Hi Steve! C. Morgan has a book on raising Nightcrawlers. I have it and its available. Google worm books and follow the link to Shields poblications. I found that Buss Bedding is better than the bedding that is supplied in the Magic Worm Ranch for breeding purposes. The food is ok just don't mix it in the bedding.I used mine all up and now I feed Oatmeal and powdered egg shells. Mixture is about 4 parts oatmeal to 1 part shells. Sprinkle on top dry and then spritz with fine mist (I use a mister from Walley World for inside plants adjustable from stream to mist.) The most important thing is the temp make sure to keep it between 50-60 deg F. Do not fluff the bedding let it settle and add more on top until it's about 6 inches deep. The buss bedding is all paper and cardboard very finly ground up so dampen it until you can squeeze a couple drops from a really tight squeez. That way you can spritz the dry food and it will take 4-6 feedings before you need to check along the long side down to the bottem for dampness only a trench an inch wide to stick the finger in. After 2-3 months dump and harvest out the breeders you should find cocoons and some small worms. Put old bedding with cocoons into new bin (can be plastic) and renew bedding for breeders and start second breeding session. larry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMNdnQZGoqo This looks similar. I have no means of magnification yet so I can't say for sure. If I did, I wouldn't be here lol. I just want a "this is what typically exists" type answer.

No, the entire can is filled with shredded tomato plants. Actually the problem seems to have gone away by itself. I added a layer of dead leaves to the top of the pile and now I don't see the critters. Basically I'll just leave it be over the winter and toss and check every now and then. Worst case scenario is that I have a can full of useless soil. Best case scenario is that I'll have a can full of nice composted soil. I have another can going that I filled with compostable food leftovers; IE banana skins, coffee grinds, egg shells and the like. This is my first attempt at composting; I'm such a newbie that I referred to it as mulching when I should have said composting.

I’ve had regular mealies, but not root. I use rubbing alcohol and spray the plant. With mealies I think you may have to use a systemic drench like Bayer All in one rose and flower concentrate. Systemics are poisonous so they kill the good and the bad. I use it every once in awhile and take note of the succulents I’ve used them on. So when they bloom I cut the flowers to make sure no pollinators drink from those flowers. Quarentine your affected plants becuse those pests will find their way to other plants. Hopefully others will have more advice to give:).