red worm cocoons have been known to survive for over two years when poor environmental conditions put worm survival in jeopardy and hatching is prevented. When temperature and moisture conditions improve the hatchlings emerge and the reproduction cycle kicks into high gear. Some worm farmers actually withhold food and water to simulate drought conditions and bump up cocoon production. We don’t recommend this for the home composter as it has the potential to kill off too many of your best worms.
Deepak kumar –
got earthworms as expected
UDIT KUMAR –
THANKS FOR THE FAST DELIVERY
Derek hunsaker –
Earthworms shipped well 🙂 ! I rehydrated them and let them rest in some moist soil with tasty tidbits in a smallish cardboard box, before letting them loose to “free-range” in my greenhouse garden. After a few hours the worms rehydrated, quickly grew in size, and they were already busy making babies within days – THANK YOU 😀 !!!
Arun kumar –
As expected, arrived fine. I was concerned as I ordered in the middle of the SUMMER during high temps but they were well packaged and arrived just fine with an amazing number of baby worms in addition to the adults.
Rama Krishna Nalam –
Very nice
Somasundar –
They came (almost) all alive and well packaged.
harsh kumar –
First time vermicomposting, and ordered these before I got my bins. The worm waited for almost 2 days after arriving at my home before I opened the package and placed them into the bedding. They were pretty much all wiggly or moving, and I actually did count them to make sure I got 200… my count – 228! Some were normal size, some were bigger, and some were teeny tiny. I appreciate that they sent more rather than less, and that they arrived alive and well. It’s been 3 days, and I think they are still settling in, so nothing much for me to say other than initial impressions.
Rahul Katiyar –
I ordered these for my worm bin and they have been great little worms! They arrived safe and sound in secure packaging, with lots of good bedding. I would definitely purchase from this seller again when ready to expand my worm operation!
Vicky –
The package came in a timely manner. All worms were alive and well. They were in a tiny bit of peat moss. I didn’t think there were actually 250 in there, but soon as I dumped it, the all started wiggling around.
anushaka malik –
thanks for the worms shrigramorganics
abhishek kumar –
very good
mayank –
Got live and healthy worms
thanks
lalit kumar –
Receive worms after 6 days of my order thanks for fast service and thanks for sending live and healthy worms .
Akash singh –
Order 5 kg of live earthworms.Happy with the customer service and live worms .
Thanks shrigramorganics
pankaj jalan –
packing could be way better and plus this is from gurgaon not chicago
Prianca –
Having doubt before ordering but finally received live worms .
Divya –
thanku for the live worms supply
Sulabh rathi –
Well packaged with well beneficiality..thanks
Dhanashri –
Fast delivery effective
Aditya Patel –
finally i can start my vermicompost bin at my Home . Received live worms firstly i have order 1 kg but i think i need 2 more kgs to start my bin .
Thomas T –
The worms were alive and healthy.
P.S Nayyar –
order 10 kg live worms for making compost for my personal garden and now almost after 50 days my compost is ready i am really happy after using my home made vermicompost in my garden . my aim is too have organic vegetable garden at my home . now i am getting good results after using vermicompost in my garden.
Mitul Patel –
Excellent product.
Yeah some worms are small but that is oky some worms bigger size .
SaiTeja –
Great product. Received alive earthworms , on time delivery. Have added the worms to a bucket full of cowdung . Will add the mixture to the compost pile on my farm.
Thank you so much.
Definitely recommended for all those interested in making vermicompost.
SUSHANTA MAHAPATRA –
Worms delivered to me on time.they are still alive when I get its.worms are kind of small and skinny but I will feed them to get fat and bigger so I could use them for fishing!
Rupesh Maurya –
Ordered on the 2nd sept 2021 ,received on 7th. wattered worms with Feed on the 10th and 16th of sept and the worms are thriving. Will be ordering more.
Siddharth singh –
Active, hungry composters!
This is my second time ordering worms from Shrigram organics .The first batch was wildly successful in my in-ground composter and I enjoyed a garden of delicious vegetables well into the fall. After moving, I got another in-ground composter installer and the second batch of worms wasted no time in making it their home. They are busy and happy worms, making black gold for my new garden only 3 weeks in.
Bikash Kumar Roy –
I live in Kerala and my worms arrived quickly and in good health. I put them in my vermicomposter and they appear to be doing great. I had some hitchhiker meal worms that concerned me at first. I contacted customer service and they got back to me right away saying it was ok and they would die off. I would definitely buy from them again considering the shipping time and helpful customer service.
Abhinav Mahanta –
Worms
Love em!!! My new best friends
Ramaiah S –
Awesome! Love peeling back the straw and seeing these beauties hard at work
Anish Rachcha –
Good shipping time, small but alive except a few and they have been thriving in their new home well enough to double the home size.
kunal prasad –
I ordered 5 kgworms and the order showed up looking a little smaller than I expected, and the worms were slightly dehydrated. I contacted support and they were super helpful. They looked at pictures that I sent them and they immediately sent me a new order of worms. Awesome place to do business with.
Mithun –
I received my package were all healthy live worms you guys did everything right on your side now it’s up to me to keep them alive lol
Kamlesh Kumar –
The worms arrived quickly and were packaged well. They bounced back easily after a few days adjustment to their new home. They’re a happy addition to our garden, allowing us to compost our kitchen scraps without attracting pests to the yard.
Preetham raj –
My worms arrived in good shape and are multiplying rapidly. I would definitely purchase again
Archana khandare –
fast, easy, and all the worms were wriggling their hearts out when I opened the package. they’re doing their job, and I’m loving watching their progress!
PRANAB D. –
Using the worms for the purpose that I ordered them was great. However, the box they were shipped in and the bag that the box was placed in had holes in it. There were worms on my door step and unknowingly my sister-in-law brought the package inside and placed it the dining room table. There were worms everywhere. It would be nice to make sure they don’t escape next time
Saurabh Acharya –
Worms came in alive and wiggling. Didn’t count them (ha!) but there were plenty of them in there.
PRANAVLAL M P –
Always love getting more worms to add to my compost tumbler! As I move the finished compost to my second bin I always lose a few worms embedded in the compost so I have to add more to the raw comparing tumbler. They seem to dig right in every time I add them.
Chetan –
My worms arrived quickly, and I was updated on when they would be delivered so I could ensure that I was home to unpack them promptly. They were alive and seemed healthy when I put them in their new home. It’s a few weeks later, and I’ve seen a bunch of little worms when I dig in the compost, so I think they’re making babies. I’d definitely recommend Shrigramorganics to anyone who wants to start a worm garden.
DK –
I was very pleased with the condition of my worms when they arrived. I was impressed with the level of customer service when my initial order was damaged by the carrier.
Vaibhav Pai Fondekar –
Despite taking over 10 days to reach the destination, the worms were fit & fine.
Abhay K. Shanu –
My 6th grade students loved exploring and observing the worms you sent us! It was a wonderful lesson and all of the worms were alive an so much fun!
Srikanth –
My worms arrived quickly and except for two or three were all alive and wriggling when I opened them. They are happily chewing through my food scraps and hopefully will start multiplying soon. Very excited to get my vermiculite bin started.
Pravin karwade –
I’ve used this company for composting worms several times in the past years and I’ve never been disappointed with their worms. They always come in great condition.
This is the only company I would use for my worms I highly recommend
Mitali Bhatt –
The worms arrived well packaged. They were active as soon as they were placed in their bin. I’ve had them for about a month now, and they are composting well. I will be testing the worm compost on our fall garden. Thanks!
Jayesh V –
Ordering was easy! I live in Kerala and it did take 5 days for the worms to arrive. I was a little worried they wouldn’t make it alive. However, they did and are going great 3 weeks later in their new bin.
Ruby Verma –
Love em!!! My new best friends
Jimmy George –
Wonderful experience. Exciting to watch my earthworms being introduced to their new home of garden.
Jimmy George –
Didn’t have a single dead worm upon delivery and haven’t lost one since, been about a month. Very pleased with everything.
Shashi bhushan kumar –
The worms arrived alive, and after being watered and fed, they are doing fine.
AMIT SARDAR –
Arrived perfectly healthy with a great mixture of sizes.
Shipra Goyal –
I added a bag each of Composting Worms to my 2 compost bins. In a weeks time I could see the compost levelling out, and levels lowering much quicker. I’m gonna be busy keeping these guys fed until they’re scooped into my garden bins.
shubhankar –
Very good. Good bunch of worms. They are now working at the job.
anand bharathi R –
Worms came alive and active. They are thriving in my planter beds and already multiplying😁 My garden is looking great🤙
subash07 –
Good experience and need another order
Swarnendu Chaudhuri –
Worms are alive and moving around in the DIY Worm box.
Deepak chandra joshi –
Exactly as it sounds, ordered worms & was delivered a bag of live worms.
Avijit Naskar –
Super awesome, they were all alive and came in fast. Plus I was notified of their arrival
Sreejith RJ –
Sill alive when they arrived. My last order from another vendor was a very sorry sight to see. No survivors.
VISAL V –
I live in the Pune and needed some active worm for our community garden compost as the City has not restarted the program. They are great and are busy at work…
Krishnendu Halder –
I have bought the 10 kg worm package three times in the past few years. They always arrive fresh and full of energy. I have a large property and garden and they keep my soil well aerated. I also put a few in my potted plants. Definitely worth the money in my book.
MasterDinesh –
Well they look happy in my worm bin so I’m happy!
Utkarsh Agrawal –
Although I didn’t count all the worms I ordered, I did look closely enough to see what condition they were in.
They were HUNGRY! A little on the slim side, but it wasn’t long before I had them fattened up and HAPPY!
This is my second purchase.
Jaydeep Vadgama –
Very healthy upon arrival…fair pricing…well packed. BEST BY FAR!
Chetna –
These worms were very awake and energetic. Very healthy.
Hemant –
Worms arrived in good condition and there was a good percentage of adult worms .
Aparnaa –
Arrived perfectly healthy with a great mixture of sizes. Really happy with my purchase thanks guys
Sanjay Verma –
This vendor was less expensive for 250 red wigglers (we didn’t count.) They arrived reasonably quickly (4 days – unbearably long for my 3rd grs. but fair for the vendor and post office 😉 The worms were complacent in the bag with a couple of escapees but after adding them to our prepared soil and providing over-ripe fruit, they were quickly making a comeback. In fact, after two weeks, several of my students were oooing about the “double headed worms” – uh…happily, uh, well, you know. I had to move my earthworm cocoon lesson up a bit. 🙂 Soon, we’ll have multiples! The worms are creating good soil (and babies) as they are supposed to. Buy from this vendor with no worries!
Gorav Kumar –
I have hesitation in ordering as worms may die in transit. But . What i got was a pleasant surprise. Entire packet was full of earthworms. Thanks for surprising us
AKSHAY R. –
earthworms number was good .
Manuj kumar –
happy with worms quality and quantity .
Iliyas –
With anything you contemplate buying you read the reviews, and of course there are always people who love a product. The 250 pack of worms I purchased arrived 3 days after ordering. They were all 100% alive and well. This is one product that I’ll have to take on faith. I’m not going to dig them up later to see how things are going, but I’m sure they’ll prosper in our rich soil.
Sreejith –
I recently bought a tumbling composter, added my red wigler‘s to veggie food scraps and these little guys are converting it into gorgeous worm castings. Worms arrived very healthy and quickly!
Avijit Naskar –
We received the Composting worms and their food very quickly. They were alive and ready to enjoy our compost bin. They seem to be doing their job. I hope they are happy in their new home.
Sinha –
I was very pleased with my order, they are doing great thank you. I will be doing my next order soon. 😄
MasterDinesh –
The ordering process is very easy, when they arrive in great health and nicely packaged.
Soumya –
Fast shipping, great service and work a were in great condition when they arrived !
Vishal shrishrimal –
So far the worms are working their way through a tremendous amount of spent cardboard egg cartons – laced with veggie matter from the kitchen. They are quite happy – no escapees yet.
Rupesh –
The worms arrived in a timely manner, they were healthy and looking for some food and water placed them in the garden and they are thriving! Will most likely order again!
Sai Bala Krishna Allamsetty –
My worms, though recovering from a dry journey , were active and healthy when they arrived!
Varghese Nettikadan –
So far so good. The worms arrived alive as are now busily doing their thing in my new in-ground composter. Thanks!
balpreet –
I wanted to wait a bit until I made a review, but I am happy and excited to say that the worms are doing great. I checked my in ground worm composter and was delighted to see so many worms! That means there’s many more worms just hanging out in the garden bed.
Varun Varma –
Very pleased. Worms are lively and hungry. Doing a great job. Thanks!
Ramakant –
I am brand new to worm farming. I am raising them for fishing. Shrigramorganics has made it easy for me to get started. I love the products. I have had them for a month and a half. Worms are growing and healthy.
Deepak Chauhan –
Worms arrived very quickly and were doing well. They’re happy in their new home in our vermicomposting garden .
Siva Viswanathan –
This is my second year ordering worms from shrigramorganics. The worms have arrived happy and healthy and got to work on my compost pile immediately!
Arunabha Saha –
Worms were shipped just fine, no problems. They are munching away, however for some reason I keep finding several on the sides of the container as if they’re trying to escape, and it’s taking awhile for the food to get eaten up. I thought maybe the medium was not wet enough so I added water. Learning as I go!
Ragav –
Worms came quickly. From what I can tell, they were all alive
sreeram –
Got my worms when I expected to which is super helpful. Worms are healthy and ready to compost! I’m loving the ease of worm composting and the casting soil benefits for my plants.
Karthik –
Great! Worms arrived in good condition, I don’t speak worm, but they seamed happy!
Nitingupta –
3rd day delivery in Delhi Fantastic!
Sagy –
Have been a customer for years and never disappointed in their products or service.
Vishal shrishrimal –
1st shipment arrived dead but shrigram organics quickly sent out a new batch and they all went into the garden alive and healthly. Thanks
Ambuj Pandey –
Not sure yet but the seem to be happy in their new home.
Siddharth K. –
Great products: healthy robust worms & cococoir for bedding.
I also reached out for help with my worms escaping! I would like more information on the maintenance phase of the worm farm. There’s very little on this. For example the best & most gentle way to moisten the bedding. (I use a spray bottle)
Ragesh Ram –
I was very happy with the worms I received. I had ordered from a different company only to be very disappointed but Shrigramorganics worms were healthy and strong. I will definitely order again. Thanks
Nagendra –
Wonderful. So fast I had to hurry and build their home. They have already gone through about 2-3 kg of leaf litter, oats, bananas, pears, apples, and cucumbers.
radhika –
Excellent customer service. My worms are active and healthy.
shivam saxena –
Overall experience was excellent, even though the original batch died during shipment, but you resolved it in a timely manner. thank you,
Dikshita –
Even with the worms arriving 4 days later than expected, it looked like all the worms made it. They were active, and quickly disappeared into their new home.
Mudit Pandit –
My 20kg Red Composting Worm arrived safely and ready to munch! They are now hard at work breaking down kitchen waste for me. Thanks
Darshana Kumari –
Wonderful customer service and a great product. Will definitely be reaching out to them again.
Sureshkumar M –
My worms came very healthy! They like their new home!
Tanay Mankar –
Worms came as promised and are thriving after 2 weeks. I am always surprised at how active they are when checking on them! Would definitely recommend shrigram organics
Vipin –
Everything was just as advertised. Got the worms in 3 day. Put them in my compost bins and they went to work
Aditya patel –
Excellent service
Priyanka K. –
Excellent quality. The worms are all wriggling and eating through all my organic kitchen wast.
ANKITA DEY –
Will buy in the future
Sankar swaminathan –
All worms arrived alive and healthy. A month later, they are now thriving and doing well. I’ve bought from shrigram organics before, and this order has been as great as the others. I will always turn to shrigram organics first for my worms.
Abhinav –
Recommended by a friend and i am happier with the experience. Worms were delivered fast and healthy. Now they’re right at home in my garden.
Ashwin –
Worms were delivered in good condition and without any problems..put them straight into my compost bin and they went to work.
Tarang T –
healthy worms! I would recommend this business to my friends and family.
Abhi raj –
Thanks for the healthy worms. The go to for reg wigglers.
venkbabu66 –
While placing an order of red wiggler worm (1KG) I was skeptical, whether they are gonna ship red wiggler worms or Indian blue worms, but I received pure red wiggler worm in best packing, proper care were taken to avoid damages while shipping and its my first order from Shrigram Organics. They are using ShipRocket to ship orders so I got amazon courier service for my pin code.
For 1kg pack I got nearly 500 baby and juvenile stage worms and very few adult worms, for this price its a best deal. once you got the pack, open the pack and sprinkle some water and let it sit for 10mins in light then switch the worms along with the bedding that came with because there are some cocoons are also there and microorganism dump all to your worm bin, make sure to keep it under light otherwise worms try escape since they are in new place! in day time keep under any light and at night compulsory keep under any light source. thanks Shrigram for sending quality product at afforable price, iam really happy to see pure and healthy red wiggler worms.
vijay savani –
My items arrived and the worms are doing well. It’s been over a week now and they seem to like their new home. Going to add more compost material to their home top soon. Hope they enjoy it.
Gowtham –
This is the 3rd time we’ve purchased – and as usual – AWESOME!
RISHABH –
I had a good experience with the worms from shrigram organics farm. I had done a lot of research before ordering my worms and I was ready. They have been in their new home for four weeks and are thriving.
Aribam –
Excellent! Will buy from Shrigram organics again.
Bhagirathsinh Parmar –
Worms arrive in excellent condition.
Nenavath Rajesh naik –
Everything arrived promptly and looked great!
Balaji Mishra –
I live in noida and worms arrived super quick and alive. I rehydrated them and gave them a new home and they love it. Would recommend to anyone looking to start a worm bin at home.
m.shashi11 –
Noida(UP) to Mangalore (Karnataka) ….5days… 2100km..
its really amazing …
I bought 2kg earthworms all are alive and I’am really happy especially customer care service(Upkar Singh) is really wonderful. Thank you so much Shrigram Organics for your care and maintenance keep going with your service good luck,,👍
Kajal Das –
Excellent product…I live in Tripura… received 5 kg in good condition..all worms were alive…I will buy again from Shrigramorganics.com.
Krutika –
Quality and packing is excellent. The worms were all alive and in good quantity
Anamika –
The communication and dealing with the supplier was excellent and delivery was much faster than expected . the packing was brilliant . happy with my purchase