By Dave_p
Cheshire, United Kingdom
compost bin
I have 2 plastic compost bins with lids when I take the lid of to put in more waste the lids are covered in worms is this normal or should I leave lids off to let some air in ?
- 22 Jan, 2014
Answers
thanks for that BH so I should leave the lids on?
22 Jan, 2014
Erm, I disagree I'm afraid. If the worms are up in the lid, its because they're trying to escape a very toxic environment, so it seems the balance of your compost is out of whack, and the worms don't want to stay in it. It's likely the balance of waste you've put in wasn't right and it may now be highly acidic, too acidic for worms. This can also happen if the compost gets extremely hot, but at this time of year, I wouldn't have thought that likely, but it might do if you're turning every couple of days. Either that or its completely waterlogged - you may need to 'sweeten' it with lime or garotta or something, or add more of what its lacking.
22 Jan, 2014
If the worms are thin red ones,they are Brandling worms..and they either die off when it gets really cold,or go further down to keep warm..They don't appear,or seem to live in the soil outside,but I get lots of them ,both in and around the top of my compost bin..As it is still fairly mild as yet,you will still see some around the lid..Don't worry about them,keep the lids on,and you should have good compost ..unless of course,it is soggy or too dry,as suggested...so give it a turn over...I have no problems with my compost,and never added anything to it..it just does it's own thing..
22 Jan, 2014
thanks bamboo and bloomer, that leaves me in what to do next situation
22 Jan, 2014
I get them and do nothing. Compost happens eventually.
A bit of lime woin't hurt if you've got some bit I don't.
22 Jan, 2014
I get loads of them, as Bamboo says more noticable in the summer, at this time of the year they do usually stay hidden away and I spot them if I do a quick turn of the top layer of compost but they have been up near the top this year because its been so mild, if you do think your compost might be a bit too soggy add a layer of shredded paper but don't use glossy pages as it doesn't rot down, I always empty my hoover waste and the fluff out of the tumbledryer into mine as well, I personally wouldn't leave the lid off....
22 Jan, 2014
I put my shredded personal papers in too,plus vacuum waste..makes for a good balance to soak up excess moisture..if too dry,just water it a little,it won't rot down otherwise..
22 Jan, 2014
thanks all again for your help and comments
23 Jan, 2014
Yea, you're right, Dave p, it does leave you in 'what to do next' situation. The thing to do is work out whether anything is wrong, and what that wrong thing is - too wet, do as the others say, too dry, add water, if its smelly, use a bit of lime or compost activator (garotta) and give it a good turning or stirring to try to correct it.
23 Jan, 2014
thanks bamboo
23 Jan, 2014
I also have 2 compost bins with loads of brandlings in and around the top of the bins.I just leave them alone,add shredded newspaper to the mix and let nature do the rest.I occasionally take the lids off,add some water,bit of a stir,replace the lids and that`s it.Good luck.
25 Jan, 2014
thanks Huff
25 Jan, 2014
Previous question
I wouldn't worry about it, Dave. It shows that the bins have a nice, humid atmosphere and the worms probably go up and down into the compost as they wish.
22 Jan, 2014