redhen
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A Protected Species Earthworm
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Re:Restating worm farm - 2008/03/27 21:18
Some of the worms (about 10-15 a day) get into the bottom water collection tray. I just move them to the top, but is that normal? Are the worms looking for food? The worm factory suggested 3 layers of newspaper on the bottom. I did that but the worms still get though.
There are almost always worms down in that collection tray. They either cruise or fall down there and then there is no pathway back up. I would keep some shredded paper in that tray and then if it takes you some time to actually look down there, they have some place to live and something to eat.
The only time to concern yourself with worms in the collection tray, is if you were to see 100's of them. That would tell you that there is something very wrong in you working bin.
Also the moisture in the bin is a question for me. I have heard of the squeeze test but I'm not sure about it. Some people say look for a drop or two from a handful of bedding and some people say a drop or two from a pinch of bedding. It also appears to me to depend on the type of bedding you are squeezing as to the amount of water that will come out.
Okay..well I suggest erring on the side of dryness in any plastic bin.
The only time I add damp paper is when I start a bin. The damp paper has not one drip. It is like the clothes you might take out of your washing machine before it goes in the dryer.
When the paper bedding needs to be added to, I add dry paper shreds.
Not only is your bin draining, but moisture evaporates, condenses on the lid and rains back down on your bedding.
If you keep adding damp paper, you will end up with a very wet bin. (Great for mites and all things acidic..not so much your worms.)
Post edited by: redhen, at: 2008/03/28 22:01
Susan Quinby-Honer
redhen@nc.rr.com
Starve the Landfill...Feed the Earth. |
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