Nightcrawlers come out at night, when the grass is wet with dew, or after it rains, while earthworms are typically found in compost or under other debris. Earthworms can grow up to an inch in length, and are widely used for worm composting because the casings they excrete are great fertilizer for gardens.

What month do nightcrawlers come out?

On cool spring or autumn evenings, just after dusk, nightcrawlers will emerge from their burrows to rest on the surface of the soil and seek mates. This is the best time for catching nightcrawlers. These prolific creatures can often be collected by the thousands on a good night in some areas.

Why do nightcrawlers come out when it rains?

Oxygen diffuses easily through air, and the soil stays aerobic because oxygen comes in from the surface.” But after a rain, the soil pores and the worm burrows fill with water. ... “The worms can't get enough oxygen when the soil is flooded, so they come to the surface to breathe.”