First delivery of worms. I'm thinking this isn't normal :(

13 years ago

I ordered on Saturday, received a message that worms were sent on Monday and today they arrived. I immediately became concerned from the smell of the box. Here I thought there wouldn't really be a smell (other than earthy, wormy smells) if all is well. I don't think all is well though. The bag STINKS to the point of making my 8 year old literally gag and almost throw up in the sink. I opened the bag and there is a stringy stinky gooie mess at the top of the bag. I don't think I could even tempt a perch with this glob. I cut open the bottom of the bag and found 27 live worms in the dry bedding. I ordered a lb of worms. I emptied those into my 3 week old bin that is layered with nice moist partially composted cardboard (spent the summer as padding under the pool) and finished homemade compost. I hope these few make it, but I just wanted to make sure this wasn't normal before I email my problems. Complete newbie and I don't want to seem like an idiot, LOL. Here is what I found, sorry it's not very clear in the first picture. The second picture is the stringy, stinky mess that I put in one of my garden beds and watered to rinse then covered with compost 'in case' there are any survivors.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

chervena_chuska
13 years ago
Oh, how awful. Those are dying and dead worms, definitely. They smell awful and are gooey. Healthy worms don't smell bad. I would call and inform the seller that it appears the worms died en route. They should not be gooey like that. I've seen worms die like that when they are overfed and the bin doesn't have enough oxygen. Can't say that's what caused it, but those poor worms you got are are in a bad way.
momovtwo
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the response chervena, I've emailed the seller my problems. Fingers are crossed they get it corrected quickly. Sad day for my wormies and to think....the kids had already started naming them before they arrived, LOL.
I've put the bin with the survivors to bed, will check on their progress next weekend and if I still have life then I'll start feeding them :)
Related Discussions
I'm guessing thick blue smoke isn't a good sign?
Q
Comments (21)
baymee-- Unless this Lawn-Boy has a DuraForce engine (identifiable by the above-deck muffler), the only way I can think of to remove the fuel from the crankcase (other than letting the engine burn it out) is to remove the muffler and let the fuel drain out of the exhaust ports. For a DuraForce engine, you can either remove the exhaust transfer tube to let the fuel drain out of the exhaust port, or you can remove the cylinder head and lift up the back wheels. The air vane governor on these machines (i.e., "the contraption connected to the carb") does make carb removal an exercise in patience. Hope this helps.
...See More
I think I'm accidentally vermi-composting!!!
Q
Comments (13)
I used the black plastic bins to "compost" for years, and then 3 years ago I built a big bin, followed by two more last year. My conclusions: the plastic bins aren't large enough for hot composting. For all intents and purposes, they are outdoor garbage cans for organic matter. But that said, worms, pill bugs, centipedes, millipedes etc. will move in and break down the OM you put in it, it just takes longer. I used to empty these things once a year (usually in the fall to make room for more yard waste). On the plus side, what came out looked very much (and was) compost. On the down side, I usually got a lot of volunteer tomato plants, pumpkins etc. wherever I spread the compost. I actually just gave the last of my plastic bins to a neighbor - he was admiring the steam coming off my new bins and thought that was kinda cool. I figured I'd start him small ;o) Cheers, Tim
...See More
I think I'm going to quit gardening...
Q
Comments (35)
Actually with some money, and time , one can bring in sand, silt and compost to till into your soil. People do it ALL THE TIME around where I live. Hell around here one is considered lucky if you have clay to play around with. Most are bringing in truckloads of dirt from the bulk soil guy to build up 10" of soil ontop of their limestone. My sister lived on a lava flow. That was hard gardening too, but once amended she had some cool stuff. I am digging out a ditch in solid limestone marl. I am moving that marl to fill in some pot holes in my drive, wheel barrow by wheel barrow. Then I will fill it with dirt and also build a retaining wall so I can deepen the soil. Do I like that I have to do this,..NO, but it is what Is my lot to do. My land is beautiful but it has cr@p for soil. Do I make fun of it ,YES.I have made Marl the name for my inner beyatch (as they say down here). I have jokes about needing teeth protectors for pickaxing and how I want my very own jack hammer for Christmas ( that's not a joke). Do I whine about it? Maybe for short periods of time. Then I remind myself that this is MY CHOICE to do. MY choice to live her, . So, shut my yapper. If I don't like this I can take up theater, scuba diving, rock climbing, penuchle, bridge, map making, knitting, dying and spinning wool. Or I can sit on my back porch and look through my teary foggy eyes with my long island ice tea gripped in my fist and ponder about of what could or should be all afternoon long. Go ahead and quite gardening. Long extended whining will drive those around you nuts . Find something that gives you happiness and serenity , if soil amending is not your cup of tea, or MOVE to that perfect loamy lot. You might find ir infested with crazy ants and rattlesnakes.
...See More
Please tell me this isn't what I think it is
Q
Comments (61)
Here's some good info on trapping from our state AG/Extension site - emphasis added by me: "...Trapping—Trapping is an underrated method of controlling rodents. One reason trapping is often overlooked is that snap traps have been around for a long time and are cheap. Traps can be used to eliminate rats where poison baits would be dangerous, to avoid dead rat odors, and to eliminate bait-shy rats. It is important to place traps where the rats are. Rats and mice are used to human odors so there is no need to use gloves when handling traps. Since mice travel only 10–30 feet but rats travel 100–150 feet from harborages, more traps are needed to trap mice than rats in a house. Rats and mice also have different behavior around new objects. Rats are cautious, and it may be a week before they approach a trap. Mice are curious and will normally approach traps the first night. If you don't catch a mouse in the first few nights, the trap is in the wrong location. To help rats overcome trap shyness, place traps unset, in place, for several days. This allows rats to overcome shyness and results in better catches. Baited traps rely on the rat's being attracted for feeding. The bait must compete with other available foods, so no one bait is ever the best bait for all locations. Rodents living on garbage or spoiled food prefer something fresh. The following are some baits that have proven to be successful: Whole nuts for rats and mice. Raisins or grapes for roof rats. Sardines packed in oil for Norway rats. Peanuts or peanut butter for rats and mice (soak whole peanuts in water overnight; old peanut butter becomes rancid so replace it frequently). Dry rolled oatmeal is excellent for mice. Bacon squares. Small wads of cotton for mice and rats (they look for nest material). Gumdrops for mice. Baited traps should be set a right angles to rat runs (Figure 6). Traps can be nailed to rafters and beams to take advantage of areas where rats travel. Set traps along walls, behind furniture, and near holes. Remember to set traps where children and pets will not be hurt..." And lots more here: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/dh044
...See More
patrick1969
13 years ago
Slowly. Only 27 worms will be overfed in no time if you aren't careful. You might even leave them alone until the cardboard is gone, but that's very very hard to do.
plumiebear
13 years ago
Patrick, I hope you get a refund or a new batch of worms. Bummer for the kids. Keep us posted on how this gets resolved. Here are some links you might want to check out. The Mini worm bin is especially good for the kids. Just keep it in a box or bag so it's not exposed to light most of the time. I suggest getting a red LED flashlight or headlamp so you can look at the worms without hurting them with white light.

Worms purchased from online sellers: unpacking videos
Mini Worm Bin
Worm suppliers

Cheers,
Andrew
jonas302
13 years ago
Most sellers are pretty good hopefully it all works out if not post there name on here. Mail is probly a little slow due to the upcoming holidays and did it get unusually cold or hot on there trip freezing would definatly be bad
momovtwo
Original Author
13 years ago
I'm happy to report that a replacement batch arrived today. Sadly they spent a week in transit, likely due to the holidays, but other than a few dried worms they were all very happy to be home!! Placed them in my bin and within half an hour they have all migrated down.
Since the first 27 are still alive and kicking and I would say the bin is in great condition for these new worms... I'll officially call myself a vermicomposter :) Gosh, I hope I didn't just jinx myself, lol.
On another note.... my father in law gave us an old smoker, one of the tall ones like an Old Smokey. I'm thinking of converting it into a flow through project after the first of the year. Already has a grate and lid, so I'm thinking why not.....
Thoughts anyone? My main concern is rust, but I could line it with pond lining or a tarp like I've seen some do. It's metal, so definitely no direct sun if I should keep it outside. Plenty of time to play around with the idea :)
PRO
equinoxequinox
13 years ago
Smoker? Like there would be less beef jerkey in the world? That can't be good.

You may find covers are not necessary nor used by (any, some, a few) experienced vermicomposters. The solid sides will not be allowing in air. I do not know how far air penetraits into vermocompost. Maybe somebody does. The grate may be tricking you. I'm not convinced vermicompost actually sinks down to the grate. Also I am not convinced vermocompost actually falls through a grate. Certainly not with out assistance.

I would hate for the world to have less beef jerkey.

First delivery of worms. I'm thinking this isn't normal :(

Comments (7)

chervena_chuska

momovtwo
Original Author

Related Discussions

patrick1969

plumiebear

jonas302

momovtwo
Original Author

equinoxequinox

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

First delivery of worms. I'm thinking this isn't normal :(

Comments (7)

chervena_chuska

momovtwoOriginal Author

Related Discussions

patrick1969

plumiebear

jonas302

momovtwoOriginal Author

equinoxequinox

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

momovtwo
Original Author

momovtwo
Original Author