Worm castings cannot substitute for fertilizer. They do have nutritive value, but not like a fertilizer would. They not only add some nutritive value to the soil, they add humus, and microbial activity, which makes the soil healthier, which in turn makes your plants better able to utilize the nutrients in the soil. I have 4 worm bins, and trust me, none of them cost me $100. I started out with one, and the worms multiplied, which is how I've ended up with 4. You don't have to buy a fancy "worm condo." Get a 10 gallon tote at Walmart for $3.50, poke some holes in it, and buy a pound of worms for $20, and you're good to go. And I have not found my worm venture to be "gross." It's actually pretty interesting, and a good way to dispose of your food waste and junk mail while benefitting your plants. Deanna

I kinda wish chuckiebtoo had shared his plans with me ahead of time. I am actually a budding square dance caller.

"most amazing things" including the part where a poster chimed in with the whole dog poop in a crock pot venue. That would be the second most stunning on my list. The most stunning was a few years of late night on some posting area I called the bathroom because the tile or venue kept changing randomly. The topic was history specifically wars and tactics. Think Chuck Noris vs Yoda but with countries and wars of history to way back when. Usually the room was populated by only two or a few people chatting. Strangely each person took the time to address and sign off of each post with who to and who from despite a marked lack of people in the room. After a few years discussing military strategy every night of every war ever fought, and the pros and cons of every military action and if it worked or not since the dawn of man one poster said they had to go practice violin. Poster two of this multi year discussion said something like "bet that does not increase your chances of picking up the girls. hint hint wink wink" Poster two replied, "I am a girl." After many years I do not believe another sentence was ever uttered between the two. I think it was a great loss of two minds and lots of information shared. But boiling up poop is a close second in my book.

With the mustard solution, worms come to the surface within 15 minutes. If they don't, wait a while and try it again another day. By worms "disappearing" it means they will die and decompose. In your garden it shouldn't be a problem. But if your dead worm concentration is too high, they will make a slimy mess in the pot. If you can repot, that's what I would do. I think that should take care of most of the problem. You can always get more red worms if you want to start composting. There is a lot of stuff online about worm composting. It's easy but you do have to keep at it or the worms will die. Dryness and high or low pH are the enemy of worms. But I don't know the ideal conditions for growing lemons, you wouldn't want to hurt your tree trying to get rid of the worms. Repotting seems like the easiest thing to do, or try the mustard treatment or an electrical probe, which I had never heard of! Cooperative Extension may be able to recommend a less toxic chemical treatment, one that breaks down easily. Pyrethrum is a good insecticide in that respect, but as I copied above, apparently it doesn't kill worms. Of course that is a GOOD thing if you are using it in your garden!