What are compost worms?

Compost worms are different from common garden worms that live in soil.

Unlike earthworms, compost worms do not make burrows in the soil, but live in the surface layer (the top 30cm or 12in). They have evolved to eat rotting plant matter on the forest floor, and are perfectly suited to break down organic waste.  Compost worms are generally smaller than earthworms.

Tiger worms (Eisenia foetida), Red worms (Lumbricus rubellus) and Indian blue worms (Perionyx excavatus) are the most common worms used for composting.