Native Australian worms? Do the compost worms outcompete the native earthworms? And do they allow the native earthworms in if they choose to enter the subpod?

One native Australian composting worm, perionyx excavatus, also known as spenceralia, is commonly called Indian Blue or blueys.  This worm species happens to be the fastest breeding worm in general composting use (1 worm produces 18 worms per week in ideal conditions). This worm also eats faster than any other generally available composting worm.  When you are converting organic waste into worm compost in as short a time as possible, then you can't beat this worm. However, this worm prefers warmer climates and is likely to crawl from its bedding if conditions are not right for it. The Indians can grow up to 150mm long.  If you live in a warmer climate, you can just use these worms. 

INDIAN BLUES/BLUEYS (Perionyx Excavatus)

These can be sourced from Kookaburra Worm Farms, in Queensland.  They are suited for warmer climates so not sure how they would go down south (I'm Qld).  Kookaburra WF sell a mix with up to 5 different species and includes the Australian. 

Within the soil surrounding your Subpod, you will likely find non- composting native worms as they will inhabit the deeper soil layers of your garden and will not be competing with the composting worms supplies for the Subpod.

• Related Articles

• Can I compost dead worms?

  It is fine to compost the dead worms in the Subpod. However, we recommend having plenty of bedding to dilute the rotting carcasses. This will ensure that your Subpod environment is still comfortable for the living worms still in your system. Luckily, ...

• Why choose a Subpod? What makes a Subpod special? How does Subpod work?

  Subpod is a unique invention which combines worms and composting underground.  The Subpod has a series of holes throughout the box which allow the worms to move freely in and out.  This means the surrounding soil is aerated and nutrients delivered ...

• I was told that compost worms can’t live in soil. How do the worms aerate and get nutrients to the soil around the subpod if they can’t survive there?

  In nature composting worms live in the top layer of a forest floor, which is high in organic matter. In other words, they need high amounts of organic matter (your food scraps) to thrive. Subpod creates this environment, and in the beginning, your ...

• When the Subpod is full, how do I remove the finished compost, without harming the many worms within?

   Compost worms struggle to live in the soil, as they need high levels of organic matter (your food scraps ;) ) so they will always return to their Subpod home. We have thought long and hard about HOW to collect your compost without hurting our worm ...

• How do you prevent pathogenic anaerobes in a subterranean compost?

  The Subpod drains excess liquid to the outside of the Subpod using all the wormholes in the Subpod. There is also a slope at the bottom of the Subpod which drains excess liquid out through the worm tea outlet. A suitable quantity of dry carbon should ...