Let me explain what I send...
Worm bin habitat & castings are the medium the worms are shipped in - it is moist and has all the beneficial symbiotic organism that help the worms feed; this mix will help the worms settle into their new habitat when you receive them. I have been adding beneficial nematodes in as a natural way to combat bin creatures that seek to invade, they are harmless to worms.
Cocoons or worm eggs each contain 2-7 baby worms - there will be cocoons in the mix but I don't sift for them. My bins are heavily populated so the habitat contains ample eggs. During different times of the year there are more or less.
Wisps or threads are tiny baby worms that you can barely see, they are small, white and "wispy" and they will be plentiful in the mix.
Redworms's of different stages - there will be lots of small worms with some medium size ones as well... they will grow and reproduce quickly. Many of the medium size worms you will see already have the ring and ready to reproduce.
The grow guide is a .pdf manual I send to you by email that has instructions and links to video tutorials I put together to help you set up your bins...
The Red Wiggler is a great worm - they can dismantle just about anything you throw at them. In terms of making compost and breaking down waste they are most impressive. They are phenomenal in their growth and reproduction rate and I think you will be pleased if you try the mix out. It doesn't take a lot to get going with these guys. I started with a few nursery pots of redworm compost from a next door neighbor and in a few months had more than I could manage.
Packages weigh right at 16 ounces and will contain many breeders along with cocoons, wisps and other smaller worms. Each cocoon averages about 2-7 worms and by the time the second or third generation of worm comes from your mix you will have a veritable population explosion as these guys can lay 2-3 cocoons per week. DO THE MATH! It will take a hatchling about 8 weeks to become breeding size. The smaller worms in the mix that you can see that have no ring will be ready within a week or two.
1 Year Unconditional Guarantee - if you order the mix and are unable to produce as many worms as you need, simply let me know I will send you another batch, simply help me with the cost of shipping... I'm confident you can do it!
Temps need to be conducive for shipping - I don't really suggest you have me send them if lows be less than 30 degrees. If you want you can order and I can hold them until there is open window to ship them safely...
The worms are shipped in their natural habitat which will have all the beneficial micro-organisms that they co-exist with. That having been said, certain times of the year other soil dwelling insects may be more or less present in the mix. They are perfectly harmless.
From my observation the nematodes have eliminated just about everything with the exception of mites and a small beetle. They themselves are quite beneficial to the breakdown of organic material but for people trying to compost strictly indoors in living areas they can be seen as a nuisance but they are really no trouble and do not leave the composting environment.
If you want to eliminate and/or reduce the numbers of other insects I have provided information for that in the manual that comes with the order.
Special Note PLEASE READ
My #1 Goal is to get your worms to you quickly and ALIVE! When you bid a post-auction email will be sent to your PAYPAL address. If you haven't heard from me in 24 hours please contact me on eBay. In it will be instructions for everything. Worms cannot be left in a hot mailbox for an extended period so you need to make sure you get them.
You can also instruct the USPS to leave the package at a predesignated area that you select, like a porch, a neighbors house, the bushes, etc. - preferably the area will be a safe, shady place where the worms can comfortably rest until the package is in hand. The post-auction email will give you instructions on easily setting up a predesignated "leave-at-location" area if you want to do that...