I have to admit I stirred around in the bucket today to look for the worms...to see if they're dead.
Most were at the bottom, look OK.

Could they be looking for more darkness?

Did you have a winter? 😆 😆
Barb

I don't know if there looking for darkness or not.

Yes, we had a short winter. I think it's almost over though.

Dean

Earthworms go deeper as soil temps increase in summer.
My basement has a warm floor, they'll warm as they go lower in the bucket.
Probably confuse them. 😆 😆

I think the most critical thing is to limit excessive moisture because there's no "drain" as there'd be in natural soil outdoors.

Since your bucket is in the garage, did you punch any small drain holes in it?
Barb

No, I didn't punch or drill any holes in the bucket.

Dean, from reading this article http://www.herper.com/earthworms/earthworms-culture.html
maybe we should add another dozen or two 😉
Barb

I'll consider putting some holes in the bucket. Thanks, for the link.

Dean

Oh oh, my basement's smelling like damp soil (yech!)
Husband said to get it out of there. 😥

Still too coolish for outdoors.
Maybe I'll just add another 3 doz worms, they'll get rid of the extra smelly stuff?
Or could I sprinkle some baking soda...seems to "sweeten" the dog's bed.

Barb

Barb,

How damp do you have the soil, Barb? He dosen't appreciate worms like you do, LOL! Wow, another three dozen worms! I don't think I would add any baking soda unless you've seen that written somewhere. The salts in the baking soda may do the worms in.

I still have mine alive and kicking. I used moistened peatmoss as the bedding medium. I fed them some bread , fruit, and dead vegetable seedlings then I put moistened newspaper on top. Sometimes when I raise up the newspaper there will be one on the top then he'll flee downwards.

Here is a website I found that has forums on worms. Enter on the left hand side where it says "New Forum Topics." I haven't joined it or anything, but I've been reading through some of the post. Seemed quite helpful. http://www.wormdigest.org/

Dean

Dean, that "herper.com" website suggested keeping it quite damp. I'm careful not to flood it 'coz without drain holes, they'd drown if they're at the bottom.
Nope, haven't read about baking soda...just thought it might absorb odor.
OK won't use it. Thanks for the warning.

dead vegetable seedlings

❓

I'll have a look at that site for anybody with an in-house system (and a husband who doesn't mind) 😆

Also, am I supposed to turn the bucket now and then to mix up the compost...
or would the worms object to the roller coaster ride?
Thanks.
Barb

Barb, your asking a newbie LOL! I'm not sure if you should mix it up or leave them be. I did read that they like to be left alone to acclimate to their new enviroment. My bucket dosen't smell. Did you add too much food, maybe. I also read that you want to maybe bury it under some wet shredded paper to keep away fruit flies, etc. Probally will help keep the smell down to.
🙂
Dean

That's a great website you sent. Thank you.
Man, there's even a story of finding a rare earthworm that normally grows to 3 feet.
At least she found parts of it!

And what a mistake digging up garden earthworms for an inside composter!
They said it was the wrong type of worm!
So my garden worms have likely died 😐 and the nightcrawlers probably ate them 🙁

Onward...

Stink” in a worm bin is a sign that too little oxygen is reaching part or all of the worm bin system. If you find an area that stinks, where food waste and/or bedding are very wet or compacted, you’ll want to mix in more dry bedding and reduce your feeding in the future.

So I'll add dry-ish newspapers to soak up excess moisture.
Still might buy another few dozen 'coz the original dozen aren't consuming enough before it stinks.
Barb

Barb, I enjoyed reading some of it, too. Good luck with drying it out a bit. Frome what I've read there are quite a few different kinds of worms. There are to name a few - red wigglers, manure worms, Canadian nightcarwlers, African nightcrawlers, European nightcrawlers, etc. When I got mine it just said nightcrawler on the box. So I don't know what temperature range they require. I'll guess I'll have to experiment with them.

Dean

Ya, good articles.
Did you read that 3-foot earthworm story?
The thing occasionally crawls on the ground...I call that a snake! 😯
Barb

No, I haven't read the 3' worm article, yet.

Got 2 doz more today.
Maybe they'll work harder in a big group 😀
Barb