Where to buy compost worms in Hawaii
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
You may find it challenging to buy compost worms in Hawaii, especially if you live on the smaller islands of the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain. Most larger islands have a few different ways you could get started. However, if you live on some of the more remote islands, you may have to look toward our friends over at Meme’s Worms (clicking this link helps support the website, thanks in advance!).
The state of Hawaii has a few different worm sellers. Today I will share some locations you can check for worms to help you get started.
Let’s get started
Where To Buy Compost Worms In Hawaii
Contact Fishing And Tackle Stores
One of the most common places in rural islands and cities is your local fishing supplies store. Many bait sellers carry a variety of worms. They will offer large bait, giant worms like earthworms, and blue and red worms.
When you contact the seller, ask if they have red wigglers, Eisenia fetida, tiger worms, or red worms. Another common variety of worms you can use to compost is blue worms.
Some people have found success with composting with earthworms. However, earthworms do not live in colonies like red worms. Instead, they prefer living further in the earth away from other worms. Unless you make special considerations for the needs of earthworms, avoid them from your indoor compost bin.
It’s okay if your bait shop mixes red and blue worms. These worms work superbly together, and both fall under the Eisenia type of worm, which likes to live on the soil and feed on decaying matter. Reds eat more for their size, but both compost a lot of food waste.
Check Farm And Garden Supply Stores
Next, stores that recently started carrying compost worms are farm supplies, garden stores, and plant nurseries. Worms increase soil biodiversity and add beneficial microbes to the soil. As more people look to compost, more farm and garden stores fill this need by selling worms.
Call ahead to your local farm or garden store before showing up. This is still a new product for many stores, and they may not carry worms. Also, check that they have worms and not worm castings. Worm castings are the same as vermicompost or the nutrient-rich poop of your worms!
Dig In The Soil (The Free Method)
Last but not least, I want to share the easiest and most accessible method – digging in the dirt. Composting worms live in the top layer of the soil. You can often find them in the leaf litter in the woods, manure piles, or outdoor compost piles with minimal digging.
This is one of my favorite methods because
- It’s free
- Includes beneficial bacteria to help your worms get established
- You use native worms (releasable back in nature)
- Harms fewer worms in the process
- Fun and kid-friendly
Any dirt crumbles you grab with the worms can help jumpstart your worm bin. Earth from the outdoors includes beneficial bacteria and microbes. These additions to your compost bin are helpful and break down food for your worms. Please note, compost worms do not live in dirt or soil, but instead in leaf litter, and more aerated locations. You can find out more about indoor worm compost bedding here.
This free method is beneficial for people looking for a slow start. For example, say you find 25-50 worms. The worms will take six months to build to a population of 205+ worms. Worms create cocoons that can release 3-5 worms every 90 days.
Digging in the dirt is great and fun if you are okay with a slow start to vermicomposting.
Local Online Sellers
Social Media Marketplaces
You can turn online if you can’t find a brick-and-mortar location to buy worms. More and more people are selling worms through online social media marketplaces.
Facebook’s marketplace and many trade-only groups give plenty of opportunities to connect with other small private sellers in your community.
My worm composting journey started through a Facebook trade-only page. I requested a small container of worms for a bag of coffee. I expected just a cup or two of worms. Instead, I was greeted by someone willing to give me shovels of worms and compost from their outdoor bin. Their compost was rich with worms and beneficial microbes.
Plus, I got to share the joy of composting and meet someone in the community—a win-win.
Buy Worms In GA On Craigslist, eBay, and Etsy Sellers
I can’t believe that I forgot about when I started Craigslist. In my mind, I reserved it for selling or buying used bikes and vehicles. However, there are a lot of people selling worms for bait or composting for extra money.
This is a great way to support a local seller. Here are some quick links to buy worms in Hawaii on Craigslist.
Another online resource that can help you buy compost worms in Hawaii is eBay or Etsy. You can filter the results by zip code. Start with the closest distance option. If there are no results, expand to the next closest option until you find a seller. Often people can find a seller within 25 miles of their home.
Worm Stores In Hawaii
Thankfully, if you want to purchase worms from a worm breeder in Hawaii, you have one option. Below I’ve listed a few different places you can find worms. These also include some home and garden stores that sell worms as well. If you know a brick-and-mortar business where you can buy worms, please share their information below!
At least one location that formally sells composting worms is Waikiki Worms. You can find a link to their website below.
Add a website
Please share them below if you know other websites to directly buy red worms in Hawaii. Our goal is to make it easier for vermicomposters to get started.
