#1 Bugs in the worm farm, what are they doing in there? Will they destroy my herd? Read up on them in this article.

"A mere teaspoon of good garden soil, as measured by microbial geneticists, contains a billion invisible bacteria, several yards of equally invisible fungal hyphae, several thousand protozoa, and a few dozen nematodes."

From "Teaming with Microbes", Lowenfels and Lewis

Not this kind of Worm Farmer.

Vermiculture, commonly known as "Worm Farming", is the creation of an ecosystem designed to support composting worms (Red Wigglers are the preferred worms for composting) for the purpose of transforming organic waste into a usable form. Fertilizer is that usable end product, it is the bodily waste of composting worms, manure in other words in the form of "Castings". It is a living ecosystem with millions if not billions of active participants, in this article I will describe some of them and explain what they add to the composting system.

Starting with Bacteria which is the most numerous of organisms in the system, and also the most prominent primary composters in the world. They secrete enzymes that break down the bonds which hold the organic materials molecules together. Bacteria reduces the materials to their component elements, simplifying the waste making it available to the other organisms in the ecosystem, enabling the earthworms to consume what is then rotted matter.

Actinomycetes are a higher form of bacteria with many noteworthy characteristics. The smell of fresh soil is one of the contributions of this higher level of bacteria, they also create the benefits that are derived from Humus, (the dark organic material in soil). They work deep in the dirt converting organic materials into a form of Peat, releasing nitrogen and carbon which make it ready for mixing into the topsoil. Creating antibiotics many non-beneficial bacteria populations decrease as the Actinomycetes increase.

Here are some Actinomycetes now.

Protozoa digest microbes, which are rich in amino acids and minerals are deposited into the compost after it travels through their digestive systems. Plants use the nutrients directly from the soil, which is the basis for production of chlorophyll, duplication of DNA, and protein chemistry basic to plant growth.

Common in a healthy worm environment are Molds and Fungi, they present no threats to the ecosystem or any of the animals living in it. Fungi are simple plants, unable to produce their own carbohydrates due to lacking the chlorophyll that other higher-level plant forms contain. Fungi include yeasts, molds, and mycelium. Eating the decaying organic materials secreting enzymes which break down the organics simplifying dead plant life. They too are a source of food for our composting worms as well as for the other organisms in the farm. Large amounts of Mold and Fungi are an indication of the system containing more food than what can be managed in the proper amount of time. Feed rates should be decreased when this condition appears. Being no threat to the worm bin, molds and fungi may cause irritation to humans suffering from allergies to molds. If this is the case the Compost bins should be kept outdoors, in a garage, or a well-ventilated basement which will eliminate the irritation.

Nematodes are small, semi-transparent, unsegmented roundworms that mineralize the nutrients contained in bacteria and fungi. Throughout planet earth there exists at least 20,000 species of the tiny lucent creatures, several species will be in the worm farm. For the most part, they are beneficial in the eco-system breaking down nutrients in mold and fungi making them readily usable to the plants.

Anthropods are invertebrates having an external skeleton (exoskeleton), segmented body, and appendages with joints. Included among them are insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and beetles. Living in the soil and upper composting areas among the organic litter. They are instrumental in controlling the rate of litter decomposition in the worm composter.

Continuing on with other Arthropods and Organisms.

Potworms are small white worms very common in soil, they are able to expand into massive size populations in compost piles or in earthworm farms. They are segmented relatives of the earthworms known scientifically as "enchytraeids", (pronounce: enn-kee-Tray-ids). Easily confused with baby red worms, however, a closer look will reveal a Potworm is white, and red worm babies are reddish from the moment they are born. The need to worry about an overpopulation in the worm farm driving the composting red wigglers out is unfounded. As is with most of the organisms in the bed they reside peacefully with the worms posing no danger to them. They are much like their composting cousins inhabiting rich organic environs being efficient at breaking down organics and aerating the soil. They like an acidic habitat that is moist, it is common to see them appear after acidic materials are added to the bin. The fermented starchy matter will attract them as well, if the medium is too dry they will die. In the event a farm is over-run, bread soaked in milk left in the bin will attract them. The milk soaked bread may then be lifted out and disposed of, the Potworms will cling to it, repeat as often as needed. They prey on Nematodes, but other than having a tendency to overpopulate and aerate the soil they are really minimal contributors to the farm. 

This is the only color of Earwig I have seen.

Earwigs are wingless small insects, they come in a variety of colors. White is the most common, followed by yellow, red, green, orange and lavender, those in my bins are a weird copper color. Harmless to earthworms they feed on mold, fungi, bacteria, and decomposing organic materials. They are capable of "springing" about 75mm (3-inches) by means of a small spring-like apparatus under the midsection that causes them to leap when disturbed. They thrive in a moist bed, with their numbers decreasing as the bedding dries out. A large population may drive the worms deep into the beds, keeping them from coming to the surface to feed. Earwigs are a nuisance in the environment because they feast on the worms food, they are dealt with in the same manner as we deal with Mites, (detailed below).

Mites are the most common bug to show up in the worm bins playing an important role in decomposition. A worm farm normally contains several species of Mites, small, normally whiteish brown, to reddish brown in appearance. Eating the worms food they are otherwise harmless to their bin companions, however, when Mites are overpopulated they will drive the worms underground keeping them from feeding and reproducing. Mite populations increase due to feeding overly moist food to the colony, or the bedding is too wet. To test for moisture take a small amount of bedding and squeeze it, a few drops should drip out if the moisture is correct, if more drips add shredded paper to the bed. An inexpensive moisture meter may be employed as well, they are readily available on the internet. (A moisture meter will record a level of 60%-75% when the conditions are correct). On a higher note, if there are few Mites it is an indication your bed is in good condition for the worms to multiply. If there are a lot of Mites the bed needs attention, most likely reducing moisture, which is effective in controlling Earwigs also.

(Follow this Link to Natures Footprint page on worm farming.)

There are a total of 40 different residents of a worm farm, I have listed 20 above, in my next article, I will list the additional 20. It is to our advantage to know and understand what comprises our gardens and vermicomposters. Most of the inhabitants of the bins are beneficial unless of course, they become overpopulated, but even then we can deal with them effectively. However, there is that rare occasion when disaster can strike and kill off an entire colony. There are plenty of larger predators that are eager to gain access to the worms, we need to guard against them also. Household pets (unless they are lizards) generally pay no attention to the worm farms.

I had found a plastic bin floating down the river past my house two years ago, it was set up to be a worm farm from its appearance. I did notice the air holes were on the large size but I thought I would be able to compensate for that with an inside cover of cardboard. I am not sure how long the cardboard lasted, I was asleep when the mice attacked. Penetrating the cardboard like it was cheese, they ate every worm in the bin, when they were finished it looked as if small rototillers had turned over the bedding. If it was one mouse he must have grown three sizes, however, I'm sure there were many more than that from the condition they left the box. The air holes should not be larger than 1/4-inch in diameter.

Some Worm Farms are huge, others, like mine, are not.

Thank you for reading and sharing, be sure to read my next article which will be published on June 26. I will be describing the remaining 20 beneficial and not so beneficial occupants of our man made worm environments. Leave a comment with suggestions, questions or stories about your worm farming experiences. Thanks again.

jacquesandkate  Emergencykitsplus.com