Even though I knew better, we had a worm escape this weekend. Red wiggler compost worms generally stay in the bedding as long as things are going well. You don’t even need a lid on the bin. But… when compost worms are first put into new bedding — and especially if it’s nice and humid (like after a rain) — they’ll sometimes go on the prowl in a serious way. Here some are making their way out of the bin:
I visited my outdoor bins to find the redworms wandering every which way. I even caught a couple about 2 feet up a tree! They were on their way down by the time I snapped a photo, but still… Worms in trees?
Like I said, compost worms generally only wander off when they’re first placed in new bedding, or if conditions in the bin get bad (overfeeding, etc.) A partial solution to make them stay put while they’re first adjusting is to keep a light over the bins. Like most worms, Eisenia fetida avoid light when they can. I rigged up a makeshift dusk-to-dawn light over the bin, and the problem was mostly solved.
So… serious lesson (re-)learned here. When you first set up a bin, it’s a very good idea to keep a light over it for a few days. Once the compost worms have settled into to their work of vermicomposting, they generally stay put. But if the bedding is new and the night is moist, they might go for a wander…
Diane Skov said,
May 31, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
Periodically, my worms take off and I don’t know why. I have a lid so light isn’t the factor. I can’t figure out a common denominator; too wet, too much/not enough food, too many worms….. I’ve only been keeping worms for 10 years so am still learning, sorry to say. I can’t find any discussion on the web, but yours, and I know my issue isn’t unique to me. Any other advice, but new bedding and light issues? Thanks, Diane
two dishes said,
June 22, 2008 @ 7:45 am
Wow. We are in Manhattan trying to compost under our sink and just had 99 of them escape during their first night. Thanks for your advice.
jaseroberts said,
June 23, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
Hi Diane, it’s my impression that no one is *exactly* sure why you’ll get an occasional worm escape event. I’ve definitely noticed that a fresh rain seems to get their wanderlust going, but that’s not the entire story. When I kept them in bins in the basement, I never had any issues. As far as I can tell, it’s all about keeping conditions favorable for them — good temperature, enough bedding, not overfeeding, etc.
When you first put compost worms in new bedding, that seems to be the greatest chance for a full on worm escape. keeping a light on can help. I had a bin of them ready to sell a couple weeks ago and they all started heading out. I sprinkled a little salt on the rim, which halted them in their tracks (hopefully without killing any). Good luck!
jaseroberts said,
June 23, 2008 @ 4:38 pm
Two dishes, I’d try rigging up a light under that sink that you can keep on for a few nights while the compost worms settle in. Even a little LED night light plugged into a short extension cord would probably do the trick (with very little risk of starting a fire). Once they settle into their bedding and get down to eating, you shouldn’t have problems.