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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum
skmurph76
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A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 2
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 Worm Trouble, Please help? - 2008/08/18 16:36 Hello, I apologize for the detailed posting. I would greatly appreciate any advice on the following:

I have been worm composting for about a year now and use the "worm factory" system (four feeding trays that stack on one another with a bottom funnel tray to trap liquid that pours out of a spout). My worms have been very happy and reproducing regularly with regular feeding and newspaper additions up until a few weeks ago. Over the past few weeks my worms have been fleeing the bottom two trays (even though the food is not gone). They have been bunching up densely around the edges of the trays and even moving into the lower tray and drowning in the liquid (only about a 1/2 cup of liquid is there) which smells horrible (see pictures). They live in our garage this time of year (about 65-78 F), I have aerated the trays, and the bedding it not too wet so my only thought is the bedding it too acidic? I've tested the pH and my reader only reads it to be between 6-7 (not very precise instrument though). The only change to the worm conditions is that I've been adding a lot more office and paperboard type paper to their bedding. We have limited paper recycling where I live, so I've been trying to feed them all of my paper (shredded) but without any glossy, waxed, or magazine paper and with plenty of food also (about a 1:1 ratio). Where as, previously I gave them only newspaper. Could this paper change be causing the problem? I have mixed in about 1/2 cup to each tray of Dolomite Lime (50% calcium carbonate, 40% Magnesium carbonate) to raise the pH about two days ago because I haven't been able to find pure Calcium carbonate. There doesn't seem to be any change. They are still very unhappy. Will this mix harm my worms or should I keep adding it? Is there anything else you advise trying? Should I stop feeding them until it balances out? I don't want to lose my happy worm colony. Thank you. Shannon
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vermiman
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A Mature Breeder Earthworm
Posts: 93
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 Re:Worm Trouble, Please help? - 2008/08/18 21:40 Could the exodus of worms be population control. My worms are in sterlite bins. When they start to get overcrowded I see more wanderers on the sides and lids. It's Black Gold!! It's Squirmy Tea!!

John 3:16
Acts 2:21
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WFike
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 224
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 Re:Worm Trouble, Please help? - 2008/08/18 22:52 I would get some new bedding started with damp newspaper and cardboard and move all the worms I could into it in a new bed like a washtub or something. Sprinkle a little chicken feed or laying mash on top and wait until it is gone before feeding any more. If worms have good bedding they can do without food for a long time as they eat the bacteria that feed on the bedding. Look around in the bed and see if you have any areas where the worms are still confortable and sprinkle some of that bedding around in the new bed to help it get started quicker. When something goes wrong like that I like to just get out and start over with what I know is good for them. Things usually get worse quick when a bed goes bad so why chance it?

Post edited by: WFike, at: 2008/08/18 22:54
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wellsworms
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 511
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 Re:Worm Trouble, Please help? - 2008/08/20 07:26 could it be they are running from heat FEED IT TO THE WORMS
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008
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mikel
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A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 42
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 Re:Worm Trouble, Please help? - 2008/08/30 20:42 I would change the bedding and essentially start over. The ph isn't really bad if your ph meter is correct or even close.

I think I bought my carbonate calcium from worman.com, not completly sure, however.
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WFike
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 224
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 Re:Worm Trouble, Please help? - 2008/08/30 22:14 Any feed store will have or can get calciun carbonate, but you can't just throw a bunch of it in a bed to correct a ph problem. It should be added over time to prevent the problem if at all.
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skmurph76
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A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 2
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 Re:Worm Trouble, Please help? - 2008/08/31 22:15 Thank you all for your advice. I ended up dumping the old compost and starting new beds for my worms with mostly cardboard and newspaper. They are very happy now. I think perhaps they were too hot as someone suggested.

Cheers, Shannon
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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum

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