Worm Composting

[sjagodzi]

Hello - I recently started my worm composting bin in my basement. For the most part it seems like I"m doing things right but everytime I check the bin (about every other day) there are anywhere between 5 and 15 worms at the top. I have also noticed that some are jumping ship, so to speak! They are on my basement floor. I have barely added any water and the bedding is moist but not too wet. I feed them food periodically as I should be doing...I am just not sure what I should do to troubleshoot more so if anyone has any ideas, I welcome them!

[goldfinches]

How many did you start with? I always see a few on top of every pile in my bin, but I would estimate I have probably 30,000. I figure they're just coming up for some air

I only wat the shredded newspaper when I set up a new bin. After that, I let the scraps I add keep it moist.

Mine also escape through the breathing holes, I'm not sure you can prevent that. They get curious and explore, then can't find their way back. Di you have your bin pierced with enough holes? Every side and the bottom? Is it up off the floor?

[MissMommyNiceNice]

It's time for both of you to start a second bin. They do need some space, and if they are jumping ship, you need to start a new one or set some free in your garden. At least, that's according to Worms Eat My Garbage.

[Epona]

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[sjagodzi]

I started with 1000 worms - I do think i have enough air circulation and the bin is up off the ground....I think I will try another bin...I just didn't get around to it yet. Good to know about not adding more water...wasn't sure about that. I search around and those that are on the bottom seem happy! thanks!

[librarybooks]

if your bin is very new, sometimes the worms get a little confused and leave through the holes just bc they don't know that they live there yet. whenever i set up a new bin, i have always had wanderers the first few days. it usually stops after a week, though.

if your bin is too moist, they might evacuate, too. they can drown, so they go looking for a place that's drier. once a bin has established equilibrium, though, none of my worms have ever gone wandering.

what kind of worms do you have? red w!ggl3rs will not do well in your garden, if you wanted to do a worm reenactment of "free willy." they are manure worms that need high concentrations of rotting material. they don't do well in dirt.

[happyworm]

Worm composting wanderers

Originally Posted by librarybooks

if your bin is very new, sometimes the worms get a little confused and leave through the holes just bc they don't know that they live there yet. whenever i set up a new bin, i have always had wanderers the first few days. it usually stops after a week, though.

if your bin is too moist, they might evacuate, too. they can drown, so they go looking for a place that's drier. once a bin has established equilibrium, though, none of my worms have ever gone wandering.

what kind of worms do you have? red w!ggl3rs will not do well in your garden, if you wanted to do a worm reenactment of "free willy." they are manure worms that need high concentrations of rotting material. they don't do well in dirt.

I agree with Librarybooks. For the first few days of introducing them to their worm composting bins they can run on you. heehee.. The light forces them down into the soil so you might want to consider having some lamp or a little light over the bin so that they will stay in the dirt. Also, you need to check the Ph level of the bin, you'd want to have a Ph of around 7.

You can also read about why worms clim to the top of the bin here.

I hope my post helps you.

[goldfinches]

Originally Posted by MissMommyNiceNice

It's time for both of you to start a second bin. They do need some space, and if they are jumping ship, you need to start a new one or set some free in your garden. At least, that's according to Worms Eat My Garbage.

I don't have the single bin system anymore, I now have a 5 bin tier. They still go up and down, hanging out wherever they feel like it. They can't escape, since there aren't air holes, so I'm not sure if that's what they're trying to do.

I never had more than about 3 escape over a 1 week period, either.