Composting, Vermicomposting, Recycling

and the backyard hobbyist.

1. Breeding habits of the Red Wiggler earthworms. I have found that the time will vary and is dependant upon several factors:

Climatic changes. The worms seem to prefer a temperature of about (70ish), without to many drastic changes.

I've found that by severely stressing the earthworms (unintentionally on my part!) that they will get into a "survival of the species" mode and will multiply faster. The instance I'm referring to was a long, dry spell, when the beds were allowed to dry out. (Friend didn't water them, as he said he would) The beds were dry for several months, before I returned and started watering them again, I was amazed at the fast return of the baby earthworms, they were everywhere, far more then I ever would have expected had the beds been taken care of properly.

Since the earthworms can and do both breed and produce egg capsules, with each egg capsule containing between 6 and 10 babies, they can and do multiply quite rapidly.

2. Feeding habits of the red wiggler earthworms:

I've found that they will eat almost anything! Although there are things that are better and worse for them. Anything that is organic, decomposing and in small pieces seems to work. There are some things that others suggest be avoided, due to numerous reasons.

Some of the things that I've feed mine are leaves, manure (horse, goat and chicken), grass clippings, food scraps (no meat please!) trash. I try not to put anything into AVSA that will attract any pests.

I cover the new feed under a layer of bedding and only feed on one end of the unit, so the earthworms can crawl into and out of it.

By using some common sense and only feeding doubtful things to a few at a time, alot of troubles can be avoided.

I especially watch for animal manure that has come from animals that have been "treated" for something. Might contain poison that harms, kills the earthworms or contaminates the vermicompost.

Likewise I watch grass clippings from lawns that have also been "treated" with any of the "cides" (herbicide, insecticide, etc.). I just prefer to NOT take the chance. I don't want those things in the finished vermicompost, nor do I want it to affect my earthworms.

Here again there are numerous books, links etc., on the subject.

3. Pests

Pests are plentiful and can only be dealt with on a "first come, eradicate" basis.

I control flying insects with the old fashioned fly strips, they are cheap, and work without harmful sprays. By placing them above the units, they catch the insects as they enter and leave.

Crawling insects can be easily controlled by placing the legs of the AVSA into a Coffee cans filled one-fourth full, with mineral oil, liquid dish soap and a little bleach. Few crawlers will venture across and make it.

Mice, Rats, and all the other creepy things can be controlled by cleaning up any dropped feed and keeping the area under the AVSA unit clean.

4. Advantages of Vermicomposting Versus Composting

I believe that the greatest benefit is knowing that if a poisonous substance is added to a compost pile, it will remain poison that is added back into the garden, back into the food, and back into you.

With vermicomposting a poison will kill the worms. End of chain.

5. Production of Castings (Vermicompost)

Here again, allot has been written, I prefer to use the formula that the pounds of feed, eaten by as many pounds of earthworms will produce one half the poundage of castings. In other words. 2 lbs. of feed, eaten by 2 lbs of earthworms will produce 1 lb of castings per 24 hours. This can and does vary depending on the food, size of pieces, amount of decomposition and even the temperature.

By allowing the feed to heat-up and start decomposing, hastens the consumption by the earthworms. But don't let it get too hot, wait until it starts cooling off, before adding to the bedding.

 

I hope that this has helped explain some of the basics, earthworms have been around for a long time, and survived far more then an inexperienced beginner. Best advise is Go for it, get some and get to know them...They are my best little buddies, hope they become yours also...

 

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Updated 12/03/02