Another to exalt the good works of the small but mighty earthworm is Trish Westerman-Connor, recycling educator for Peoria County Solid Waste Management. In her school presentations, she dazzles kids with worm facts. Earthworms have been on this earth for more than 300 million years. Worms are big eaters, according to Westerman-Connor. They can eat up to their body weight per day, she added.
Worms also are prolific reproducers, and they like a crowded environment.
But their population is limited to their environment. In a small container, they will produce only as many as can live in it, the recycling educator said. I encourage students to compost with worms. Setting up a worm bin doesn't take a lot of work. In the basement of the courthouse, the recycling educator has several bins of redworms, which are considered the best for worm composting.