Comments on: Importance of Monitoring Temperature http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/importance-of-monitoring-temperature/ Red Wiggler Worms, European Nightcrawlers and loads of helpful Worm Composting Information Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:59:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/importance-of-monitoring-temperature/#comment-9343 Bentley Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:03:42 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=219#comment-9343 Interesting - thanks for sharing, Jerry. I think a lot of this comes down to level of experience as well. By now you probably have a really good idea of what to feed them and how often - although tolerating temps of 108 F is pretty impressive for ANY worms in a plastic tub. :shock: Not sure I would use the term "thermoregulate" re: worms since they are cold-blooded, but I'm pretty sure you are simply saying that they will move away from undesirable conditions as needed which is certainly true. B Interesting - thanks for sharing, Jerry.
I think a lot of this comes down to level of experience as well. By now you probably have a really good idea of what to feed them and how often - although tolerating temps of 108 F is pretty impressive for ANY worms in a plastic tub.
:shock:

Not sure I would use the term “thermoregulate” re: worms since they are cold-blooded, but I’m pretty sure you are simply saying that they will move away from undesirable conditions as needed which is certainly true.

B

]]> By: Jerry Gach http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/importance-of-monitoring-temperature/#comment-9300 Jerry Gach Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:40:02 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=219#comment-9300 Hi Bentley, Great topic. In some parts of the country, August can be the hottest month of the year. Here in Sunny California, I maintain hundreds of pounds of Redworms in a non air conditioned building. We occasionally get temps in excess of 108 degrees, and often have temps in the high 90's. All my worms are raised in plastic bins. I have never experienced a die off due to indirect heat. Direct heat is a different matter. If it is 75 degrees outside, and one of my plastic bins gets warm to the touch, I instantly start smelling that sick nitrogen smell of rotting flesh. Yep, it's the start of a mass worm die off. Internal bin temps can be regulated by pocket feeding. The worms can thermoregulate, and either go to the "Hot" food, or stay on the other "Cooler" side. Excessive amounts of rotting food contributes to problems because it limits any "Safe Zone" for the worms to congregate. In my experience, everything in moderation, and everything stays fine. Hi Bentley,

Great topic. In some parts of the country, August can be the hottest month of the year.

Here in Sunny California, I maintain hundreds of pounds of Redworms in a non air conditioned building. We occasionally get temps in excess of 108 degrees, and often have temps in the high 90’s. All my worms are raised in plastic bins. I have never experienced a die off due to indirect heat.

Direct heat is a different matter. If it is 75 degrees outside, and one of my plastic bins gets warm to the touch, I instantly start smelling that sick nitrogen smell of rotting flesh. Yep, it’s the start of a mass worm die off.

Internal bin temps can be regulated by pocket feeding. The worms can thermoregulate, and either go to the “Hot” food, or stay on the other “Cooler” side. Excessive amounts of rotting food contributes to problems because it limits any “Safe Zone” for the worms to congregate.

In my experience, everything in moderation, and everything stays fine.

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