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There are many other creatures in the worm bin, few are harmful to the earthworm. Most are beneficial, and take their place in the food chain.
Some are problems for the bin. Mice and Rats will nest in dark corners. The worm bin/ virmi-compost pile is a natural habitat for a great many insects and pests. All insects generally thrive on the moist environment and decaying organic matter.
Spiders, Earwigs, Millipedes, Grasshoppers, Crickets, Flies, Silverfish, Termites, Aphids, Sow bugs, Stink bugs and many more will invade the worm bin at one time or other. You may see them in every stage from eggs to adults. These insects are not harmful, except they may eat some of the earthworm feed. By burying the feed you can help keep the maggots and fly larvae under control. A layer of moist shredded paper or cardboard will suffice as a cover. "I use a wet paper feed bag (whole) over the feed with a heavy board on top, seems to work for me."
If you use rabbit manure you may see a white insect develop in the earthworm bin. This is a Louse which grows on the rabbit and falls off into the manure. It is not harmful to living earthworms it thrives on dead and dying organic matter.
Nematodes; A white thread like worm approx. 1/4 to 1/2 inch long may grow in beds which are high in acid content. (generally caused by over feeding). They are not harmful to the earthworm and are sometimes raised for tropical fish food.
The last predator of the earthworm to mention of course, is man. By using the chemical fertilizers, insecticides, bleaches, herbicides, on the farmland and home sites. Filling our garbage cans for the land fills with organic material, people can destroy the natural habitat of the earthworm in general. For us wormy growers neglecting our bins. Not using the proper material, over or not feeding properly, allowing moisture to vary, or not protecting the bin from predators, we become the worms worst enemy. The only diseases known are caused by these conditions. With proper planning, installation, feeding, watering and general care on our part, we can eliminate many of the health problems with earthworms. Have a good, healthy and prosperous time in the bin. wormman
Thanks Babe, lots of good information for us to digest..
Most of the problems that Babe mentioned above are from outside beds/bins where these predators are anxiously awaiting each and every opportunity to invade and eat their fill of earthworms. This was one of the main reasons that I designed AVSA to be used indoors. The creepy, crawling insects are stopped at the floor level with either cans of water w/mineral oil that the legs sit in, or by wrapping some cheap fly strips around them. Flying insects are controlled by tacking some strips above the units, (out of your way, they are STICKY, ask my white dove!)
Speaking of flying thingys, is your Kits starting to Hum with fruit flies, gnats yet? If so, remove the drawer and Tape (use about any kind) a fly strip on the underside top of the cabinet, it will be on the inside up out of the way, and will catch these pesky little buggers. Just stretch it from back to front and tape in places that it might sag, don't be fooled it looks like its sticky enough to stay up there by itself, NOT, use the tape to make sure...Simple...
Now for Linda's contribution, she looked up the scientific names of the biggest part of the ones that Babe gave the descriptions on. So, now your job.
Match up the scientific with the common name, do some more research on each, and find out who your real enemies are and then first find a way to "prevent" them from starting in the beds, second a way to control them, and lastly a way to eradicate them. If need be. WE DON'T do bug sprays, worms are bugs and will quickly disappear with your other pests...
Common Names Ant, Fire ants, Centipedes (Common House), American cockroach , Field Crickets, European Earwig, Red Legged earwig (American) , Pot worms (White worms), Springtails, Sow bug, Fly , Mould (Mold) Mites, Snails, Common Garden slug or (Great Slug), NZ Flat Worm
Now its your turn find all the Scientific names to match to them... Have fun. NOW you know why Slug is so much easier..
Formicid,
Periplaneta australasiae,
Forficula auricularia,
Solenopsis spp.,
Artioposthia triangulata,
Gryllus spp.,
Diptera,
Limax Maximus,
Collembola,
Enchytraeids,
Periplaneta americana,
Acarina,
Scutigera coleoptrata,
Emborellia annulipes,
Isopod,
Gastropods.
Thanks Linda that was really a mouth full -}-}-}
You may send your answers to me Judy or put up on blog
See you all next lesson, keep an eye, nose and watch out for - any unusual odors, etc. in your kits, post your results with me, so that everyone can compare their results with yours.
I know that it has probably been pretty confusing the past week or so, I've been remodeling the sites, and the links that were there are gone, and don't work, etc... I promise I'm working on it...
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T-Dome Homes Basic Manual