Compost Worms
Red Wigglers what type of worm is that?
Red wigglers, Red Worms, European Red Wigglers and Blue Worms are common names for several red colored composting worms. In Canada these can be 1 of 5 different species that are all surface dwelling compost worms. Each variety has unique features and benefits and all like to co habitat and its often hard to find a single species on its own.
Earthworms are different. They are not surface dwellers and like to make long tunnels in your garden and are usually not found in a high organics environment. Earthworms are twice the size as the red wiggler varieties, but they are both great composters.
Compost Worms favorite foods.
- Most fruit
- watermelon
- apples
- kiwi
- grapes
- Most vegetables
- carrots
- broccoli
- potatoes with the peelings
- Coffee grounds including the filters
- Tea, both loose and in compostable tea bags
Worms..what should they eat?
Do not feed!!
Worms are vegetarians;
- Dairy products
- Meat, cooked and raw
- Oil and fats – if you have put dressing on your salad the left overs can not go to your worms
- Citrus – very limited amounts can be fed. Citrus can make your bin acidic and citrus oils are harsh on the worm’s skin
- spicy onions and hot peppers. like citrus the hot oils can burn the worms skin.
Under ideal conditions worms can consume 1/2 their body weight a day in organics. Food scrapes can be added whole, chopped, or puree. The softer the organics, such as melons versus carrots, the faster the worms will compost it.
There are those who freeze their organics first, thaw and feed.
Any which way you choose to prepare the organics there are just a few things to remember.
- Bury the organics to help keep them out of the fruit flies reach.
- Do not over feed, wait until the previous organics are mostly consumed.
Temperature
- Can tolerate a wide range of temperatures
- Most productive between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius
- Below 0 degrees the adults will freeze. The eggs however will survive.
- Above 30 degrees can kill both the adults and eggs.
Bin Conditions
- Worms breath through their skin so a moist environment is a must.
- They can drown so with plastic bins keep an eye on potential excess moisture at the bottom.
- They don’t like the light. A lid is not necessary but some time of covering is recommended. screen mesh in summer to help keep out unwanted flying pests, and a traditional loose fitting in lid in winter to keep the moisture in.
- Neutral bedding. crushed/pulverized egg shells help ensure your bin does not become acidic.
Worms are hermaphrodites, which means they can be female and male. However two worms are still required for reproduction.
Worms lay eggs. Yes eggs!
They look like small cocoons and start off a bright lemon yellow and mature in about 3 weeks to a dark brown. Each cocoon can have anywhere from 2 to 7 baby red worms and adults can lay 1 to 2 cocoons per week. It takes about 3 months from the hatch for a compost worm to start reproducing themselves.
Population control? Don’t worry they moderate themselves. Your worm population will continue to grow, based on food availability and the size of their bin.
- Crushed egg shells provide grit and help ensure your bin does not become acidic.
- No more than once per week fluff or turn over your bin. this ensures your bedding does not get compact.
- Drying out? Buy an inexpensive mister to “water” your top layer of bedding.
- Too wet? Place a handful of the dry bedding in the bottom to help soak up the excess moisture.
- Fruit flies? Apple cider vinegar in a bottle with a plastic wrap cover with a few holes poked in placed close by the bin can assist.
- Red mites? you bin is too wet, or too much food.