How deep do I have to dig to find worms?
Robert Miller
Updated on May 22, 2026
When the soil is warm and dry, or too cold, worms will bury themselves up to 16 feet underground. What is this? Worms are nocturnal, preferring to stay hidden in their burrows in the daytime. They feed at night so will be more active after dark, wriggling around near the surface to find composting plants to eat.
How deep are worms in the ground?
They burrow during the day—typically keeping close to the surface—capable of digging down as deep as 6.5 feet.Where is the best place to dig for worms?
Where will you find earthworms? They're in garden soil, vacant lots, lawns, parks, or pastures. A cool, moist fall day or evening is a great time to look for worms. Humid days before rains, or during rain showers are especially good for collecting worms.How do you get worms to come to the surface?
6 Ways to Get Earthworms to Come to the Surface
- Electrocute Them With a Car Battery.
- Grunt for Them With Wood and Metal.
- Coax Them Out of the Ground With Water.
- Soap Them Out of the Ground.
- Irritate Them Out of the Ground With Mustard Powder.
- Catch Them Under Wood or Cardboard.