Comments on: Disappearing Worms http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/disappearing-worms/ Red Wiggler Worms, European Nightcrawlers and loads of helpful Worm Composting Information Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:17:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: LuAnn http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/disappearing-worms/comment-page-1/#comment-21682 LuAnn Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:53:24 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/disappearing-worms/#comment-21682 I too am having problems with my red worms. I started a batch of compost over a month+ ago. I added horse and cow manure, leaves, grass clippings, kitchen scraps, etc. When I added my worms (in the middle) they did great for a couple weeks. I did let the pile set for a few before I ventured in there. I got brave and stirred it, adding water and such. I've been stirring it every week, adding water as I go. Today when I added my kitchen scraps I noticed only one worm. I live in NM, it is hot, probably 90's everyday. I also have tons of cockroaches at my place and they have ventured into my compost. Are the cockroaches hurting the worms? My bin is plastic with vents on the side, are the worms climbing out and getting eaten by my robins that have been hanging around? I need help. Do I need to buy more worms?? I too am having problems with my red worms. I started a batch of compost over a month+ ago. I added horse and cow manure, leaves, grass clippings, kitchen scraps, etc. When I added my worms (in the middle) they did great for a couple weeks. I did let the pile set for a few before I ventured in there. I got brave and stirred it, adding water and such. I’ve been stirring it every week, adding water as I go. Today when I added my kitchen scraps I noticed only one worm. I live in NM, it is hot, probably 90’s everyday. I also have tons of cockroaches at my place and they have ventured into my compost. Are the cockroaches hurting the worms? My bin is plastic with vents on the side, are the worms climbing out and getting eaten by my robins that have been hanging around? I need help. Do I need to buy more worms??

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/disappearing-worms/comment-page-1/#comment-7505 Bentley Sun, 08 Jun 2008 05:06:15 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/disappearing-worms/#comment-7505 Hey Alicia, Sorry for the delay responding. I was wondering if the disappearance was a sudden or gradual thing? (could help to narrow down the possibilities). Where was your bin kept? (and what is the temperature of that location?) B Hey Alicia,
Sorry for the delay responding.
I was wondering if the disappearance was a sudden or gradual thing? (could help to narrow down the possibilities).

Where was your bin kept? (and what is the temperature of that location?)

B

]]> By: Alicia http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/disappearing-worms/comment-page-1/#comment-7448 Alicia Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:12:59 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/disappearing-worms/#comment-7448 They are or were rather, red wrigglers. I have a feeling they are dead, although I don't know why they would have died. Any suggestions? Alicia They are or were rather, red wrigglers. I have a feeling they are dead, although I don’t know why they would have died. Any suggestions?
Alicia

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/disappearing-worms/comment-page-1/#comment-7447 Bentley Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:08:14 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/disappearing-worms/#comment-7447 Hi Alicia, What kind of worms were they? I would also be curious to know how long you left them without checking on them? Was it a very gradual disappearance, or were they suddenly gone? Or had you not looked in the bin for quite some time and when you did they were gone? If there were no worms on the floor anywhere, I would definitely say they've died in the bin. Worms decompose very quickly, so it's not surprising that there is no trace of them. As far as adding more worms goes, I would test out some of the material on a small scale first. Also - if the material "smells wonderful" and is well decomposed it may be ready to be used as compost rather than serving as a bedding. B Hi Alicia,
What kind of worms were they?
I would also be curious to know how long you left them without checking on them? Was it a very gradual disappearance, or were they suddenly gone? Or had you not looked in the bin for quite some time and when you did they were gone?

If there were no worms on the floor anywhere, I would definitely say they’ve died in the bin. Worms decompose very quickly, so it’s not surprising that there is no trace of them.

As far as adding more worms goes, I would test out some of the material on a small scale first.
Also – if the material “smells wonderful” and is well decomposed it may be ready to be used as compost rather than serving as a bedding.

B

]]> By: Alicia http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/disappearing-worms/comment-page-1/#comment-7420 Alicia Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:33:07 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/disappearing-worms/#comment-7420 Hi, I have a question as well about disappearing worms. I started my worm bin about 3 months ago, and in beginning was way overfeeding it. So, i let it sit for awhile and have been checking it periodically and dampning it and such. Unfortunately, I cannot find one worm inside my bin anymore. I know they did not escape because I live in an apartment and have cleaned and checked around the area. When I open the worm bin there are some other microorganisms in there, and alot of 'sludge' (I am assuming it is decomposed food) and it smells wonderful and is still damp. Since i am absolutely certain that my worms did not escape, and I have dug to try and find some at this point, is it possible that I killed them and they decomposed too? If so, is it safe to add more worms. It just smells so good in the bin (just like damp earth) I can't imagine it not being hospitable? Thanks. Alicia Hi,
I have a question as well about disappearing worms. I started my worm bin about 3 months ago, and in beginning was way overfeeding it. So, i let it sit for awhile and have been checking it periodically and dampning it and such. Unfortunately, I cannot find one worm inside my bin anymore. I know they did not escape because I live in an apartment and have cleaned and checked around the area. When I open the worm bin there are some other microorganisms in there, and alot of ’sludge’ (I am assuming it is decomposed food) and it smells wonderful and is still damp. Since i am absolutely certain that my worms did not escape, and I have dug to try and find some at this point, is it possible that I killed them and they decomposed too?
If so, is it safe to add more worms. It just smells so good in the bin (just like damp earth) I can’t imagine it not being hospitable? Thanks. Alicia

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