What to feed your worms

The basics

Red wigglers are efficient processors, but the quality and variety of what you feed them affects both the speed of composting and the richness of the final castings.

Great foods

• Fruit & vegetable scraps — peels, cores, and leaves are ideal. Softer material breaks down fastest.
• Coffee grounds & filters — worms love grounds. Add liberally.
• Crushed eggshells — provide calcium and help neutralize acidity.
• Cardboard and plain paper — balances the "greens" and prevents the bin from getting too wet.

Foods to avoid

• Meat and fish — attracts pests and creates odours.
• Dairy — same problem as meat.
• Citrus in large quantities — the acidity can harm worms; small amounts are fine.
• Onions and garlic — generally avoided; some worm keepers use small amounts without issue.
• Oily or processed foods — hard to break down and can coat bedding.

Tips for faster composting

Chop or blend scraps before adding — smaller pieces break down significantly faster. Freeze and thaw scraps before adding to break down cell walls. Keep the bin moist but not wet; it should feel like a wrung sponge.