Earthworm Probe

[ATNGUY]

A response to Aundrea's Thread on Earthworms.

I thought I would start a new thread since I went off on a tangent.


The dowel trick works, and the same reaction can be had with a pitchfork. I believe the worms are fooled into thinking Mr. Mole is coming, so they run to the surface.

WORM PROBE: Sssssnakeluvr explained the process pretty well. I use a pretty heavy gauge cord, like the cord from an old hair dryer, computer or fridge. In order to make the probe safer than the ones we made in college, I attached each wire to a screwdriver. Now it doesn't matter if you use a Philips or a flathead, but I would recommend using a plastic or rubber handle, not wood. (note careful use of sarcasm to make an important point! Don't ZAP yourself)
Strip off a couple of inches of the wires insulation, wrap it around the screw driver and secure it wire electrical tape. Look at my picture, I used some heavy gauge speaker wire so I could move the probes easily.

The grass should be damp, like a few hours after you watered. Stick probes in the ground about a foot to 18 inches apart, (30 to 45 cm for all the metric guys out there) plug probe into the extension. Watch the worms wiggle to the surface.

Pick up the worms. Move the probes, either one at a time, or the same time. Wear rubber sole shoes. Sometimes, if the ground is really wet you can feel a little tingle picking up the worms.

[Stefan-A]

..and no insurance company in the world is going to pay up if something goes wrong and I wonder how well these instructions will work in a 220-240V country..

[ATNGUY]

I totally agree that one should be careful. My guess is that big pet pythons are a greater risk, however. Heck, picking up salmonella or some other bacterium from all the feeding and handling we do is probably more hazardous.

Plug the extension cord into a GFI outlet if you are concerned.

For all the Europeans.....get a shovel, or try the pitch fork or wooden dowel trick.

[florian]

Hello,
i used the electricity method (octet method) to cast out earthworms for my master thesis a couple of month ago. As you can see it looks a bit different. The needels are about 50 cm (19,69 in) deep into the soil and the electricity circles around always on two opponent needels.
I think this method works best with earthworms living on or near the surface. The deep digging species often escape to the subsoil.
Florian

[infernalis]

..and no insurance company in the world is going to pay up if something goes wrong and I wonder how well these instructions will work in a 220-240V country..

Now that would make an interesting eulogy at the funeral......

The worms would be well done

Anyone remember the hot dog cooker that passed live current through the hot dog?? The resistance of the meat would cook it. However it made the dogs taste bad.

Here is another method to extract worms, crude yet effective

[Aundrea]

Thanks ATNGUY. I think ill have my bf do this for me cuz im a big clutz and knowing me ill shock myself and something will go wrong LOL.

Wayne your funny!!! Just think how many worms we would get by using your method LOL

[reptile3]

That looks like my front yard.. ha ha I have a huge sink hole getting bigger everyday. Antguy, thanks

Here is another method to extract worms, crude yet effective

[sschind]

If you are that concerned you can use a 12 volt car battery. I watched someone do it when I was in high school. It may not be as effective as a 120 volts but it does work.

Oh yeah, and Matthew Broderick used it on the Chernobyl earthworms in one of the Godzilla flicks.

[Jack Neary]

Now that would make an interesting eulogy at the funeral......

The worms would be well done

Anyone remember the hot dog cooker that passed live current through the hot dog?? The resistance of the meat would cook it. However it made the dogs taste bad.

Here is another method to extract worms, crude yet effective

Wayne,
You're too damn funny! My neighbors would not be suprised if I did this to find worms.
(they laugh at me when they look out their back window in the morning seeing me dig around for worms in my boxers.... LOL)
Regards,
Jack

[Lori P]

Jack? Could we get a picture of that? LOL