Comments on: How Many Worms Is Enough?

By: Bentley

Bentley — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:46:03 +0000

Hi Patrick,
I don’t have any systems with really high densities of worms at the moment. Over time (assuming you don’t remove some worms to sell or stock another system) the population to adjust itself based on available space and food.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:25:15 +0000

Hey Bentley,

Wondering how things are going now with the dense concentrations.

By: Marion Byrd

Marion Byrd — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:22:10 +0000

Great article, I was curious about using a larger amount of worms for my boxes to increase their population. I’m wanting to sell vermicompost produce by my Red worms and Euros for bait.

May your bins and boxes thrive everyone.

By: Sherry

Sherry — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:16:08 +0000

“An entire worm population could literally be started with a single (viable) cocoon if you didn’t mind waiting! Hey, that sounds like an interesting experiment!”

LOL………I sense updates on a new experiment in the near future!!!

By: Bentley

Bentley — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:56:36 +0000

Sounds good Sherry – I’d recommend adding lots of shredded newsprint or cardboard bedding as well. These seem to help stimulate reproduction.

Susan – you are certainly right, and you seem to be one of the “patient” people who enjoys taking your time with vermicomposting.
An entire worm population could literally be started with a single (viable) cocoon if you didn’t mind waiting! Hey, that sounds like an interesting experiment!

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:00:03 +0000

There seem to be multiple definitions for ’starting small’. I went to a workshop that started us each off with 1 oz of worms in a plastic planting pot that probably holds about 3/4 of a gallon. I splurged and got 3 oz. It was slow going, but 7 months later I have more than a pound. They still don’t eat everything I produce, but that will come. I guess I’m doing the ‘minimalist’ and ‘frugal’ style of vermicomposting. I’ve been able to start 4 friends with a few oz. each along the way. I can easily tolerate giving away a few oz. I wouldn’t want to give away a half a pound.

Cut the top off of a plastic container for a gallon of milk and poke a few holes in the bottom. Set on an old plate or folger’s can lid and lay another lid over the top. When it’s that small, the other critters can’t take over before the worms are established.

By: Sherry

Sherry — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:57:55 +0000

Hi Bentley,
I took all of the worms out of my bin with the mites (they’re relieved!) and put them in another. I then took a chunk of styrofoam and divided my bin some more. There should be a huge difference now in future population, now! And they don’t have to wander to look for someone when they get the urge!

By: Bentley

Bentley — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:58:50 +0000

Wow – this really seems to be a popular topic of discussion. Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts.

Jill – you’ve made some excellent points! When someone is thinking about starting up their own worm farming business I almost always recommend starting small (although starting small in that case could mean 5 lbs of worms instead of 100 lbs). Great to hear that you were able to build your population up like that. Should be interesting to see how many worms you have by NEXT year!

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:29:49 +0000

I started with one pound of worms last August in a small home made bin and estimate I have around 10-12 pounds now in a wigwam.

The great thing I found by starting small was it gave me lots of time to plan and research what was best to do next. I am starting a small business for castings, and my slow moving worms gave me plenty of time to take classes, talk to others, read books about it, etc., etc.

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:54:14 +0000

I started a small worm bin about two months ago with a small container and not too many worms (around 1 lb). I have been disappointed with their slow progress and keep rooting for them to reproduce since they’re not keeping up with how much I am feeding them. I didn’t realize how much food waste I was throwing out before but it is a lot more than I thought! I haven’t noticed any odors or other problems (besides some ants) so I have been just letting them be. I think your post convinced me to just buy more worms to get the results I want!!