Does anyone raise worms?

[JoJo 95]

Just decided to start a vermiculture bin in my room. I need some help from any composters. Any tips you may have such as where to get worms, best way to set-up a bin, different techniques, best worm types, and things like this would help. thanks for your help.

 

[homesteadingcowgirl]

not yet, but I am getting some in a couple of weeks. There is actually a lot of info. on the internet regarding this, with lots of pics. Good luck. Here's one: http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/Redwormsedit.htm

cowgirl

 

[JoJo 95]

cool

 

[missred871]

we have been raising worms for about 10 years. We dont use "official" composting per say we started our bins with layers of leaves and any kind of food trash that did not have grease in it. As grease will kill them. They absolutely LOVE fruit pulp from our juicers. You can use any biodegradable foods, potatoes, tomato peels, watermelon rinds, etc. As far as where to get worms, we started ours from about 3 packs of large reds from our local bait and tackle shop. They can also be found in most WalMarts if you dont have a bait store. This is much cheaper than purchasing from the internet and shipping though I have come across a website that has amazing prices I cannot remember the name of it I may look it up later and repost. I wouldnt really rely big time on any composting sites or anything, If you use a lot of leaves and leftovers and keep them mixed well they will work wonders on it, pretty soon there wont be any leaves anymore only soil which they will make out of the leaves. I do not suggest having a worm bin in the house though, the worms dont stink but the compost sure can, also it is easier for the compost to break down in the heat than in a home. I hope this info helps. We have a thriving 2 box worm colony right now and we have several hundred that are over 3 inches in length and about 1/4 of an inch thick. WOO HOO. Ants are a big enemy of the worms but if you get some baby oil and spray it around the edges of your worm box NOT IN IT...BABY OIL IS TOXIC TO THE WORMS but around the outer rim of the box. It is toxic to the ants, they will die nearly instantly and they will not cross the oil line. You can also squirt it on a mailbox that is infested with ants or on the ant mounds themselves

have fun ant farming

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

I dont know any thing about this. But I will be watching this thread.

My sons headstart class has a worm bin in his class room, and I didnt smell any thing coming from it. I always thought they smelled bad. That is why I have never started one. Because I dont have a garage to put them in.

Hope to learn lots from this thread.

Edited because I cant seem to spell tonight.

 

[JoJo 95]

yea i've been told by plenty of sources that said they don't smell but my house's conditions could be different. as I've never done this i guess I'll just use trial and error. Keep posting please

 

[flgardengirl]

I am planning on vermicomposting underneath my rabbit hutches. It stays fairly cool under there because it is under a covered carport in deep shade. I got 4 rabbits specifically so I could start worm beds. We have started building bins from pallet wood. They will be half buried in the ground to keep it cooler and wood is a poor conductor of heat so that should help as well. I grow lots of tropical plants and they do really well with rich worm compost. Plus you can make worm compost tea.

 

[bockbock2008]

Quote:
I have NO idea what this is, nor do I think I want to. ugh!!

ETA: OK. I googled it and found out what it REALLY is. But that just sounded nasty!

 

[ScrambledAcresFarm]

That's funny!
I did major research a few years ago and discovered European Nightcrawlers are selling like hotcakes! They stay wiggling on your hook even 30 minutes after being plunged into 30 degree water!

 

[JoJo 95]

Anyone know where to buy the little creatures?