Little buggers are defecting...

19 years ago

Checked the Can O' Worms yesterday and found a wad of worms (alive) floating in the little bowl that catches the leachate.

So, for the first time in the year that I've had this worm thing going, I checked the bottom of the can that catches the leachate. Sure enough, there was a thick layer of worm poop down there, and a pretty significant number of worms.

Hmmm. Maybe that is why the level of castings in the first tray had been slowly sinking...?

The stuff in the bottom was really mucky wet, due to my trying to keep the worms cool this summer. I laid several layers of newspaper on top in a way that would hold water, and poured some water in so it would slowly leak through the paper, theoretically keeping them cool. Well, I figured out that probably wasn't a great idea and quit.

The first level looks okay, and I have been feeding in the second tray for a couple of months. I have lots of babies but the bigger worms seemed to be the ones that went down into the bottom of the can.

BTW, we had a run of 100 degree days here in N FL recently. The can is outside, in the shade.

1. Would the heat cause the worms to go down as far as they can?

2. About a month ago I started getting a lot of army fly grubs. I am used to them being in the compost, but not in my worm bin. Should I be concerned? Get them out?

3. The literature says it takes about a year for a can to be fully operational. It has been a year, and I'm just getting started on the second tray. I started with a yogurt cup full of very small worms. Normal?

Thanks for any help you can offer!!

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Comments (5)

squeeze
19 years ago
1 yes worms will go down in an attempt to find cooler climes, and bigger ones sooner, partly cuz they've had longer to migrate
2 the grubs also cause worms to go down - they don't like them - the grubs are an indication of too wet and rotting organics [as opposed to decomposing]
3 the rate any system works depends on the feeding schedule and moisture management - any system is 'fully operational' as soon as the worms are at work processing as much as they can

Bill
kkelley
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks, Bill. I was beginning to think nobody was going to respond! I was afraid I'd screwed up when I added that extra water...
I've put in a papaya hull to try and attract all the grubs so I can get them out of there. They sure made a nasty mess. The compost now has a layer of stinky goopy grub poop on top...
I don't know whether the worms will 'fix' it or whether I should scoop that part off the top. It has gone so well up til now :(
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squeeze
19 years ago
I'd add some fresh bedding [shredded paper or whatever] and stir it into that top layer to break it up and get some air in - then put an inch or 2 of damp shredded newspaper on top - the worms will take care of it if the grubs are gone

Bill
kkelley
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks again, Bill, for taking the time to help me and others out with problems and gripes. Today I dumped the whole top tray into my other compost pile. There were so many grubs. Putting the papaya hull in did not work... tomorrow I will stir in some paper shreddings to dry things out a bit, and apologize (once more) to my squirmy little babies for making conditions so unhospitable to them.
Live and learn. Again.
napapen
19 years ago
When I give classes, I always suggest the users of the can of worms keep the spigot open so the water doesn't build up.

Penny