Indoor Vermicomposters

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Comment by Dwight Zgavec on November 24, 2009 at 8:35am

I need some input on bin size. I am looking to maximize cocoon production. I am starting with 250 "Eudrillus eugeniae", African Nightcrawler breeders. I am adding an additional 500 at the beginning of next month. How much space would 250 breeders need?

Comment by Stephen Sibley on July 8, 2009 at 2:15pm

Slim - I have been having good luck with the two kohler bath tubs. approx 4lbs in each...but i think i am going to change to largest plastic totes. I think they totes are a little better because of the extra drainage holes across the bottom, and around the top for air flow. In the bath tub it requires me turning them much more often.

Ill try to update my pictures and the conditions of the worm farm.

how many worms do you have, and how do you personally tell when they are ready to harvest? I know if you want the castings more pure, you will lose more worms, but if you are harvesting for maximum worm count, the castings will not be as pure.

what have you all learned from your experiences? any tricks or advice you can share with me?

Comment by Strumelia on April 7, 2009 at 5:28pm

I found a perfect clip-on shop light that I can clamp to a chair and position over the bin but not too close. I can put a 25 or 40 watt bulb in it.
Thanks!
Still no worms arriving yet...

Comment by Angela on April 7, 2009 at 9:02am

I use a 13 watt cfl bulb in a desk lamp and I leave my lid off all the time. I keep it about 2 feet above the bin on a ledge. It seems to do the trick for me.

Comment by Carl on April 7, 2009 at 8:58am

Since my ceiling lights are all joined together and I didn't want to use that much energy, I used a regular desk lamp perched on the edge of my bin. Placing it on a table or chair near the bin should be fine. I did leave the top of the bin open, but that may not be needed.

Comment by Mary on April 6, 2009 at 9:58pm

I don't think it needs to be all that close. My bin in down in my basement and I just left the ceiling basement light on for a few days. I suspect your regular office lamp, maybe on a chair next to the bin (?) would work just fine. Good luck!

Comment by Strumelia on April 6, 2009 at 7:30pm

What kind of wattage is used to light the top of a Gusanito worm bin for the first days when you first add your worms to the new bin? My bin will be in the coner of the kitchen and obviously I don't want worms all over the place. I know the worms tend to wander at first til they settle in, and an overhead light keeps them from trying to excapre until they get used to their new home.
But how bright should the light be, and what distance from the bin? And should the top be completely off, exposing the upper dry bedding layer to the light?
I have small hi-intensity reading lamp I could use.....or just a spare office lamp? What wattage? How close?
Thanks!

Comment by Stephen Sibley on March 23, 2009 at 5:13pm

thank you very much eve! I am going to start using it more often, esp. as it is so cheap!

Comment by Eve on March 22, 2009 at 7:21pm

There is also composted Steer Manure.
Locally in the spring we can get a 50 lb. bag for $1.99. I used it as half the bedding in my first worm bin.

I never had a problem with that bin, the worms didn't even try to escape. I never had worms crawling up the bin walls or any of the other things newbies normally have. I read later that composted steer manure is one of the best worm foods available as it has tons of all the right microbes in it already.

Just think of it as worm candy.

Comment by Stephen Sibley on March 19, 2009 at 5:40pm

it is steer manure purchased from a nursery for soil amendment, one is straight steer manure i believe, the other is a blend of steer manure with compost. I was thinking of throwing a little bit of the steer manure with compost in and see what happens! thanks for the wisdom!

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