HELP - Deformed Worm dying each day

[jyaki]

Dear All,

I started my 30liter worm bin last two months. I have around 500g of worms. I have been feeding the worms with fruits and vegetables scraps every week (about 150g). Newspapers and cardboard were used as the bedding. The bedding is always moist but not dry.

The bin is about 1feet in depth with 4-5inches of bedding with no holes at the bottom. Bin has a lot of white mites and pink/white springtail (I think) living with the worms

Problem started last 3 weeks when I discovered sick worms on the surface of the bedding. They usually look a string of pearl and some worms look like they are almost cut into half. I can see those pink/white springtail and mites consuming the rotten part of the worm body.

Each day when i visit my worm bin, there will be 3-4 dead worms.

What could have gone wrong to my bin? Below is a picture of some sick worms i took 3 weeks ago.

I will try to get more photos of dying worms and those pink/white spring tails tonight.

Please advise :(

Thank you
Jacky

[Jeannene]

I had a similar problem a few months ago, here are some things to think about. Carefully consider what you are feeding, low acid and low oil, no citrus, tomatoes or acid fruit. No onion or garlic. If that's not it look at the bedding, Is it contaminated with anything, chemicals or oils? I lost a couple of lbs of my reds a few months ago because of the newspaper I had run through a paper shredder that had been oiled with machine oil. What is your source for water for the bedding, we soften the hard water so I have to be sure and get it straight from the well.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

[jyaki]

Jeannene - Yes, I did mix some pineapples the first time I feed them. I will try to add non-acidic food when I feed them next week

marylou - Today, I've drill about 10 holes (1/16'') at the bottom. I've also place some new newspaper bedding. Below are some photos which I've taken just hours ago. I have no idea what is the name of the pink bug which seems to be eating the worm.

Small segment of a decapitated worm.

[Steven Chow]

What kind of mites are those? They are so bright and red... kinda look like mini gummy worms.

[sfsolar]

Looks like springtails:
http://www.happydranch.com/5.html

[Steven Chow]

Wow.. I've seen lots of very very small white mites, but thankfully I haven't found any large mites like that in my bin yet... cross my fingers.

[Jason]

They almost look like miniature velvet worms.

[Christopher Faenger]

I'm no expert, but it looks very moist in there to me. I was first told to soak my newspaper before adding it, but my bin got overly wet, very quickly and it kept looking like the worms wanted to get up out of it. Since then, I have found that dry newspaper torn and added at the top soaks up plenty of moisture from the veggies and the ecosystem in general. But, like I said, I'm a noob; What do you veterans out there think?

[jyaki]

I checked the bin yesterday. Worms are still dying. I saw a worm with swollen neck instead of chopped up body. I saw an article before and it state that this is due to low ph level in the bin. I've added a about 10 pulvarized egg shell. I hope it will reduce the casulties of my worm.

I will preparing new bedding and move my worms away from the old bedding by tonight. So far, my european night crawler is ok. Only the tiger worms are dying.

[Jill]

This is the strangest thing I have ever seen- it is almost like a worm horror movie! I am glad I read this just in case it ever happens to me. I'm wondering if it is catchy, like a disease or virus, or if it is a reaction to a specific condition???

[jyaki]

Another soon to be dead worm.

[Eve]

I have been researching your sick worms the only thing i have some up with so far is Protein Poisoning or sour crop.

"Protein poisoning (sour crop) is when too much feedstock is added (especially if mixed into the bedding). The large volume of decomposing material creates acids and gasses that are toxic to worms."

Here is a link in garden forums.

http://www.thegardenforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=16547&highlight=...

They say that gases build up from the inside of the worm exploding them from the inside.
They recommend changing the bedding to save the worms.

[jyaki]

Eve, thx for the link! It clearly indicate the exact syndrome my bins are facing! I suddenly feel relieve as I am not the only person with such trouble bins.

Unfortunately, they cannot conclude what was actually happening.. but nevertheless. I will update everyone again with my bin condition. I've just change some bedding and lets see what happens.