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foggybeach

Sudden Bad Smell, How Long to Improve?

8 years ago

My worm bin (in a plastic tote--European nightcrawlers) that I've had for ten months suddenly started smelling bad. I can't really describe it except to say that it was unpleasant (nauseating)?


I think the bedding had become too deep, too wet, and possibly too full of castings.


I removed some bedding, added holes, lined the bin with dry cardboard, and worked in plenty of shredded newspaper and dry leaves. The moisture level seems right, now.


That was two days ago, and it still smells bad. The worms are plentiful and seem happy.


Will it just take a while for the smell to go away, or is there something else I should do?


Thanks.

Comments (7)

  • 8 years ago

    Don't work it in. Leave dry stuff on top to absorb the odors. Dried leaves are absolutely the best to cover the smell of compost. The effect should be immediate or you don't have enough on.

  • 8 years ago

    Al, I don't remember your set up. Does it have holes at the bottom? Could they possibly be clogged? Harvesting the castings might be a good idea if it's pretty deep. If your worms are still plentiful and looking happy then the smell could be just from too much food and thankfully NOT from dead worms.

    Whenever I had a bin that got too wet, I rolled up corrugated cardboard and bury them chimney-like throughout the bin and change the lining of the walls with fresh/dry corrugated cardboard.

  • 8 years ago

    I added several layers of leaves on the top. It didn't help. The smell is still bad. There are no escapees.


    I added new holes at the bottom.


    Today I did major fluffing, assuming that perhaps an area in the middle of the bottom was anaerobic. The cardboard was pretty wet. I'll replace that.


    Thanks for the help.



  • 8 years ago

    All better now. I think the major fluffing with lots of leaves did the trick. It stopped smelling very quickly.

  • 8 years ago

    UPDATE:


    I put the lid on the bin, and the next morning, the smell is coming back. I fluff, and the smell is gone. Rinse and repeat.




  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    That looks still too wet. Add a thick, thick layer of shredded paper, cardboard or dry leaves. The kind of paper you get from an office shredder is ideal as long as the paper doesn't have plastic in it. I'd add about as much in thickness as there is now, mix it in, and then put a thick, thick layer on top (as much as you can). You really can't have too much bedding. The thick layer of shredded paper will buffer/absorb water slowly, and also block/absorb smells.

    Leave it for a week to let the smells and water get absorbed. Note: you should notice reduction in smell right away for simple reason they won't get through the shredded paper 'filter'. When I say leave it a week, I mean before rooting around in there and seeing if it's improved down in the active part, and before feeding. Start feeding again slowly, by pulling the paper layer away and putting food down there. The paper layer will slowly degrade and decompose, just add more shredded paper from time to time. Don't worry if the thick paper layer is dry, as long as slightly damp below. Be cautious with adding water - for a bin with a tendency to smelliness, too wet is worse than a bit too dry, so err on the side of a bit dry. Food should add enough water, spray the lower levels of paper - lightly - if truly needed.

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