Make sure to check out the June/July edition of Central Oregon’s premiere parenting publication ‘True North’ for a very informative article on Red Wigglers. They mention the benefits of composting food waste and creating your own organic compost. Great job! Visit them online to read the full article, or pick up a FREE copy at a local retailer.
Red Wigglers need oxygen just as much as humans do. The interesting fact is they do not have a pair of lungs. They absorb the oxygen into their outer layer from the moist environment in which they live in. They also have the ability to excrete carbon dioxide from their outer layer. It is very important to monitor the moisture level in the worm bin. If it is too dry, they may suffocate – too wet, they may drown. But if it’s just right, you’ll have happy Red Wigglers making poop for you.
This is a Sow Bug, a Terrestrial Isopod. These guys proliferate in dark, damp areas like worm bins. They munch on decaying matter alongside the Red Wigglers causing no harm inside the worm bin (in fact they help out with the composting process), however outside they can cause damage to your plants and garden.
Sow Bugs need constant moisture to survive and are primarily nocturnal so a moist dark worm bin is perfect.
Can you find the Sow bug in my bin?
Red Wigglers can eat most anything. Try testing out various foods that you normally discard after preparing a meal (less meat products and citrus based fruits).
For example, you may have veggies w/ freezer burn – give them to the worms, they don’t mind.
In addition to veggie and fruit waste, Wonder Worman’s Red Wigglers love pasta, left over cheese pizza and home made chocolate chip cookies!
Who knew?
Before picking up your Red Wigglers, make sure you have a place for them to live. Either an indoor or outdoor bin will do. The choice is up to you and your household needs. There are many options. You can purchase pre-fabricated plastic worm bins or make one yourself out of plastic or wood. Plastic bins are easy to set up and will last a long time. If you do decide to make a bin out of a store-bought plastic container, keep in mind Red Wigglers create a lot of moisture so make sure there are holes on the sides and bottom to allow for ventilation and drainage. Wonder Worman has used plastic bins in the past, but now prefers to use wooden bins for their ability to absorb moisture and overall ease of maintenance.
Both types of bins provide a home for your Red Wigglers to thrive in. The choice is really a matter of space available and amount of waste you can provide them.
For more information on getting started with your worm bin go here.
