by R. Redworm

Where to buy red worms in Minnesota

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Table Of Contents
  1. Where To Buy Worms In Minnesota
  2. Local Online Sellers
  3. Worm Stores In Minnesota

Minnesota is home to many places to buy compost worms. Today, I aim to help you find small sellers and support your local worm community.

If you want to save yourself the search, you could purchase worms from our friends and Meme’s Worms (clicking this link helps support our website).

Minnesota has a few different places to buy compost worms. Let’s jump in.

Where To Buy Worms In Minnesota

Dig In Leaf Litter (The Free Method)

First, let’s jump into the free and natural method, digging in the dirt. This method allows you to collect local worms that you can release back into nature if you don’t care for vermicomposting. It’s also 100% free and can help anyone get started without money.

I advise waiting after prolonged soaking rainfall and then going to your local forest, wooded area, or park. Worms breathe through their skin; if the ground is soaked, they can’t breathe. They will often wiggle to the surface under leaves or, sometimes, on the sidewalk. You need to check these areas and collect the worms you find.

This is one of my favorite methods because

  1. You use native worms (releasable back in nature)
  2. It’s free
  3. Fun and kid-friendly
  4. Harms fewer worms in the process
  5. Includes beneficial bacteria to help your worms get established

Point five talks about beneficial bacteria. As a vermicomposter, you may think only worms exist in your worm bin. However, it is home to unknown numbers of fellow insects, microbes, and bacteria. There is no need to be alarmed. They are helpers.

Minnesota forrest nature and lake
Minnesota has a wide variety of fields, lakes, and streams

Collecting your worms outdoors allows you to grab a small amount of soil. Just a note- do not fill your compost bin with dirt- use worm bedding. The soil and dirt crumbles can help your worm bin get a jump start on building its ecosystem.

Contact Bait Stores

Next, you can always contact your local fishing and bait shop if you’re not interested in digging in the dirt. Many people overlook bait and tackle stores because they sell worms for fish to eat. However, finding great compost worms here is more common than you think.

Call ahead and ask for Eisenia fetida, also known as tiger or red worms. These are all names for the same worm, our friendly compost worm. Another variety that you can use is blue worms.

Some bait shops mix red and blue worms because they are relatively the same size. This is just fine for vermicomposting purposes. Both worms are great composters and prefer to live in colonies.

Check The Garden Nursery

Another typical local place that may carry worms is the farm and garden store. As chemical fertilizer prices rise and awareness about environmental issues, people turn to natural fertilizers. Worms have elegantly fit this need for many people, and garden stores carry them.

Worms break down, aerate the soil and feed plants. You can release worms into the ground. You could also put the worms in a bin, collect their compost, and make compost tea, adding beneficial bacteria to your garden.

Local Online Sellers

Buy Worms In MN On Craigslist, eBay, and Etsy Sellers

You can always check online marketplaces if you don’t want to call around and want to find someone selling worms. You would be surprised how many people sell compost worms on Craigslist, eBay, Etsy, or Social Media Marketplaces.

You can always check outlets like eBay or Etsy if you want your worms mailed to you. Both websites offer you the option to filter your results by location. You can enter your zip code and search for resources within 25 miles or less. If you can’t find any worms for sale near you, expand your search and try again.

Composting worms Ebay
Add your zip code to find sellers near you

Click here to check eBay

Click here to check Etsy

If you’re a social media user, you can also be sure to check your yard, garage, and trade-only pages. Put out on the boards that you are looking to buy worms and the total amount you want to spend. Many people will give you a pretty great deal on worms.

Worm Stores In Minnesota

Here are a few stores that you can check out.

Speedy Worms
5116 Co Rd 82 NW
Alexandria, MN
320-762-8247

LaVermes Worms
4781 Emerson Rd.
Duluth, MN 55803
218-721-4422

Cedar Family Farm
25024 County Road Winona, MMN 55987
507-459-1010

Add a website

If you know of other websites to directly buy red worms in Minnesota, please share them below. Our goal is to make it easier for vermicomposters to get started.