Here is a list of some of the Recyclers and Decomposers you may find in your worm bin, helping to break down and soften the food for the worms. These organisms naturally appear in worm bin due to the organic environment.

Beneficial:

White Worms (Pot Worms)

Beetles

Millipedes                                                     

Sowbugs /Pill Bugs/Roly Polys

Spiders

Springtails

Collembola

White Mites

Nuisance:

Ants

Flies

Maggots

White Mites

Slugs/Snails

Carabid Beetle

Bad:

Red Centipedes

Red Mites

Stirring up the worms in their bin is a bit stressful to the wigglers. In my case, I have no choice but to stir them up when filling a worm order. This gentle disruption in their bedding will slow down their mojo but not kill them. Luckily for worm enthusiasts, the worms and the beneficial microorganisms do most of this work. In a healthy bin the multitude of microscopic critters and worms are aerating by creating pockets of air while they move throughout the soil looking for food. This natural mixing of the soil and air allows the beneficial microorganisms to grow and flourish prior to becoming food for the worms, which in turn help the worms make wonderful vermicompost.

If your bin starts to smell bad, it will be necessary for you to gently stir and aerate their soil in order to keep a healthy, active and thriving community of worms and microorganisms.

The main thing to remember is that worms breathe through their skin and their environment must stay damp/wet. They may take a week or so to adjust to a new home. Generally they will want to escape during the settling in period. I recommend keeping a light on in their new surrounding with the lid ajar on the worm box for a few nights to keep them down in the bed, this should keep them from migrating out as they are very sensitive to light.

A worm box contains many critters once it gets established. Flies are the biggest problem most people deal with periodically. There will always be some flies but an excess of flies is generally caused by over feeding. It is best to underfeed versus overfeeding. I feed my worms once a week with stuff I save up during the week. The appetites of worms change with the seasons; they are not very active in extreme cold or heat and will eat less. My biggest indicator of the wellness of the worms and their soil is my nose. If the box smells bad, there are several things to consider. Is the soil too wet or dry? Is there too much food? Is the soil compacted and need air? Stirring up the soil with a garden fork or spading shovel might help; the worms will survive a little stirring. A healthy worm bin smells like rich and wonderful soil

One very noticeable critter amongst the worms and compost is a tiny earthworm called a Pot Worm (Enchytraeid). It looks like a small piece of string and many people think it is a baby Red Wiggler. Its job is to help break down the food for the Wigglers. A Red Wiggler hatchling looks creamy white to pink. They are nearly transparent, the blood vessel running through its body causes a light pink to red tinge coloring.

It is necessary to use organic substances that will hold moisture, be suitable for the worms to live and function while providing a place to bury garbage. Bedding may include shredded newspaper, shredded office paper, leaf mold, non aromatic sawdust, coconut coir, 2 handfuls of soil and/or compost. This small amount of soil/compost is added to the original bedding, helping to provide grit for the worm gizzard and by adding a diversity of microorganisms, bacteria and fungi necessary for breaking down the food. Be sure to thoroughly moisten the bedding mixture being careful that it is not wringing wet. To be continued--- Earthworm nourishment, plant nutrients…N, P, K and Ca

Worms are available for purchase now at our Worm Farm or Van Winden's Garden Center in Napa. You can start your worm composting system now. It's also time to start pruning your Roses, Fruit Trees and plant seeds indoors. Spring is on it's way. Yipee

DO FEED:

• Coffee Grounds & Filters
• Tea Bags (no staples)
• Egg Shells
• Fruits & Vegetables (fresh or rotten)
• VEGETARIAN Animal Manure
• Natural Fibers (cotton/hemp)
• Cardboard, Shredded paper & Newspaper
• Yard Waste (healthylleaves/clippings)

DON'T FEED:

• Dairy Products
• Meat, Bones
• Oily, Greasy Food
• Glass, Plastic, Metal, Foil, Rubber Bands, Ties
• Glossy Paper, Photographs, Colored Ink
• Diseased Plants, Clippings, Leaves, Ivy

Worms will consume their food more quickly the finer it is chopped up, soft and rotten, covered in microorganisms.