Does anyone compost with pot worms?

9 years ago

I went to use my compost last week. I saw a bunch of pot worms in there. Could I compost with a bunch of pot worms or are they bad to have in such high volumes?

My compost is an old plastic garbage can with drilled holes all around and drainage on the bottom. I fill it with soil and dump in green leafy vegetables, coffee ground, and any other leftover vegetables in large gallon zip lock bag in it.

Featured Answer

theparsley

9 years ago

I have never heard of pot worms being used for composting. They are probably too small and not productive enough of good castings. As a part of the mix they're not a problem, but I can't see using them as a primary means to produce castings. I do see references to people raising potworms to feed to tropical fish and maybe lizards (?) and such, but I don't know how many castings result from that.

The sources always say that potworms in a worm bin are indicative of conditions that may be too moist and acidic, so you might consider improving the drainage on your composting container.

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Comments (8)

Ariel (Zone: 7b)
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I don't compost for the casting. I dump everything in the garbage can and wait for it to breakdown. Then I put them in pots or in the garden.
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11otis
9 years ago
Might be a good idea to start adding some paper/cardboard to it too.
Ariel (Zone: 7b)
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I added some this time. I don't really have much. I try to put some leaves and brown paper bags when I have in it. Those are things that I try to take instead of them being thrown in the trash. There are some egg cartons that look like they could be composted. Might try to get those to add to it.

This time though I may layer them and then put about 6 inches to 1 foot of soil on top and plant a few tomatoes in the garbage can. Its fine if it takes a long time to break down.
11otis
9 years ago
Egg cartons are very good.
Emily Leuba
9 years ago
I am assuming this is an outdoor bin? Do you get maggots? Just curious as I would like a larger composting area outside but I am not planning to use worms. I just wonder if scraps will attract maggots and other pests (ants, centepides, etc). I would think with a tight-fitting lid it might work? Thoughts?

I think that it gets too hot here in the summer for wigglers to thrive outside. I live in Maryland and it's already in the 90's.
Ariel (Zone: 7b)
Original Author
9 years ago
I had maggots, pilworms, earthworms and other bugs in it. No lid and outdoors
theparsley
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It depends on where the outside compost is. If it's on the ground (and isn't hot compost) it will have worms in it whether you put them there or not! - and lots of other things besides. Even if it's not directly on the ground, worms may find their way in. An outdoor bin tends to have more, err, biodiversity, but most of those beings aren't "pests" in outdoor compost.

I have an outdoor worm bin that is well sheltered from the sun on my patio, and there are all manner of slugs and fungus gnats and other things in there that I wouldn't like in my indoor bin, as well as at least one species of feral city worms that are not red wigglers and that found their way in. I'm not concerned because vermicompost from this bin doesn't come back in the house.