Field trails were conducted at two locations at the Main Research Station, UAS, Dharwad during October - December (Winter, 1994). to know the effect of mulches on the activity of African Night Crawler, Eudrilus eugeniae and vermicompost production under open field conditions. Earthworms were more effective in the presence of thick mulch cover vis-a-vis composting beds with no mulching. Among the various mulches tried, sugracane trash proved to be an excellent mulch with highest population growth (2188.6 and 1904.8) and biomass production (2333.10 and 2748.40 g) and vermicompost production (51.11 and 41.40 g) in black and red soils profiles respectively. Paddy straw and gunny cloth as mulch covers proved to be the next best mulches. The least amount of biomass (713.60 and 454.70 g.) was observed with significantly less production of vermicompost (8.90 and 6.10 kg) in composting beds without mulch.