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Vermicomposting

? How to avoid heating in worm bin ?

19 years ago

I've been meaning to post this question for a while but kept forgetting until ShenValleyJoe mentioned it in his thread "Well this isn't good."

A couple of times now I've noticed a feeding was warm(not really hot hot but certainly heated)after I had fed it to the bin and was wondering how to avoid this. I pocket feed so when feedings do warm up I always figured that the worms would find a cooler spot to hang. Until it was mentioned in the thread about cocoons I hadn't even considered them.

How do I avoid heating?

and

Just how much heat does it take to kill a cocoon?

Cass:)

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Comments (4)

squeeze
19 years ago
the heat has to be pretty high to be a problem, and is only a real problem when the heat encompasses a large area, like most of the bin - otherwise they can take quite a bit, and they will back off if they want - I always have worms workin in my hot compost bins that get very hot and are turned weekly, they're mostly lower down, and around the sides - grinnin and slurpin!! I also transfer compost sometimes to a worm bin, and they don't blink even if it's all still quite warm

Bill
Kelly_Slocum
19 years ago
When heating occurs in a home bin you can just about count on the fact that it is pocket fed. Heat requires mass and some insulation, both of which are better supplied by massing food in one spot down in the bedding than when food is spread in a thin layer over the surface of the bin contents then covered with an equally thin layer of new bedding, as is done in top-feeding. If heating is a regular problem for you then consider the top-feeding method.

As for cocoons, these little structures and the developing young inside are barely impacted by the heating in a large backyard compost pile, let alone the lower heat achieved in a low-mass worm bin. Cocoons can survive drying; heating (to temps in excess of 115 degrees F); long-term submergence (more than two years); freezing for extended periods; and ingestion by animals, even ruminant animals, like cows and goats (provided they make it past the teeth). In response to stressful conditions outside the young within the cocoon slow development, completing developmnent when exposed to conditions more favorable to worm activity.

You can feel confidently that the heat in your bins has had no measurable impact on your cocoons.

Kelly S
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A compost bin and a worm bin are two different things. Many of us have both. What you are suggesting sounds like some sort of hybrid and it won't work for a variety of reasons. If you are going to spend the money for a pound of worms, you probably want to give them the best environment for survival, which is not a bed of compost. See the vermicomposting forum (starting with the FAQs) for info on how to set up a bin, and then search it for 'Kelly Slocum' (former expert poster) for the very best info on worm care. You'll also find info and photos of the types of worm species (usually red wigglers) that are used for worm bins. I have a compost bin with a solid plastic bottom on a large patch of aspalt because that's the space I have available. There are no worms in my bin during the hot phase because it's too hot for them. But during the cold phase, I have quite a few worms in the bins. I don't know exactly how they get there, but somehow they manage. I do know that they can slip through extremely small spaces, like fine netting. So I think you also will have some worms find their way into your compost bins if it is cool and moist enough.
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My bins are doing the same thing! After temps in the 40s last week, it's suddenly 96 today! Yesterday, when it started heating up, I brought my bins inside and put them under the kitchen sink. Today, they're really warm inside and creating a lot of condensation...I can't seen any worms because it's really dark in the cupboard, but I tried shoving ice cubes down into the bedding, evenly spaced to cool it off. I'll try leaving the lid off to let it air out and maybe more ice cubes...I don't have any frozen water bottles handy, but I'll get some started for tomorrow. I've only had worms for a few weeks! I don't want to lose them! There were a lot of great suggestions in this topic, so thanks!
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Anisten
19 years ago
Thank you Kelly for once again setting things straight. Personally it seems my worms don't have issues with warmer areas in my bin and if they do its up to them to mooooooove out of the way.
Cassblonde
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks Kelly...I have been thinking of top feeding more and more lately. Maybe once I harvest and set up in a new bin.

Cass:)

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