I just had corn husks/silk saved and thought of using it for bedding when I realized it has pesticides in it and might kill the worms. I'm just getting everything ready to start. I'm thinking of worms as organic composting, which I think might be a good idea when it comes to worms.

Abby, definitely don't want any pesticides in my bin, so no more corn silk - I don't think they're going to miss it anyway.

Harry

Could the pesticide be washed away, maybe?

How long did you give it to break down? I don't think corn silk would have the immediate tastiness of corn kernels, not being the sugary part, but there's no reason it won't break down a little later.

Parsley, I put it in fresh about 1 week ago. Where it wasn't covered with castings or damp bedding it has mostly broken down. The worms have ventured into it a little bit but don't seem too interested. Chalk it up to another learning experience I guess. No harm done.

Harry

So it will get processed on a time line more similar to plant stems than to corn kernels. That makes sense. I imagine there is a fair amount of cellulose in corn silk.

For seun: Pesticides can go thru many layers

What are these hypothetical pesticides that worms turn up their noses at, but which are found on corn sold for human consumption?

I don't think any pesticide can be washed away because it gets into the cells of the plant and would be transferred that way to your worms. Also it can transfer from their compost to the soil. Tomato seedlings planted in organic soil which had traces of pesticide from somewhere caused distorted leaves according to UC Davis this year.

in the meantime Ally the Alligator Lizard and Snakie, the black racer have again moved into one of my worm bed. We no longer scream when we meet. I can't figure out how they manage to get in!! Yesterday Ally hid his head under something so I rubbed his tail. That was very unwelcome!! I have also touched Snakie's tail and then he moves.

I'm getting everything ready for the worm box. Worm food I freeze. I wish I could get out to do things like normal people with legs but I'm in power chair and have a screened in porch area but might have to bring box indoors during Ga winter. Trying to gather as much info as I can before starting.

Hi, when you do get your box ready don't put all that food in after putting in the worms - just a little to get them use to the box. Yes you can keep it in the house, in the Ca state capital building there are worm beds under desks for their fruit left overs. I have never freezed my food for worms.

Greenies are shipping organic foods protected by recycled burlap in plastic sacks. I am experimenting with it now as mulch on the compost pile.