Worm problem diagnosis

I have a wormery that looks like this.

Last year, I put it into action in March, and by July I was able to cycle it once, completely.  But shortly after that we had a near miss with dryness, because of the summer heat, and I opened it in August to discover no redworms, but instead mealworms.  Poof!

It took me a bit to figure out that what had probably happened, was that I'd somehow killed off my worms, and the beetles (adult forms of mealworms) detected a food source for their larvae, and that's how I got mealworms.  Interesting that it wasn't until I let the mix go dry that I had a mealworm problem.  But how did the worms die?

Possible culprits I know about: lack of moisture, lack of balanced waste mix, temperature.  I don't think it was the first two, since I'd managed since March.  But it might have been a combination of dryness and temperature.  So what's the temperature supposed to be?  I haven't yet bought a worm book (concentrating on other less disturbing issues - it's tough admitting you've killed several hundred pets) but yesterday Garden Tips & Ideas made a reference to keeping 'the right temperature'.  Aha!  So I asked, and got an answer!

The ideal temperature   for a worm farm is between 4ºC (40ºF) and 30º C (85ºF). Too cold and the   worms will freeze while too warm they will begin to cook. Happy worm farming.

I hope it will be.  This is a promising bit of data, since our highs right now (anniversary of the worm 'recycling') are in the low 90s, with high 70's at night.  The wormery is a dark color.  (Trying hard not to think about agonies of worm deaths while I sleep in a lovely AC'd house - failing.) 

I think I need to move it farther into the shade in summer, and make sure it never dries out.  Come October, when temps definitively cool off again, I'll order another batch of worms and try again.  (I can get them instate, now!) They may have to move into the garage if we get a cold snap in February.  I also have an instant pH tester now, which also tests temperature and moisture, so I should do better.

 

Comments

[Stuart]

Wow! I can see why it's called the "Chalet" - gorgeous piece of architecture. All the best with the new worms when you get them.