How to Use Electrical Currents to Trap Worms

The common earthworm has been the basic lure used since fishing was invented. Not only are worms plentiful, but fish enjoy eating them. Many commercial worm-catchers find that the easiest way to catch worms is to send an electrical current into the soil. The electrical current stimulates the worms and forces them to move to the top of the soil, where they can be easily caught. This professional procedure is relatively simple for anyone to perform.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Car battery
• Jumper cables
• Bucket lined with paper towels
• 2 metal rods

Instructions

1. Put on your rubber gloves.

2. Place two metal rods into the ground, roughly 4 feet apart. Make sure the soil you are using is moist. If the soil is not moist, use a water hose to moisten it.

3. Attach one of the red ends and one of the black ends of the jumper cable to the car battery. Remember that the red end goes on the positive battery node and the black end goes on the negative battery node.

4. Attach the other red end of the jumper cable to one metal rod.

5. Attach the other black end of the jumper cable to the other metal rod. An electrical current will now be sent into the ground.

6. Wait roughly an hour for the worms to move to the top of the soil.

7. Disconnect the jumper cables from the car battery and the metal rods.

8. Collect the worms, which will most likely be found between the two metal rods, and place them in the bucket. The paper towels will help with insulation.

9. Remove the metal rods from the ground and take off the rubber gloves.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to wear your rubber gloves during the entire procedure, as you will be working with electricity.

References

• Experience Project: How Do You Catch Earthworms?

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish