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Quick question for the composting experts

Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452
in Tools and techniques

My Dalek bin has been working really well and has a very healthy population of the little red compost worms. In the last week or two I have noticed that when I open the lid there are a lot of worms around the top rim of the bin as if they are trying to get out. The current compost level is about 6" below the rim so it must take considerable effort for them to get up there so I'm wondering why they are doing it. Any thoughts? 

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  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452

    Of course ! image I knew there'd be a simple explanation! 

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    Could your compost be too wet?
  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452

    image Maybe? It's moist but I wouldn't say wet. It's made of mostly kitchen peelings, hamster cage sawdust, shredded paper, a few soft weeds and prunings and an occasional layer of grass cuttings. I keep the lid on. 

  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452

    image Sorry Jo, missed your comment while I was posting. Didn't see any wellies but they all had shiny red wetsuits on! 

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Does your dalek have a tight fitting lid, I think they come up looking for air, it gets very hot in there. I have wood bins covered loosely with carpet then galvanised on the top when it's full. The plastic bins just have a very lose fit lid on  then so air can get in.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452

    The lid is loose-ish - not sure about them looking for air image

  • TLCTLC Posts: 5

    Sex, put a 12in plastic sheet on top of compost, will lay eggs on it, then go back down, compost too warm to lay eggs in, water bin.

    It worked for me.........TLC

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    It makes it a lot easier to scoop some out for the robin.

  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452

    Aha! Now there's a thought. Shiny red wetsuits and no wellies - I should have guessed they were up to something image Thanks TLC 

  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452

    I still have the problem of many many worms loitering in the lid even though there are also lots in the bin doing what they should do. I've just read in GW magazine that too much coffee grounds can upset them. Not sure how much counts as too much. I put a small bucket of kitchen waste in every couple of days and it usually includes 2 coffee filter papers and the grounds. Does that sound like too much? 

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