04-14-2016, 08:39 PM
I sold worms as a kid and had a refrigerator buried in the backyard. We kept them in a layer of dirt and peat moss and would keep gunny-sacks on top and threw in grass clippings and coffee grounds now and then. They were usually still alive the next spring. A few years ago I started catching them and selling them by the pound to Verlo Otten in SLC to help pay for elk permits and then for 3 extra years of college, so I have caught more than half a million. (had to keep track for IRS) You have to keep them cool but not too cold (between 43 and 55 degrees) and damp but just barely. Too cold they die, too hot they die, too wet or dry they die. For bedding I used recycled paper pellets I bought in 25 lb. bags and mixed 1 to 1 with water, then a handful of peat moss, or alfalfa pellets for food. Your newspaper was too wet if it was slimy. Most worm bedding is recycled paper that has been pulverized. It works well, but most people get it too wet. If you can squeeze water out of it its too wet. I just kept mine in plastic boxes with lids (no air holes needed). This is probably more info than you wanted but I hope you find something useful.
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