Question 1

How To Look After My Worms

Accepted Answer

Worms need nurturing just like all of us. There are a few basic requirements that will ensure they eat and breed and therefore make compost for you.

1: They need food. As with most of us worms like a varied diet, lots of different foods are great for worms and a few of their favourites are veggie waste, coffee ground and banana skins. They aren’t too fussy but it the waste is too wet there tends to be a lack of air.

2: They need moisture. This is usually not worth thinking about as most of your kitchen waste is actually water so unless you live in Alice Springs you have no need to concern yourself about adding water. Do keep your moisture mat or similar on top of the freshest waste as this helps to maintain moisture and soak up excess.

3: Air – Your worm bin isn’t airtight so as long as the waste doesn’t get too wet there will be air circulating. If there is any doubt every now and again it’s worth adding a layer of shredded cardboard which really helps airflow.

4: A neutral pH level… Most waste is acidic and if there is too much acidity this can affect your worms. You can tell if there is a problem if the kit smells or there are flies attracted to it. Adding a handful of the lime mix that came with your kit will sort this out and adding crushed eggshells will also help the balance.

Worm kits are pretty simple – as long as the conditions are beneficial to your worms they will stay and compost for you. Remember your worm composting kit isn’t a waste disposal machine, it’s a complete ecosystem that turns kitchen waste into the best compost and liquid feed in the World!

Watch this short video on how to look after your worms.TIP: Click on the YouTube icon in the video to watch full screen

Question 2

Can we leave the Subpod if we go away on holidays?

Accepted Answer

To keep the worms happy while you’re away, buy a pumpkin (or use one that is starting to rot), cut it in half and lay the open sides face down on the top of the bedding of the Subpod.

Then add a generous layer of dry carbon, either shredded newspaper, coir (coconut husk), wood shavings, crushed dried leaves or dried (brown) grass clippings on top of the pumpkin, and place the worm blankets over everything.

Question 3

How much food waste can be processed in Subpod?

Accepted Answer

Once your worm population builds up you can feed your Subpod 30L (7.9 gal.) or 15kgs (34 lb) of food waste per week.

Question 4

How and when to harvest the compost/castings?

Accepted Answer

After 2-3 months or when your Subpod is full, you can harvest your Subpod compost.

Question 5

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 6

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.

Question 7

What shouldn't I feed to my worms?

Accepted Answer

Avoid grass clippings (as they heat up), glossy printed paper and cardboard (lots of chemicals) Non Biodegradables (of course), Dog and Cat droppings (can carry human pathogens) and raw meat.

Question 8

Can I put anything in my Bokashi bin?

Accepted Answer

Not quite anything, but almost! You can add:

Cooked and uncooked food waste: Vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, rice, pasta, and even eggshells.

Leftovers: Including those greasy scraps that wouldn’t normally go in a traditional compost heap.

Avoid:

Liquids: Oil, milk, or excessive sauces can interfere with fermentation.

Large bones: These take ages to break down.

Non-food items: Stick to kitchen scraps—no paper, plastic, or garden waste.

Wiggly tip: Chop larger items into smaller pieces to help the microbes do their work more efficiently.

Question 9

Does Bokashi smell?

Accepted Answer

No. Bokashi waste smells pleasantly tangy—like pickled vegetables or cider vinegar. This is a sign that fermentation is working. If it does smell rotten or putrid, it’s usually because too much liquid has built up, or the lid hasn’t been sealed tightly enough. Drain the liquid regularly and ensure the bin is airtight for the best results.