Many people would rather let their pile sit and let nature do her work over a several month period. If you turn your pile frequently, you may produce compost in one month. If you turn your pile once in a while, you may produce compost in 3-6 months. Most commercially sold compost bioactivators contain microorganisms which will help your pile start composting. However, similar microorganisms are readily available in a handful of soil or finished compost.
Nightcrawlers are soil-dwellers, thus they like to burrow several feet below the surface.
By burrowing, the nightcrawlers mix different layers of the soil, while creating tunnels which aerate the soil. Red wigglers are often found among the fallen leaves of the forest floor, as well as in manure piles. Worms do not have teeth, therefore they cannot bite you. Do not be afraid to hold a worm. Most people find that the worms are soft and ticklish.