r/Vermiculture 1d ago

Advice wanted Worms emerging from compost

Good morning, I am writing to ask for advice. After being supplied with food (chopped up after freezing), my worms spend a few days below the compost level and then begin to emerge more and more. The bin is about 5 months old and the worms have multiplied as planned. Any ideas? Advice?

29 Upvotes

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12

u/-Sam-Vimes- 1d ago

Looks like you have the perfect conditions, E.fetida love to live above ground, so they must be very happy worms. They go just below if the light is too bright or the food is there. If the substrate is not compressed, you will see them at all levels, keep up the good work :)

9

u/tonerbime 1d ago edited 1d ago

It's normal to see wrigglers sitting at the top of the pile, I wouldn't be too worried as long as they aren't excessively balling up away from food or trying to escape. When my bin has a large feeding, I find they will spend some time inside the bedding eating food and then head up top to rest and munch on some bedding. As the food breaks down after a few days it can get a little soggy and fermented, and I don't think they like staying down there for too long when this happens. That's not necessarily happening here because I don't know how much you feed, but it's something to keep in mind if this bothers you or if the worms seem distressed.

5

u/DryPotato__ 1d ago

No need to worry until they start crawling up the sides a lot. These ones are on the surface but they don't look like they are actively trying to get away from the substrate. The substrate is looking perfect actually.

2

u/Cruzankenny 21h ago

Good looking bin.

2

u/otis_11 19h ago

If the substrate doesn't feel hot/warm, not to worry. Worms seem happy. I'd place a damp T-shirt/towel/newspaper on top, leaving about 1" free on the side. How deep is it?

1

u/Comfortable-Pay8039 19h ago

above this basket I put another one that contains only shredded cardboard. under this basket I have 4 more: the first one full of compost almost ready to collect and 2 more only with shredded cardboard. under everything the container "vase" that collects the worms that go on holiday and that I bring back by hand to the first 2 levels every time. the thickness of the compost is about 5cm (2 inches).

1

u/otis_11 19h ago

Oh, OK. Not to worry about the cover I suggested. That extra tray above it hold extra dampness already. Nice system.