Problems With White Bugs in a Worm Farm
Although keeping and raising worms is generally easy, at times problems can arise. Usually it is an imbalance in the worm farm -- also known as a worm bed -- causing problems and attracting pests. The problems may be the growth of fungus, a generalized bad smell, or the presence of fruit flies or bugs in the bin. In most cases, the problem can be corrected by making some changes, often small, in how the worm farm is managed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Springtails
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Springtails are small, white or gray insects that jump when disturbed. The worst problem caused by springtails is that they will eat a lot of the worms' food, according to researchers at Texas A&M University. These little pests have also been observed attacking and eating sick or weak worms. If springtails are present in the worm farm, the problem is likely to be either over-feeding or over-watering. Along with cutting back on food and water, expose the worm container to sunlight for several hours and stir the soil to discourage these pests. The addition of calcium carbonate every one to three days helps to reduce acidity and make the soil less suitable for springtails.
Planarium
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A Planarium is a small, white worm that is often found in worm farms. These threadlike creatures may be mistaken for baby worms, but they are actually a separate species. They are not harmful to worms, as far as it is known, but they do rob the worms of some of their available food. The worms are introduced into the worm farm when manure is used as a feed. In most cases, they can be avoided by not allowing any kind of animal manure to be placed in with the worms.
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Potworms
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Potworms, also known as enchytraeids, are another type of tiny worm often found living in worm beds. Although they are related to earthworms, the connection is distant, and they are not desirable to have living with the worms. They don't cause any harm to the worms themselves, but they do consume a great deal of the worms' food, usually resulting in the worms not having enough to eat. If many potworms are present, the soil in the worm bed is most likely acidic. Stir in some calcium carbonate to help lower the acidity. To remove the worms already present, lay a melon skin or some milk soaked in bread on top of the soil. Wait a bit, then lift it out and dispose of it once it is covered with potworms.
Ants
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Ants are a serious problem for worms. If ants get into the worm farm, they may attack and kill the worms. They will also eat the worms' food and often build nests in the soil where the worms live. Stir and moisten the soil to discourage the ants. After this, the ants may be seen moving small white larvae. These are ant larvae, and this is a sign that the ants are relocating. Never use ant poison around worms.
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References
- Texas A&M University Extension: Aggie Horticulture: Home Worm Production
- County of Los Angeles Smart Gardening Information Sheet; Composting With Worms; Keith D. Thomsen; December 2002
- University of Florida IFAS Extension; Culture of Earthworms for Bait or Fish Food; William T. Mason, Jr., Roger W. Rottmann, and John F. Dequine; September 2006
Resources
- Photo Credit worms image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com
