Sow bugs and ants in worm bin - Help!

17 years ago

Hi everyone! Hoping for your help and wisdom.

My worm bins are now full of sow bugs and I can't seem to get rid of them. I have tried picking them out but there are too many and I never get all of them and then next time there are a bunch again. I tried using a little diatomaceous earth on top because this works in the garden, but didn't seem to help (maybe the moisture)and am worried that the spiky stuff may harm the worms. The sow bugs are eating the worm's food and the worms seem to try to keep away from the them so am worried they aren't getting enough food.

Also have had a problem with ants on and off - hundreds of them. Make it very hard to feed and care for the worms. Read it was an acidity problem and sulphur would help. Not sure if it was that or the moisture and cold (raining lately) but seems to be better at the moment.

Advice? suggestions?

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Comments (4)

eggle
17 years ago
I don't really worry about the sow bugs. They are a natural inhabitant of the composting process. You'll always have more critters in your worm bins than just the worms. I'm not sure how big sow bugs are into digging, I ways just see them under a solid object, so I would make sure I am digging the food into spots in the bin. I know I have sow bugs, but I give enough food for both, and place it in the bin in different ways, either top feeding or buried.

As for the ants. I know there is something that you can add, like you mentioned, but just making sure the soil is damp, can keep them from digging in. They may still roam the surface, but they don't want to drown in the normal dampness a bin should be in. Remember spongy conditions for the worm, and your worms should be fine from ants.
j_dubyak
17 years ago
Sow bugs are great in worm bins. They help break up tougher material and can process stuff the worms won't touch. I actually added them to my indoor bin.

Worm bins are like mini ecosystems and like any ecosystem there are many players all doing different jobs and working together (hopefully) in harmony. Sow bugs can be a very valuable player, and I think they earn their keep in a worm bin. Plus, I think they're sort of cute.
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sbryce_gw
17 years ago
I put a few sow bugs in my indoor bin, and they all escaped. I don't know why. They need to moist environment to breathe,

Sow bugs break down the cellulose (paper, cardboard, leaves) that usually takes a long time to break down in a worm bin. The biggest problem I have with them is that they don't seem to want to stay put, and I find dead sow bugs on the floor.
j_dubyak
17 years ago
To be honest I don't know if mine are still around. I know for a long time (several months) after I threw some in, I'd see them scurrying around on the top layer, including babies, so I know they made it a home for a while but I honestly don't know if they are still in there.

I seems like they couldn't find a better home anywhere inside my house and it should be plenty moist for them in there, but maybe they have other priorities.

At any rate I enjoyed their service for as long as they were in there and consider them welcome guests any time they want to make an appearance.