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Worms in compost

BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
in Wildlife gardening
Obviously, the more the merrier but I was topping up my dalek compost bin this morning and found a mass of worms at the top. I'm not worried but haven't seen such a volume of writhing wrigglies before (probably 2-3 cereal bowls worth).

Was it a mass orgy :o Or is there another reason why they're not getting on with the job of breaking down my stuff?
East Lancs
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Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Is it very dry or very wet further down?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    I'll check the bottom later @B3 but it was nicely moist the last time I got some out. It certainly won't be too dry.
    East Lancs
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    @Biglad I get masses of them on top of my bins if they get very warm, the worms seem to move away from the heat 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It used to happen when I used delek compost bins too - the lid was heavy with worms.
    A few years ago I got wooden compost bins and it doesn't happen anymore with them.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Biglad said:
    I'll check the bottom later @B3 but it was nicely moist the last time I got some out. It certainly won't be too dry.
    titter titter
    Devon.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    My question would be - is it too warm down below. My worms migrate to the top to try and escape the bin when it gets too hot for them. Maybe time to turn things over or start a new load somewhere else.
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,265
    @Hostafan1 you now resemble Frankie Howerd in my mind's eye :D 

    I hope so @Fire. That would mean that I've actually started to do it right ;) I'll investigate tomorrow. The weather just got worse and worse today so I swerved going back to check.
    East Lancs
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited February 2022
    I have a Hotbin, which I love, but the worms don't like the heat, which is a downside. I guess in a regular large heap Mr Worm can move about, up and down, in and out, more freely.

    Getting warm down below is fine @Biglad but don't alarm Mr Worm.

    I now have all sorts of new questions about various nutrients added to the compost heap.  There are some new phds waiting to be written.  :D
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    They are at the top looking for air,  plastic gets stuffy,  almost airtight,  Leave the lid off a bit or cover with carpet and something to hold it down. 
    As Pete says, best to use wood if possible where they can breath. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I can definitely see Michael Portillo peeping out.
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