Question 1

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 2

What Are The Worms Favourite Foods?

Accepted Answer

A Worm’s Diet… Try lots of different foods. Just like us they do not thrive on just one food, so all sorts of fruit, veggies, plate scraps can be added as well as coffee grounds, tea bags and dog hair. They are particularly partial to banana skins, rabbit and hamster droppings and all veg peelings but as long as there is variety fruits, onions and all sorts can be added.

Question 3

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

Question 4

How Do Worms Breathe?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

How Long Does It Take A Wormery To Compost One Full Container?

Accepted Answer

Creating quality composts takes approximately 2-3 months. It mainly depends on the number of earthworms and the quality of 'food'.

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Question 6

Can I Add Cardboard To My Wormery?

Accepted Answer

Cardboard is great for your worm composter (as is a sprinkling of lime mix) A ratio of 25-30% volume of cardboard or equivalent will ensure speedier worm composting. Avoid the really shiny boxes like soap powder and go for newsprint, egg boxes etc.

Question 7

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 8

What should I do once I have filled one tray in my worm composting kit?

Accepted Answer

Once you have filled one tray in your worm composting kit, there are a few things you can do to continue the composting process:

Add another tray: If your worm composting kit has multiple trays, you can add another tray on top of the filled one. The worms will eventually migrate up to the new tray and begin processing the new food. NB: Check for gaps between the trays as sometimes as the worms work on the waste it reduces in volume and sinks so that it’s more difficult for the worms to move up. If this happens just add more waste into the gap. Wait: Give the worms some time to migrate up to the new tray. This can take a few days to a week, depending on the temperature and moisture levels in the bin. Harvest the compost: Once the worms have migrated up to the new tray and have finished processing the food in the lower tray, you can harvest the compost. The compost will be dark, crumbly, and have a rich, earthy smell. Add the compost to your garden: The compost can be added to your garden to improve soil structure and fertility, or used as a soil amendment. Repeat the process: Continue to add food scraps to the top tray and repeat the process. Remember to check the moisture levels and add water if necessary. It's important to note that a worm composting kit is not a "set it and forget it" process, it requires monitoring and maintenance to ensure a healthy environment for the worms and good quality compost.

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

What Do Worms Need To Survive And Thrive?

Accepted Answer

Basically worms need food, air, and moisture – all of which are pretty easy to provide. Once you’ve understood that your wormery is not a waste disposal machine but a living, working ecosystem you will find it provides a service as well as providing some great worm compost and liquid feed.