Help! I’m trying to start my own "worm farm" to make composted soil but when I took the lid off the bucket I
but when I took the lid off the bucket I noticed fruitflies and MOULD and the soil was really really getting wet. Will this hurt the red wigglers and if I take the lid off will they ESCAPE? Should I just leave them to do their thing? Should I cover the pail with dark cloth instead?
Do the worms create more moisture? ( the initial soil I used was a little damp) and how often should I split the worm population?
You need to look up raising worms. I always thought that you used a two layer. screen bottomed box that the air can get it.. and put shredded paper in it with a little soil. drop you compost from the kitchen in it for them to eat.. if they get to wet they will die and rot. that is where you fruitflies are coming from i would imagine.. the fresh droppings from the worms will go down in to the second tray and drop through into a box underneath. you will have to keep giving them fresh shredded paper and keep them supplied in compost.. to make this work. do not put meat in with it.
Your trays should have a lid to keep the worms in. if the paper drys out get a spray bottle and keep it a little bit damp..
you should have very good compost coming up soon but get them out of that wet bucket or you will lose them all..
just my opinion ..
search the web for raising red worms.
didn’t you get instructions when you got them..?
this is what i would do anyway.. always wanted my own compost makers.
let me know how it works for you?
Worm Compost – Worms Escaping?
I have a worm compost that I am trying to start, and my worms are trying to escape! They have been trying for a while, but it was just a few ( like 10 per day). This morning, however, there were two HUGE clumps of them near the top of the bin. Fewer were trying to escape through the drainage holes in the bottom. I did notice that it looked like little particles of sand had spilled through the bottom, and I did not put any sand in the bin, so I am concerned about them. I recently had to re-start my bin because it had become infested with fruit flies to the point where their eggs were everywhere and it was very bad. I got that figured out, and re-started the bin with fresh newspaper and some dirt etc. Maybe the sand came from the dirt, as our soil is rather sandy. They aren’t eating the banana peels that I put in there for them (literally, there were no worms on them this morning, and I put them in two nights ago) and they were all at the top of the bin.
What am I doing wrong?
If you are not using Red Wiggler worms, that could be your problem. Different types of worms have favorite foods and habitats and Red Wigglers are definitely the best worms for composting. The most significant characteristic of Red Wigglers is that they like it dark and they hate the light, so during the day, they are going to want to stay in the bin. Some other worms are accustomed to light, so they may feel free to leave. Red Wigglers also have an ideal digestive system for composting.
I have heard that occasionally Red Wigglers will even try to escape when they are first put into a new environment (usually after being shipped), but they settle down quickly. You can try keeping a light on at night until the problem subsides.
I wouldn’t worry about the sand – it will actually help the worms digest what they eat. If you didn’t cut up your banana peels, try that. Worms will eventually eat it, but they do like smaller pieces.
Good luck.
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Do you have a compost heap, worm farm or both?
It makes such a difference to the garden – I can’t believe people would put their kitchen and green waste in the garbage (obviously unless you live in an apartment)
Yes I have both however I also have an extra that I call my ‘Garden Soup’. Garden Soup consists of a large bucket with a lid filled to the brim with ALL your green waste, bulbs – yes onion weed bulbs and oxalis all go into the bin. Fill with water and let it sit for about a week or so, your nose will tell you when this is ready. Smells just like fresh horse manure. You may need to water this down a bit, me – I just water it on straight. My household only puts our garbage bins out once per month. You should see my garden, and I live in Qld. We are on Level 3 water restrictions- bucketing only.
Oh…some people don’t know that you do not put dairy and or meat products in your compost.
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Help! There are worms coming from my compost bin, why is this happening and how can i fix it!?
We have a closed/animal proof compost bin outside in our backyard. This is our first time composting, so we’re newbies. We haven’t had any problems with it until lately we’ve been noticing black worms in our backyard! Now, especially that it’s raining, they’re everywhere!! What is going on?!
edit: i think these worms are actually "black soldier fly larvae" either way, what should i do to get rid of these pests?!
You want worms in your compost, they help break it down.
You only get magots if you add animal products like meat or fat.
You don’t want that in a compost anyway, they tell you not to add that kind of stuff.
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Worm Composters Vs Compost Tumblers?
Which is the most efficient composting way?
I’ve been researching this question myself and ended up choosing worm composting. A compost tumbler if filled completely with a good mix of ingredients and regular tumbling can be one of the quicker methods of generating compost. There were several reasons that I didn’t choose this method: 1) I would need two tumblers, because once it is full, you can’t add anything until it is done composting. I don’t have room for two. 2) It requires more effort as spinning it needs to be done at least every few days. 3) A tumbler doesn’t really go well on my small porch and for sure not in the house. Oddly enough, worm bins can do so easily.
I ended up choosing the Worm Factory 360 even though I know you can make your own bins if you are so inclined. So far the worms (Red Wigglers) are quiet and have no odor and require almost no attention. In about 3 – 4 months I should have some nice compost in my bottom tray and then I should have a tray ready about once a month or so after that. I can add food and paper waste to it any time and it can go for up to a month without any attention, so vacations won’t be a problem.
Either one is a great choice, but one way will probably fit your needs better. Good luck!
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Has anyone used the ‘Worm Factory’ compost bin?
I’m thinking about buying it, but I’d like to know if it’s easy enough for beginners to start with. What is the maintenance like? Is it hard to keep the worms alive?
Thanks so much!!
Haven’t tried that but have been raising worms in a plastic storage bin. If the bin you are looking at is expensive, I don’t think it would be worth it. It is not hard to do yourself if you have a drill. The bin needs plenty of air holes and plenty of shredded newspaper, some shredded leaves and some kitchen waste chopped into small pieces. You need to start with very moist but not soggy paper and leaves in the bin. Add the veggie/fruit bits. Let it compost like that for a couple of weeks and then put the worms down in under some of the bedding. That is about it. Just don’t keep them too wet or too dry or put in too much food at one time so that they can’t handle it. From time to time you add more paper and more food for them. They also like wet shredded cardboard. There are a number of sites you can find where they describe how to make your own worm bin. Have fun with your worms!
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Witch worm is better for composting Eisenia Fetida or Lumbricus Rubellus?
Definitely Eisenia Fetida-that’s what I have!
http://www.nyworms.com/redworms.htm
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Worm composting for a better environment
I am interested in helping the environment and am looking into worm composting for all my kitchen scraps, but I live in an urban setting & honestly don’t have any use for the final product. Any suggestions?
Have you thought about window boxes for a herb garden?
or perhaps small vegetables?
or contacting the parks department, or a local nursery?
Perhaps a Co-worker has a garden, and you could trade your compost for a few vegetables.
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Is a slow worm likely to be in my garden?
Is a slow worm likely to be in my garden?
How can I find out if there’s one or not if I haven’t actually seen it?
PS. I live in Southeastern UK.
My gardens are about 15×8m approx.
I have a compost heap
If you have a compost heap and a pond and your garden has a good variety of plant life you may have slow worms, unfortunately the chances are slim as the introduction of decking into gardens has decreased the snake and slow worm population, as has the low maintenance garden ie no grass no compost heap and no ponds= no reptiles.
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Ok how to i KEEP earthworms alive outside in compost bins?
mY 4 OTHER bro and sis me and my mom and my dad produce 10 pounds of organic kitchen scraps every 2 days i have 4 large compost bins 2 are full with worms 1 is about to be full and the other hasnt started yet how do i keep the worms alive in the bin over the winter? SHould i digg holes the sizes of the 2 worm bins and bury them keeping the compost warm wut should i do? Hopefully up here in new york brooklyn we have like the last 2 winters sorta warm !!!!!!!! plz tell me how how how?????????????????????????
Believe it or not, worms have survived for millions of years without our help. They’ll most likely survive the next, also. They will just do what worms always do in the winter.
If you have the space indoors, you can set up some worm bins so that you can still compost your kitchen scraps. Worms will consume 1/2 their weight in kitchen scraps every day.
Check out the link below for an inexpensive worm bin system. We have one in our house and there is never any odor from it.
Visit our website for more gardening ideas at-
http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.com/
Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!