I am going to try blowing light air from under 1/8 filter to see if you can semi-separate them maybe.

Or a black light maybe? I am testing now to see if worms react to a black light.


Jeff

Sorting cocoons by hand has been the truly only effective way i have found. I have 2 boys who do it an hour or two after harvest (depending on the amount as well).

Then If I have time, will then let the compost set and will bait the new hatched worms before we sell it or use it.

I have tried the water method- Gets the compost wet and then it has to dry. Still need to sort after ward- too much trouble for our situation.

Screens size helps but only gets about 1/3 to 1/2.

So I harvest using 1/8 and 1/4 screens. I get some that makes it past the 1/8 screen into 1/4. The bigger sort is the start of a new bin, the boys then pick out what they can from the harvest. I let it go most of the time figuring I get 60-70% of the cocoons.

We sort about 50-100 pounds a week in the season.

I'll share with you a few useful tips I've picked up for the collection of cocoons and moving them from container to container.

When in the field, I will often take a wide but fine paintbrush. Cocoons can then be brushed into waiting containers. I usually then remove the workers (when they are not needed) by hand.

As for moving them individually from container to container, a fine makeup brush will do. The end should be no more than 2mm across. This can be made slightly wet with clean water to first pickup the cocoon, then simply hold the brush in the air over the container you wish to drop it into and simply tap the middle of the brush on the rim or flick it with your finger to drop the cocoon. If the cocoons are not being dropped into a container with workers that will look after them, ensure no excess water is left on the cocoon as they will mould much more quickly if they are damp.