Question 1

Why does my Subpod smell?

Accepted Answer

If your Subpod smells, it indicates that food is rotting before the worms can eat it or there is not enough oxygen in the system.

In most cases, adding more carbon should balance your Subpod out

Add carbon sources such as shredded newspaper or cardboard, coconut peat, wood shavings, dry leaves or sawdust each time you feed your Subpod, along with a handful of biochar.

Have you been using your aerator? Each time you add your food waste make sure you use the compost aerator to mix the scaps thoroughly whilst also adding oxygen to the Subpod, which creates a healthy, fresh-smelling aerobic environment.

Question 2

How much food can my worms eat?

Accepted Answer

The amount of food that worms can eat depends on the size of your worm bin and the number of worms you have. As a general rule, worms can consume about half their body weight in food per day.

For example, if you have 500g of worms, they can consume about 250g of food per day. However, it's important to keep in mind that the worms will not eat all the food you give them at once. You should start with small amounts of food and gradually increase as the worms begin to consume it.

It's also important to note that worms can only eat so much food based on the moisture and temperature conditions in the bin. If the bin is too dry or too hot, the worms will not be able to eat as much food. If you find that the worms are not consuming the food you're providing, you may need to adjust the moisture levels in the bin by adding water or reducing the amount of food you're adding.

For more help with your wormery and frequently asked questions pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/wormery-faqs. Or if you’re keen to get started or order a wormery please visit https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/worm-composting

Question 3

Are normal earthworms suitable for composting?

Accepted Answer

Normal earthworms, also known as "garden worms" or "lob worms," are not typically suitable for composting. These worms are typically found in soil and are not well adapted to the conditions found in a worm composting bin. They require specific conditions such as a certain temperature and pH range to survive. The worms commonly used for composting are red worms – sometimes referred to as Tiger Worms (Lumbricus rubellus, dendrabaena veneta and Eisenia foetida). These worms are well-suited to the conditions found in a worm composting bin and they are able to consume large amounts of organic matter and convert it into nutrient-rich compost. They reproduce quickly, which helps to increase the population and improve the efficiency of the composting process. It's also important to note that there are some earthworms that can tolerate the conditions of a worm bin, but their efficiency in breaking down the organic matter is not as good as the red worms. For more help with your wormery and frequently asked questions pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/wormery-faqs. Or if you’re keen to get started or order a wormery please visit https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/worm-composting

Question 4

What temperature works best for a worm composting kit?

Accepted Answer

The ideal temperature range for a worm composting kit is between 55-77°F 13-25°C (55-77°F). This temperature range allows the worms to most efficiently process the organic matter, reproduce, and thrive.

If the temperature is too low, the worms will become less active and the decomposition process will slow down. If the temperature is too high, the worms will become stressed and may die.

It's important to keep an eye on the temperature in your worm composting kit, especially during extreme weather conditions. In warm weather, you can place the worm bin in a shaded area or add a layer of insulation to help keep it cool. In cold weather, you can place the bin in a warmer area or add a heating pad or lamp to keep it warm.

It's also important to mention that the temperature can also be affected by the amount of waste in the bin, the moisture levels, and the ventilation. It's crucial to keep a balance of all these factors to keep a healthy environment for the worms.

For more help with your wormery and frequently asked questions pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/wormery-faqs. Or if you’re keen to get started or order a wormery please visit https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/worm-composting

Question 5

Why won't my worms move?

Accepted Answer

If your worms are not moving to the next tray, there could be a few reasons:

Not enough food: If there is not enough food in the top tray, the worms may not have a reason to move up. Make sure to add food to the top tray regularly and in small amounts.
The waste has sunk. As worms compost waste the volume reduces and sometimes this can cause a gap between the trays which makes access to the next tray more difficult. Check for gaps and if there are – add waste into the gap.
Not the right type of food: Some types of food, such as citrus, onions, and garlic, can be harmful to worms and should be avoided. If you have added a lot of citrus onions and garlic to the top tray, either mix in other foods or remove some of them and replace with a more suitable foods for the worms.
Overcrowding: If there are too many worms in the bin, they may not have enough space to move around. Try harvesting some of the compost and removing some worms.
Temperature: worms are very sensitive to temperature, if the temperature is too high or too low it can affect their activity. Make sure the temperature in the bin is within the ideal range of 55-77°F (13-25°C)
pH level: worms need a slightly acidic environment to survive. If the pH level of the bin is too high or too low, it can affect their activity.

It's important to keep an eye on the conditions of the bin and make adjustments as needed to ensure a healthy environment for the worms. For more help with your wormery and frequently asked questions pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/wormery-faqs. Or if you’re keen to get started or order a wormery please visit https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/worm-composting

Question 6

Why won't my worms stay put?

Accepted Answer

What to do if the worms try to escape from your worm composter!

There could be several reasons why your worms are trying to escape on the first night:

Stress: The worms may be stressed due to the change in environment, this could be the case if the worms were harvested from the wild or from a different composting setup. They may need some time to adjust to their new home. Light: Worms are sensitive to light and they may be trying to escape to avoid it. Make sure to keep the bin out of direct sunlight, and keep it in a location that is not too bright. Temperature: Worms have a preferred temperature range, if the temperature is too hot or too cold it could stress them and cause them to try to escape. Make sure the temperature in the bin is within the ideal range of 55-77°F (13-25°C) PH level: worms need a slightly acidic environment to survive. If the pH level of the bin is too high or too low, it can affect their activity and cause them to try to escape. Moisture: worms need a moist environment to survive, if the bin is too dry or too wet, it could cause them to try to escape. Make sure to keep the bin moist, but not wet. Lack of food: worms need a steady supply of food to survive, if they don't have enough food, they may try to escape to search for more. It's important to monitor the conditions of your worm bin and make adjustments as needed to ensure a healthy environment for the worms. It could take some time for the worms to adjust to their new environment, but with the right conditions they should stop trying to escape.

For more help with your wormery and frequently asked questions pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/wormery-faqs. Or if you’re keen to get started or order a wormery please visit https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/worm-composting

Question 7

How do I harvest my worm compost without the worms?

Accepted Answer

There are a few methods to harvest worm compost without the worms:

The "bottom tray" method: This method involves removing the bottom tray of the wormery and placing it on top of the top tray and removing the lid. This will allow the worms to migrate downwards. The compost in the bottom tray can then be harvested without disturbing the worms.
The "windrow" method: This method involves creating a "windrow" (a long, narrow pile) of the worm compost on top of a piece of plastic sheeting. The worms will migrate to one end of the windrow, leaving the compost at the other end ready for harvest.
The "casting" method: This method involves allowing the worms to work the compost for a longer period of time, until the castings (the worm manure) have dropped to the bottom of the tray, where they can be harvested without worms.
The "screen" method: This method involves using a screen or sifter to separate the compost from the worms. The worms are placed in a new container with fresh bedding and food scraps, while the compost can be collected and used. It's important to note that the worm composting process is ongoing and it's not necessary to harvest all the compost at once, you can harvest the compost as you need it. It's also important to keep the environment of the worms healthy and not to stress them out by disturbing them too much. For more help with your wormery and frequently asked questions pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/wormery-faqs. Or if you’re keen to get started or order a wormery please visit https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/worm-composting

Question 8

I have maggots in my wormery!

Accepted Answer

Maggots are the larvae of flies and usually gain access via eggs laid on the food scraps you put in. The first step is to ensure flies can’t lay eggs in your kitchen caddy or where you store the waste before you compost it. They can be a sign that the conditions in your wormery are suitable for fly larvae to thrive and that the organic matter in the bin is rotting rather than the worms eating and composting it. Maggots are not harmful to the worms and can even be a valuable food source for them. However, if you find the population of maggots to be excessive, you can try reducing the amount of food scraps you add to the wormery or covering the bin with a lid to reduce the number of flies that can lay eggs in it.

For more help with your wormery and frequently asked questions pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/wormery-faqs. Or if you’re keen to get started or order a wormery please visit https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/worm-composting

Question 9

Why is my wormery not producing worm tea?

Accepted Answer

Worm composters, also known as worm bins or vermicomposters, produce a liquid known as worm tea or leachate. This liquid is a nutrient-rich byproduct of the composting process that can be used as a fertiliser for plants. If your worm composter is not producing any liquid, there are a few possible reasons:

Insufficient moisture: The worm bin should be kept moist, but not waterlogged. If the bin is too dry, the worms will not be able to break down the organic matter and produce leachate.
Lack of food: The worms will not produce leachate if there is not enough food for them to consume. Make sure you are providing the worms with a steady supply of food scraps. This is the most usual problem.
Not enough worms: Leachate is produced as a by-product of the worms breaking down organic matter. If there are not enough worms in the bin, there may not be enough activity to produce leachate.
The liquid is being absorbed: If the bedding material is not draining well and is too compacted, the liquid will be absorbed by the bedding instead of draining out. Make sure to check the drainage and aeration of your worm bin.
The liquid is evaporating: If the bin is open or not covered properly, the liquid will evaporate before it can be collected. Make sure the bin is properly covered or use a worm composter that has a spigot for easy collection of the liquid.

For more help with your wormery and frequently asked questions pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/wormery-faqs. Or if you’re keen to get started or order a wormery please visit https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/worm-composting

Question 10

What should I do about ants in my vermicomposter?

Accepted Answer

Ants in a vermicomposter can be a nuisance, but they are not harmful to the worms or the composting process. However, if the population of ants is excessive, there are a few things you can do to reduce their numbers:

Keep the bin moist but not waterlogged: Ants are attracted to dry environments, so maintaining the proper moisture level in the bin can help discourage them from entering. Use a lid: Covering the bin with a lid can help reduce the number of ants that can enter the bin. Keep food scraps buried: Make sure to bury food scraps under the bedding material to reduce the amount of food available to the ants. Use diatomaceous earth: Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance that can be sprinkled on the surface of the bin to help keep ants away. Keep the area clean: Regularly cleaning the surrounding area of the vermicomposter can help prevent ants from entering the bin. It is important to note that ants are beneficial for the ecosystem and help control pests, but if the population is overwhelming, it may be necessary to take action to reduce their numbers.

For more help with your wormery and frequently asked questions pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/wormery-faqs. Or if you’re keen to get started or order a wormery please visit https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/worm-composting