What to Feed Earthworms Guide

I get asked this question more than almost anything else: what to feed earthworms so they stay alive, active, and healthy. Most problems with worm bins do not come from the worms themselves. They come from feeding mistakes.

In this guide, I am going to explain exactly what earthworms eat, what foods help them thrive, and what foods cause trouble. I will share this from real experience, using clear language and simple steps, and I will back it up with trusted outside sources so you can feel confident you are doing this the right way.

Why Feeding Earthworms the Right Way Matters

Earthworms are simple creatures, and they are also very sensitive. When food is right, they work nonstop. When food is wrong, the system breaks down fast.

Good feeding leads to:

• Healthy worms
• No bad smells
• Fast compost breakdown

Poor feeding leads to:

• Escaping worms
• Rotten odors
• Pests and mold

Food choice matters more than people think.

What Do Earthworms Actually Eat?

Earthworms do not eat fresh food the way people do. They eat decaying organic matter and the microbes growing on it.

That means worms prefer food that is:

• Soft
• Breaking down
• Moist

They rely on bacteria and fungi to help digest food.

Types of Earthworms and Why It Matters

Not all earthworms eat the same way.

This guide focuses on composting earthworms like:

• Red wigglers
• Other surface-dwelling worms

Garden earthworms eat soil and organic matter mixed together. Compost worms live on food scraps and bedding. Feeding advice depends on the type you have.

Best Foods to Feed Earthworms

Vegetable Scraps

Vegetable scraps are the best everyday food.

Good options:

• Lettuce
• Cucumber
• Carrot peels
• Squash

These break down fast and are easy for worms to process.

Fruit Scraps (In Small Amounts)

Fruits are fine when used carefully.

Best choices:

• Melon rinds
• Banana peels
• Apple cores

Cut fruit into small pieces. Bury it well to avoid flies.

Must Read : How Do I Make a Worm Bed? Step-by-Step Guide

Coffee Grounds and Filters

Earthworms do well with coffee grounds.

Tips:

• Use in moderation
• Mix into bedding
• Include paper filters

Coffee adds grit and helps digestion.

Crushed Eggshells

Eggshells provide calcium and help balance acidity.

How to use them:

• Rinse shells
• Dry completely
• Crush into powder

Sprinkle lightly in the bin.

Aged Paper and Cardboard

Worms eat bedding too.

Good bedding foods:

• Shredded newspaper
• Plain cardboard
• Paper egg cartons

These materials balance moisture and give worms fiber.

Foods Earthworms Love Less (Use Carefully)

Some foods are okay in small amounts.

Limit these:

• Bread
• Pasta
• Rice

These can clump and cause odor if overfed.

What Not to Feed Earthworms

This part matters a lot.

Do not feed:
❌ Meat
❌ Dairy
❌ Oily foods
❌ Salty foods
❌ Spicy foods

These rot fast and attract pests.

Citrus and Acidic Foods

Citrus is not poison, and it needs limits.

Avoid large amounts of:

• Oranges
• Lemons
• Pineapple

Small amounts are fine if balanced with bedding.

Must Read : How Long Do Composting Worms Live?

How Often Should You Feed Earthworms?

I always start slow.

In a new bin:

• Feed once every 5–7 days

In a mature bin:

• Feed when food is mostly gone

Worms eat based on conditions, not a calendar.

How Much Food Do Earthworms Need?

A common rule is:

• Worms eat about half their body weight per day

In real life, feeding depends on:

• Temperature
• Moisture
• Population size

When in doubt, feed less.

How to Prepare Food for Earthworms

Preparation helps worms eat faster.

Best practices:

• Chop food into small pieces
• Freeze and thaw scraps
• Bury food under bedding

Smaller food breaks down quicker.

Feeding Earthworms in Different Setups

Worm Bins

In bins, control matters most.

• Bury food
• Rotate feeding spots
• Watch moisture

Worm Beds and Outdoor Systems

Outdoor systems handle more food.

Still avoid:

• Large clumps
• Exposed scraps

Cover food well to prevent pests.

Must Read : Why Worms Hate Being Disturbed (And What’s Normal)

Signs You Are Feeding Earthworms Correctly

I look for these signs:

• Worms stay buried
• No strong smells
• Food disappears steadily

These signs mean balance is right.

Signs You Are Feeding Earthworms the Wrong Way

Watch for:
❌ Sour smells
❌ Worms climbing walls
❌ Food piling up

These signals mean adjusting feeding and bedding.

What to Do If You Overfeed Earthworms

Overfeeding happens, and it is fixable.

Steps:

1. Stop feeding
2. Remove excess food
3. Add dry bedding

Worm systems recover when corrected early.

Can You Buy Commercial Worm Food?

Yes, and it can help.

Commercial worm food often contains:

• Ground grains
• Minerals
• Balanced nutrients

It is optional, not required.

Food scraps work just fine.

Seasonal Feeding Tips

Worms eat slower in cold weather.

In winter:

• Feed less
• Check moisture

In warm conditions:

• Feed slightly more
• Watch for overheating

Must Read : How Worms Sense Moisture and Air

Are Earthworms Picky Eaters?

Earthworms are simple.

They want:

• Soft food
• Stable moisture
• Mild temperatures

When those needs are met, they eat well.

Final Thoughts

If you are asking what to feed earthworms, the answer is not complicated. Feed soft plant scraps. Go slow. Balance food with bedding. Watch how worms respond.

Worms tell you what works if you pay attention.