RECENTLY ORDERED WORMS FOR COMPOSTING?
READ BELOW FOR HELPFUL TIPS ON COMPOSTING WITH RED WIGGLERS
1. How much should I feed my worms?
There is a worm to daily food ratio. The ratio is 2 pounds of worms for each pound of food, in short: 2:1. So 1 lb pound of worms can eat .5 lbs of food a day.
1. What do red wigglers like/dislike to eat?
They will eat all vegetables even if they are past their prime. The smaller the pieces, the easier it is for them to digest and the faster it will be processed into compostable worm castings. They will eat most fruits however AVOID large amounts of citrus, as it is too acidic. Peels and rhines will take longer to break down as well. Sources of fiber include, shredded paper, cardboard and dried leaves. Things my worms LOVE to eat bananas, grapes, apples,coffee grounds and egg shells. Remeber never put dairy or meat in your worm box.
2. How cold/hot can worms survive during extreme weather months?
The ideal temperature range for red wigglers is approximately 68 degrees to 75 degrees . They can survive in temperatures as low as 42 degrees, up to 85 degrees although these extremes will stress them and is not recommended. As it gets colder, below 65 degrees, the worms will become less active to conserve energy. Therefore, they will eat less and not breed until they are at a more comfortable environment. Conversely, if it is too hot you need to monitor the bin and make sure that it does not get too dry. It is adviseable to measure the temperature of the bedding inside the box, as it will be slightly cooler than the surrounding air temperature.
3. How often do worms reproduce?
They will double their population every 3 months.
Do worms die in the box?
It’s hard to find dead worms in a worm box because they decompose very quickly due to the fact their bodies are between 75%-90% water. If you find many dead worms you should find out the cause such as prolonged exposure to high heat, 85 degrees or more. Also, too much salt or acidic food waste can kill them. It’s best to change the bedding with fresh materials to solve the problem.
How long do worms live?
Often, worms live and die in the same year depending on ihow often they are exposed to hazards such as extreme dryness or temperature extremes.
Do worms need air?
Worms need oxygen to live because they breathe through their skin. The oxygen diffuses across the moist tissue of their skin while conversely carbon dioxide is relaesed through bodily processes of the worm also diffuses through skin. A constant supply of fresh air throughout the bedding helps this desirable exchange take place.
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