How to Increase Compost Worms
Once you have an established vermicompost bin you can increase the worm production by monitoring a few key elements such as moisture, warmth, food, darkness and oxygen levels. Worms working in optimal conditions will naturally produce more castings, or worm manure, resulting in a successful worm compost bin. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Compost bin
- Red worms
- Yard waste
- Table scraps
- Compost thermometer
- Water
Instructions
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MOISTURE LEVELS
Since worms breathe through their skin, they need adequate moisture levels in the compost bin to survive and thrive, however too much water can drown the worms. Test the amount of moisture in the pile by simply squeezing the material in the bin; if more than five drops of water comes out there is too much water in the mix according to (Washington State University) The ideal moisture level should be similar to a "wrung out sponge." Worms may leave the container for more a more hospitable environment if the bin becomes too wet or too dry.
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WARMTH
When temperatures get too warm, the worms can become overheated and die, when temperatures are too cool the worms can become sluggish. Encourage casting production by keeping the bin temperature at proper levels.
Monitor the temperature of the bin by using a compost thermometer available at home and garden centers. Keep the bin out of direct sunlight during the summer months and keeping it insulated during the winter months.
Ideal temperatures for worm activity fall between 55 and 77 degrees. "Red Worm Composting: Raising Earth Worms," suggests the way to encourage natural breeding of the worms is to keep the temperatures between 59 and 68 degrees. If you find that the worms breed to quickly you may need to split the worms between two or more bins so there is less competition for food.
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WORM FOOD
Worms process about half their body weight of food in a single day. For every two pounds of worms you add to your bin you'll need one pound of table scraps.
Worms prefer foods that have slightly decomposed to those that are fresh; integrate older food inside the bin by mixing it into the worm bin bedding. Although the worms can eat just about any kind of table scraps, Green Living recommends that you avoid adding citrus fruits since their high acidity can harm worms.
You can't really add too much food to the bin since what is not eaten by the worms will break down naturally. However if the worms have too little food, or too much competition for food they will not be able to produce enough castings, and may leave the bin in search for more food.
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DARKNESS
Worms can not tolerate long exposures to light. Keep the bin covered with a lid and out of sunny areas to promote better compost production.
Worms that are exposed to too much light may actually leave the bins to find more hospitable conditions.
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OXYGEN
Although you will not normally need to turn the bedding as with traditional compost bins, promote proper aeration by drilling some drainage holes in the plastic bin to increase oxygen flow.
Keep in mind that bins with a larger surface area also have better oxygenation than those that are deep. Do not allow the bedding to become matted down with moisture, or the worms will not get enough oxygen.
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Tips & Warnings
If the worms are still not producing castings as quickly as you would like, you can always purchase more worms to add to your compost bin. Remember to increase the amount of food when you add more worms.
When the compost material reaches a rich dark black color it can be removed from the bin and placed in the garden. Too many castings inside the bin can be toxic to the worms.
