Question 1

Which birds eat live mealworms?

Accepted Answer

Lots of birds are attracted to live mealworms including

Blackbirds

By the way whilst you may want to deter larger birds it’s well worth helping out your starling population with some live wigglers as their numbers have been in decline for some years.

Question 2

When is the best time to feed live mealworms to garden birds?

Accepted Answer

Your birds will benefit from feeding all year round and live food is important. There are times of year when it is more important than other times though – in particular feeding adults and young in the breeding season is key as live food is critical to the survival rates of the whole family.

Outside of the breeding season because there is a decrease in natural food and invertebrates and there is no better food than live mealworms so if you want to all year round is a good idea. If not live mealworms are particularly beneficial when there is dry weather or drought and in the moulting season so summer and late summer.

Question 3

What do I do about waste shrinkage in the lower trays of the wormery?

Accepted Answer

It is important to maintain the level of waste in the lower trays of the wormery as the waste is reducing. If the level drops too much then it makes if difficult for the worms to access the levels above.

Question 4

Should I add cardboard to the sump tray of my wormery?

Accepted Answer

This is not needed. If the worms are congregating in the sump tray then this is an indication that there is an issue with the contents of the upper trays.

Question 5

How Do Worms Breathe?

Accepted Answer

Worms breathe through their skin which must remain moist to absorb oxygen from the air.

Question 6

How Many Worms Are There In The Soil?

Accepted Answer

A really good soil has up to 1 million worms per acre!

Question 7

Are Worms Male And Female?

Accepted Answer

Worms are hermaphrodite which means they have both male and female reproductive cells. However, it still takes two to tango… if you know what I mean!

Question 8

How does a soil factory help with Bokashi?

Accepted Answer

A soil factory is a fantastic way to manage Bokashi waste after fermentation. Here’s how it works:

What it is: A container filled with garden soil or old compost, into which you mix your fermented Bokashi waste.

How it helps: It’s contained and tidy, so there’s no worry about scraps being exposed to animals or creating mess.

Benefits for soil: The microbes in the Bokashi waste enrich the soil in the factory, creating a nutrient-dense compost that’s ready to use in a few weeks.

A soil factory is especially useful if you don’t have a garden space for burying waste directly or if you’re composting during winter when digging isn’t practical.

Question 9

Will Bokashi attract vermin to my garden?

Accepted Answer

No, Bokashi is one of the most vermin-proof composting methods as it is completely contained. Once brewed and added to your compost or soil because the waste is acidic during the fermentation process it helps make it unappealing to rats, mice, and other pests. Obviously vermin will eat everything so the main point is to deal with the pests you have but if there is a problem the best option is to use a soil factory. If you’re worried about animals digging in your garden, this method is a game-changer.

Question 10

Do I need a lot of space for a soil factory?

Accepted Answer

Not at all! A soil factory can be as compact as you like. A large plastic storage tub with a tight-fitting lid works brilliantly and can be kept in a corner of your garden, greenhouse, or even on a balcony. If you’ve got space for a couple of bins, you can set up a rotation system to keep things running smoothly. It’s perfect for those with limited outdoor space or urban gardeners.