You can use window screen for this method if you want. The worms will have no problem getting through the screen mesh.

That's a good suggestion from Boreal Wormer. The window screen is no real barrier to the worms, but does require them to work a bit harder to pass through. Thus, they will tend to remain longer in the "old" material, processing it completely before exerting themselves to move into the newer stuff.

Kelly S

really? the mosquito netting I am using on my Water barrels is not a barrier for the worms? wow. I had no idea they could pass through such a small passage. I have several feet of plastic screen at home if this will work, I don't have to buy anything. I want all the old stuff completely finished anyway, so the wait will not be a problem.
is the net better than 1/4" HW cloth? would the HW cloth have any advantages? and are there any better methods for seperating ALL the worms from the castings?
thanks Boreal Wormer and Kelly S.

I would think the only way to separate ALL the worms is to let the vermicompost age in a container and when it is ALL castings the worms will not live. I have systems that allow the worms to migrate out of the vermicompost, and given enough time MOST of the worms will have left to the fresher food area and the cocoons will have hatched. I then harvest the vermicompost, virtually worm free.