Mama's Worm Composting

Worm Bin Critters

One benefit, or at least unexpected experience, of having a worm bin is the introduction of a variety of critters into your life. When I first started worm composting it never occurred to me that I might be dealing with more than just worms in my bin. The first time I saw a helper mite I was horrified, not understanding whether the critter would eat my new red babies alive or simply hang out. Of course, at the beginning of one's first worm composting project the simple process of food breaking down is completely disgusting and sort of horrifying, so the thought of other bugs being part of that process can sort of turn your brain to mush. Over time, however, dealing with a variety of bugs may still make me scream, but they are also good indicators about the health of my system. 

Now don't freak out by this next little part; these are critters I see over 700 square feet of worms in a warehouse and may not represent your personal little worm bin at home. 

Slugs, for example, are gross and trouble-causing as they can actually eat the small worms, but they indicate a healthy system for worms. White mites as well. Rolly polly bugs indicate a healthy, but overly dry, system. Maggots mean I've got some dead worms that are being feasted on by housefly larvae, a problem. Spiders are just inevitable. Mold usually occurs when the food source (usually fresh food) isn't buried appropriately; the worms don't go for it fast enough because it's on the surface and then it starts to mold. Fruit flies or fungus gnats, sadly, mean a healthy system (though I hate them with every fiber of my being and try to kill them at every opportunity). Ants mean the bedding is too dry. 

All of these monstrous critters I've seen and squealed my surprise at over my worm farming ventures. So take a look at the article here, which shows images of a variety of worm bin critters, to familiarize yourself with the possibilities. That way when you someday see an innocent helper mite you won't freak out and dump the whole bin. 

You know, all this time that I've been doing this now, I still yell and scream when I see a spider in the house. And guess who gets called on to kill it? My loving husband. I guess I'll never be TOTALLY desensitized. 

Good worming!

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Let’s Kill More Fungus Gnats

One of my worm composting bins is sadly infested with fungus gnats. It’s hard to say which creatures I hate the most, fungus gnats or fruit flies, but let’s just say they both suck and I want them all dead. Neither species will harm your worms or ruin the resulting worm castings from your worm composting bin. However, they are quite a nuisance to have around, especially for indoor worm composting projects. Nothing makes me angrier than a fruit fly landing in my glass of hard-earned wine at the end of a day juggling worms and screaming children!

Until now, the most effective way of controlling these winged demons has truly been the easiest and grossest method: fly tape. They can’t resist it, and after a few days you will find more flies than you ever knew you had sticking to the tape. So that is step one to getting rid of flies; wrap the edges of your bin with fly tape. I say the edges because when the baby flies crawl up the sides of the bin to take their first flight, they will get stuck on the tape before they ever get the chance to spread their evil little wings.

A few additional methods exist for fungus gnats (though not too many options are available for fruit flies, sadly). I have tried purchasing predatory mites (or “beneficial nematodes”) called Hypoaspis sp. to eat the larvae of fungus gnats. This method, while it was sort-of helpful, was extremely expensive. To get just a small container of these mites will cost you at least $20 (and I have 55 bins of worms to contend with).

Then I read about a bacteria called Bacillus Thuringiensis which is said to interrupt the life cycle of the fungus gnat and kill the larvae. Well, turns out that regular Bacillus Thuringiensis is used to kill caterpillars and will not have an effect on fungus gnat larvae (I found this out after I sprayed my bin, of course). You have to get a special kind of this bacteria called Bacillus Thuingiensis israelensis (who the heck names these things?). So that’s what I did. There is a product called “Mosquito Dunks” and “Mosquito Bits” that contains this bacteria, can be diluted and sprayed. So stay tuned. Hopefully by sometime late next week my worm composting bins will be fly-free. Anyone practicing indoor worm composting will be interested in this one!

Good worming!

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Operation Kill Fungus Gnats

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I do not like fungus gnats. Actually, I wish there were a market for them because they seem to be so easy to breed! Unfortunately, all I can find online is info related to getting rid of fungus gnats, not propagating them. Ah, well...

So, as you may have guessed, my worm compost bin has been once again attacked by the mighty gnat. And once again, just when I think they're under control, back they come. So it is both my personal and professional mission to find a solution to fungus gnats in my worm bins and unwanted winged creatures in general. My worm compost bin, if you remember correctly, is situated in my pantry, and such visitors are most unwelcome. Additionally, many of you will be facing winter months soon enough, which means indoor worm compost bins for y'all. I need to solve these problems for you as well so that your winter composting projects are pleasurable. 

Here is what I've come up with over the weekend as my new approach to keeping pests out of my worm compost bin:

The Vacuum

My old standby, the vacuum, is irreplaceable during any fruit fly or fungus gnat invasion. 

Fly Traps

Of the sticky tape variety are also quite useful, especially when laid directly on top of the bedding in your worm compost bin.

Cinnamon

Yes, cinnamon! I have read that cinnamon is a natural insecticide, and I must say that my initial findings are definitely encouraging. To combat my current problem, I have left the lid off of my bin and generously sprinkled cinnamon all over the top layer. The result? A mass migration of the young flies out of the bin and straight into my vacuum cleaner hose. However, use caution: cinnamon has been used to fight against parasitic worms, like tapeworms, and so the jury is still out about its effect on red worms. I think, however, that sprinkling a bit on the top is unlikely to cause much carnage, and if it does it will only affect the worms in the top layer. Then I can scrape out this layer and also hopefully be free of flies at that point. 

Coffee Grounds

Word on the street is that coffee grounds on the top layer of my worm compost may have a similar effect as cinnamon to keep flies at bay. I am going to start keeping my used grounds in a separate container so that I can sprinkle them on top after each feeding. 

Beer Traps

I have laid several little cups of beer around the house and directly into the worm compost with at least a little success. Don't get too excited about this one, but every dead fly is a victory in my world.

Freezing

I have recently started to freeze all of my kitchen compost scraps before feeding. This process allows the food to be broken down more easily by microorganisms and thus eaten more easily by the worms. It also kills any eggs from fruit flies or fungus gnats that may be on the surface. I keep a kitchen compost container right next to the sink, and then each day transfer the kitchen compost to a larger receptacle in the freezer. It's actually quite easy and helps immensely with fruit flies in particular near the sink.

Blending

I have heard that blending up the kitchen compost before feeding worms will result in far fewer flies in general in the bin. I think this is because they don't have much to anchor on to to lay their eggs, as most of it is mush. Below are my adventure pics from this morning. I pulled the kitchen compost out of the freezer, let it thaw while I worked, and then spent 5 minutes with my trusty cuisinart. It was surprisingly not gross, given most of what was in there was straight fruits and veggies, and none of it "rotten".

That's all for now. I will keep you posted about my progress ridding myself of these buggers.

Good worming!

Buy Can-O-Worms HERE!

Where to buy Red Wigglers? HERE

Where to buy European Nightcrawlers? HERE

Reader Question: Ants in Worm Bin

I have a trail of black ants climbing into my worm bin. How do I get rid of them? Will they hurt my worms?

Black ants won't attack your worms (with the exception of fire ants), but they can affect the worm's ability to make worm compost in that they compete for food if they become too plentiful. In addition, worms prefer a nice moist habitat, while ants like their home to be a little drier. Chances are if you have an ant problem occurring, your bedding is not quite moist enough for your worms. 

Here are three things you can do:

• Water your bin. You want the bedding to be quite moist, but to also allow for air flow. If you're worried about making the bedding too wet (and leading to anaerobic conditions), simply turn it every day or two until you get a feel for how wet the worms like it.
• Again, turn the contents of your bin. This activity will help deter the ants (and other pests) from laying eggs and will help kill off any existing larvae. 
• Put the feet of the bin into dishes of water. Ants can't swim, so this will prevent any additional ants from entering the system from the outside world. 

Learn about other worm bin pests / friends here:

Slugs

Fruit Flies

Maggots

Stay tuned for a Worm Compost Challenge update soon!

Good worming!

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Where to buy Red Wigglers? HERE

Where to buy European Nightcrawlers? HERE

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Worm Composting Pests

He looks kind of cute, doesn't he? 

Well, he's NOT!

Ahhhh, the joy of worm composting... and all of the related critters you may end up finding in your bin. Two particular critters have been bugging me of late, the fruit fly and the slug. Slugs are easy so far; I find them when they're tiny and simply toss them out of the bin. Apparently if a slug is allowed to grow large enough it may eventually eat your worms (blech!!!), so if you see these fat freeloaders in your bin toss them on the double. 

Fruit flies have been quite another matter to deal with due to their incredible ability to reproduce at what seems like the speed of light. I have been fortunate enough to get the fruit fly population under control in about half of my bins, but in the other half they are still hatching from the last round of adults who so kindly laid their eggs in my compost (don't worry, I don't sell worms that come from bedding with fly problems). In all of my bins I have decided to put the lids back on; I have drilled 2" holes in the tops and stapled several layers of aluminum screen over the holes to keep the outside flies out while still providing some ventilation. My most recent trick has proven quite effective so far. I use a beer bottle or wine bottle, fill partway with both vinegar and corn syrup, and dig it into the bedding. I make sure there is enough clearance between the top of the bottle and the lid of the bin to allow the fruit flies into the bottle. Most of them can't figure out how to get back out and dive to their deaths (bwaaahahahahaha). I've seen a few flying back out, though, so I may try to make the hole a little bit smaller than the half inch opening of the bottle. So far the worms have been smart enough to steer clear of the bottles themselves. I'll keep you posted.

I believe the worm composting gods are testing me these days by making sure I experience every pest possible. That's fine in the end, as I will be all the more educated about how to balance the ecosystem in my bins and to pass that knowledge on to my customers. The good news is that my worms are thriving, oblivious to my struggles up top with flying creatures. 

Good worming!

Buy Can-O-Worms HERE!

Where to buy Red Wigglers? HERE

Where to buy European Nightcrawlers? HERE