WormCrazy
Think Global ~ Think Green
Specializing in Vermicomposting & Vermiculture
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Changing How We Recycle ~ One Worm At A Time!!!
Who Is That In My Worm Bin?
If you are new to worm composting, you may be surprised when you realize that the worms are not the only inhabitants of a worm bin. A worm bin is an entire ecosystem that exists in every worm bin no matter how large or how small and it all works in unison to make your food and paper waste turn into what is commonly called "Black Gold" or Vermicompost.
Most of these other inhabitants are actually beneficial for your bin, they work to help decompose things even faster. If you don’t see them right now, you can bet that sooner or later they will make an appearance. So plan on them being there as little helpers and just a part of your new eco-system...Most of these inhabitants will be helpful additions and most likely belong in the bin, but once in awhile you can get pests or vermin that are attracted to your bin and they can cause problems for the worms in your bin, so if you have any doubts about the inhabitants in the bin, be sure to check with us or your local worm farmer for a list of "The Good", "The Bad", and "The Ugly" and they will help determine if they will cause problems in your bin or if they are worm bin friendly decomposers. I certainly would not be surprised to find that some of these friendly “neighbor composters” show up over a period of time.
Keep you bin healthy and always be sure to keep lots of moist shredded newspaper and cardboard bedding on the top. This will cut down on some of the more troublesome creatures like fruit flies and gnats. Keep the bedding fluffed so they get oxygen and it is not too compressed or too wet. Only add food as they need it, the rule is your worms will eat one half of there body weight in decomposed food per day, but in the beginning it will be much slower so keep an eye on them and make sure they get the right amount. Remember they can not eat pretty fresh veggies and fruits, because they have no teeth!
Worms actually can only eat and live off of the bacteria and fungus that grows as the food naturally starts to decompose, so don't through it away when it gets a little yucky, that just means it is most likely perfect for your worms to start to feast on....
Most of these other inhabitants are actually beneficial for your bin, they work to help decompose things even faster. If you don’t see them right now, you can bet that sooner or later they will make an appearance. So plan on them being there as little helpers and just a part of your new eco-system...Most of these inhabitants will be helpful additions and most likely belong in the bin, but once in awhile you can get pests or vermin that are attracted to your bin and they can cause problems for the worms in your bin, so if you have any doubts about the inhabitants in the bin, be sure to check with us or your local worm farmer for a list of "The Good", "The Bad", and "The Ugly" and they will help determine if they will cause problems in your bin or if they are worm bin friendly decomposers. I certainly would not be surprised to find that some of these friendly “neighbor composters” show up over a period of time.
Keep you bin healthy and always be sure to keep lots of moist shredded newspaper and cardboard bedding on the top. This will cut down on some of the more troublesome creatures like fruit flies and gnats. Keep the bedding fluffed so they get oxygen and it is not too compressed or too wet. Only add food as they need it, the rule is your worms will eat one half of there body weight in decomposed food per day, but in the beginning it will be much slower so keep an eye on them and make sure they get the right amount. Remember they can not eat pretty fresh veggies and fruits, because they have no teeth!
Worms actually can only eat and live off of the bacteria and fungus that grows as the food naturally starts to decompose, so don't through it away when it gets a little yucky, that just means it is most likely perfect for your worms to start to feast on....
European Night Crawlers Basics
European Nightcrawlers or Eisenia Hortensis have some great qualities, like a long shelf life, remains in good condition at room temperature for about three weeks longer than most other fishing worms, they do not require heat and seem to thrive if conditions are a little on the cooler side, Euros are also at least twice the size of the common red wiggler or red worm, and they can reach sizes just slightly smaller then the African, and Canadian worm species. Since they are raised much the same way as the red wigglers, it would only make sense that they should soon be a major player in the composting world, and bait industries here in the USA.
The Scientific name is Eisenia Hortensis and the European Night Crawlers (Euros) are also known by many other names online and throughout the industry like "Super Reds, Belgian Crawlers, Big Reds, Carolina Crawlers, Giant Reds, Red Worm Giants, Champion Reds" and many other names.
Euros are relatively new worms in the United States. These worms were brought back to the US from Azerbaijan, When the Azerbaijan government was working on a project in vermiculture they were discovered and the rest is history, some say this might be the greatest multi-purpose worms ever seen, and it could one-day dwarf all others for composting & fishing use. Well at least we think so!
These are by far a "WormCrazy Favorite" and yes, they are more expensive, but well worth the price... we are sure that you will absolutely love them, even more than your "Red Wigglers"so dont be afraid to give these a try, they won't disappoint you!!!.
If you've not seen them yet or would like to give them a try, you can order just a pound to give them a try and get you started. They really multiply quickly...Just give us a call or email us and we can get you set up. We really,really,really do love ours and think you will too!
Happy Recycling,
WormCrazy!
