Wormera FAQs – Mealworms, Red Wigglers, Castings, Worm Composting
We’ve made our FAQs short, clear, and helpful—so you can order with confidence and start composting or feeding your animals right away. If we missed anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to Contact Us.
General & Shipping
Why buy from Wormera?
We grow and ship directly from our farm in Alberta, Canada—so you know you’re getting quality red wiggler worms, mealworms, worm castings and frass. We strive for excellent products and customer service. But don't take our word for it, read our 5-star verified customer reviews.
Where are you located?
We are located and ship from our farm north-west of Edmonton, outside of Flatbush, Alberta, Canada.
Where do you ship? Do you ship to PO Boxes?
We ship to all Canadian provinces and territories, including PO boxes. We do not ship internationally.
What is your shipping policy?
Please see our complete shipping policy HERE.
When will my order be shipped?
We only ship live orders on Mondays (or Tuesdays during long weekends) to ensure the best shipping results. Other items are shipped within three business days.
How long until my order arrives?
Your shipping time will be determined by your location and Canada Post delivery schedules. You will receive tracking information once your order is sent.
Will I receive tracking information?
If you added an email when you placed your order, you will receive an email with the tracking number and estimated delivery date once your order is shipped.
Can I pick up my order in Edmonton or Calgary?
At the moment, Wormera only ships directly from our Alberta farm. We don’t yet have local pickup points in Edmonton or Calgary, but we are exploring this option. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when pickup becomes available.
Live Arrival Guarantee & Refunds
Do you guarantee your products?
Absolutely! We stand by what we sell, so if you are ever unhappy with your purchase, please contact us for a refund or replacement within 2 hours of delivery for live orders or 5 days of delivery for non-live orders. Shipping charges will not be refunded. See our shipping and refund policies for complete details.
What if my mealworms arrive cold or are not moving?
This can be normal. Let them warm up slowly and follow our care instructions—they usually perk right back up.
What if my order contains dead worms?
We include a buffer (5 or 10% extra, depending on the distance travelled) in every order. If more than that don’t make it, email us with a photo within 2 hours of delivery, and we’ll replace it or refund you. Guaranteed.
What if my worms arrive dead?
We guarantee live arrival! If your worms don’t survive the trip, simply contact us with a photo within 2 hours of delivery, and we’ll replace your order or issue credit.
Where do I find your refund policy?
Please see our complete refund policy HERE.
Mealworm Questions & Care
What is included with my mealworm order?
Quantities greater than 2500 of our Large or Extra-Large mealworms will be shipped in a cotton bag instead of a plastic container. Smaller quantities and smaller worms will still be shipped in a clear plastic container with worms and bedding in it. A packing list and care guide is included with your order.
Where are your worms grown?
Our worms are born and raised on our farm in Alberta, Canada.
How do I care for my mealworms?
Keep your mealworms in fresh bedding and give them some fresh veggies for moisture. For everything you need to know please see our mealworm care guide.
What do mealworms eat?
They love carrots, potatoes, squash, or lettuce—plus their bedding.
How long do mealworms live after delivery?
If kept refrigerated and following the care instructions included with your order, mealworms can survive for several months.
Are your worms fed any animal products?
No, our worms are not fed any animal products at any stage of their lifecycle. They are only fed fresh vegetables and our Optimum Worm Feed and Bedding.
Are your worms treated with any hormones or chemicals?
No, our worms are not treated with hormones or chemicals at any stage of their lifecycle.
Can humans eat your worms?
No, our worms are not labelled or packaged for human consumption.
What are these white things in my order of mealworms?
Those are pupa! Mealworms will sometimes change into their next phase of development if stressed. They will turn into beetles in a couple of weeks. The pupae are absolutely harmless. They can be fed to your chickens and pets just as you would feed a worm. Once your worms are refrigerated, the pupation process will slow.
Can I really keep my mealworms in my fridge?
Absolutely! Unless you are starting a farm, we recommend that you keep your worms in a refrigerator. Don’t worry, they can’t climb smooth plastic so they won’t escape through the holes in the lid.
Do you sell dried mealworms?
No, we do not carry dried mealworms.
Why are your mealworms more expensive than dried ones in stores?
The majority of dried mealworms on the market today are industrially produced in China and then imported and repackaged for sale. They are freeze-dried and sold in bulk, which lowers the costs.
Our mealworms are more difficult to ship and obviously cannot be stored indefinitely, which is why they are more expensive per kilogram.
How many mealworms should I feed to my chickens?
Feed your adult chicken 10-12 mealworms each day as a healthy protein supplement. You can double their mealworm intake in extremes of hot or cold weather, during breeding, and when moulting. This will help your birds deal with stress.
Can I use your worms to start my own colony?
Absolutely! You can start a colony easily with our Mealworm Farm Kits. We've simplified the process by including worms at every life stage for a continuous supply for your pets.
Where can I learn the full process of mealworm farming?
Visit our Learning Centre for complete step‑by‑step instructions straight from our farm.
Red Wiggler Composting Worm Questions
How many red wigglers should I order to start composting?
We recommend 1 lb (about 1,000 worms) for a small household bin. Larger families or heavier food waste may need to start with 2–3 lbs and up.
What will I get in the mail when I order red wiggler worms?
Our red wiggler worms are shipped in cloth bags with peat moss bedding. A packing list and care guide is included with your order.
How do I set up a worm composting bin?
Line your vermicomposting bin with damp bedding (shredded paper, cardboard, or coco coir). Add your worms and keep the bin at 18–25 °C.
What can I put in my worm composting bin?
In addition to their bedding, you can add fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggshells. Avoid adding meat, dairy, oily, or acidic foods.
For everything you need to know please see our red wiggler care guide.
What should I not feed my worm bin?
- Meat, dairy, oily foods, or processed foods
- Large amounts of citrus or onions
- Spicy foods like peppers
- Pet waste from carnivores
These items can attract pests, smell bad, or harm the worms. Stick to fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and shredded cardboard for the best results.
Citrus are too acidic and can upset the balance of the bin. To prevent or correct an acidic bin we recommend our Grit/pH Booster.
How much bedding should I add?
Fill the bin one-half to three-quarters full with bedding material. The moisture level should feel like a wrung-out sponge.
How often should I feed my worms?
Start small—add scraps once or twice a week. When most food is gone, add more. Over time you’ll find the right rhythm.
Overfeeding can lead to excess moisture, which can cause toxic conditions for your worm bin.
How fast do red wiggler worms reproduce?
Under ideal conditions, red wigglers can double their population every 60 to 90 days. This is based on count and not worm weight, as it can take many months for them to reach adult size.
How do I harvest worm castings?
Push castings to one side of the bin and add fresh bedding and food to the other. Worms will migrate, leaving rich castings mostly free of worms and ready to use.
Can worms stay outside in the winter?
Technically yes, but only where there are mild winters. However in most parts of Canada, if the temperature falls far below 0°C outdoor bins or the worms themselves have to be brought indoors to ensure their survival.
How do I tell when my worm bin is balanced and healthy?
A healthy worm compost bin should have a mild earthy smell (not sour or ammonia), bedding that is damp but not waterlogged, food decomposing steadily (not sitting uneaten), worms visible near the surface, and temperatures between about 18-25°C. If you notice unpleasant odours, large moisture accumulation, or the bedding turning slimy, adjust by adding more dry bedding, reducing feeding and increasing airflow by removing covers.
Why does my worm compost bin smell bad?
A smelly bin means something is off. Fix it quickly by adding bedding, reducing food, and fluffing the bin.
How do I prevent fruit flies or pests in my worm bin?
- Always bury food scraps under bedding
- Freeze scraps before adding them (which kills eggs)
- Cover the surface with moist newspaper or cardboard
- Don’t overfeed—worms eat faster than you think!
If flies appear, cut back on feeding and add more bedding.
What is vermicompost tea?
Vermicompost tea is a liquid fertilizer made by steeping worm castings in water. It extracts beneficial microbes and nutrients, creating a powerful, all-natural plant booster.
How do I make vermicompost tea?
Mix worm castings in a bucket of water (rainwater or dechlorinated tap water works best). Let it steep 12–24 hours, stirring occasionally. For best results, use an aerator (like a small aquarium pump) to keep oxygen flowing.
What are the benefits of vermicompost tea?
It adds beneficial microbes to the soil, improves nutrient uptake, strengthens plant roots, and helps plants resist pests and diseases.
How do I use vermicompost tea?
As a soil drench: Pour directly at the base of plants.
As a foliar spray: Mist leaves in the morning or evening. This helps beneficial microbes colonize plant surfaces.
For seedlings: Dilute with water (about 1 part tea to 5 parts water) to avoid overwhelming tender root
How long does vermicompost tea last?
Use it within 24–48 hours of brewing for maximum effectiveness.
What about the liquid at the bottom of my worm bin (leachate)?
Leachate is different from brewed compost tea. It's the raw liquid that drains out of the bin, and it may contain harmful anaerobic bacteria. If you collect it, dilute it heavily with water (at least 10:1) before applying it to soil, and avoid spraying it directly on edible leaves and seedlings. For the safest and most effective results, stick with properly brewed vermicompost tea.
Where can I learn more about worm composting?
Visit our Learning Centre for full guides, troubleshooting, and videos (coming soon) directly from our farm.
Fertilizers
What are worm castings and mealworm frass?
Castings are the manure from red wiggler earthworms frass is the manure from mealworms.
How do I use worm castings?
Add worm castings your plants before planting or work into on the top of the soil. They will never burn your plants. Please see our complete worm casting directions.
Can I use worm castings in my vegetable garden and are there any risks?
Yes, worm castings are excellent for vegetable gardens. They are rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes, and help improve soil structure. To avoid overapplication, work castings into the top layer of soil. Wash produce harvested from the garden before eating, as you would with any soil amendment.
How do I use mealworm frass?
Add mealworm frass to your plants before planting or work into the top of the soil. They will never burn your plants. Please see our complete mealworm frass directions.
How do I store castings?
Castings should be stored in the bag in a cool area. They should not dry out or freeze for the best results.
Are there weed seeds in your castings?
Our worms are not fed weeds from our yard, compost or manure as some other casting producers do. If an unexpected plant does pop up when using our product, it is most likely a tomato or pepper seed. Our worms get a lot of these in the fall harvest season and they are often too small to be sifted out.
What are these bugs crawling in my worm castings?
Our worm castings are a living product. Not only will they sometimes include baby red wigglers that sneak through the sifting screen, but also soil mites or springtails. These critters are entirely normal and will not harm you, your pets or your plants. They are a healthy part of the composting process.