Cause of worm migration (Vermiculture (Worms))

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A while back we were discussing herd migrations in the worm bins and possible causes. Dryness, light , carbon dioxide and temperature and over population were all suggested. Since then I have experienced another cause of migration and this is supported by two texts on the subject. Red mite infestation will trigger a migration when the mites icrease to a level to be toxic to the worms. I had increased the water saturation in one of my production bins to above 95% in an attempt to speed up the decomposition process. Instead the extra moisture increased the mite infestation to an approximation of 150 + per square inch of surface, causing the worms to migrate. To remedy the situation I had to dry the medium outside in the sun, which killed of the infestation and seperate the worms that survived to a fresh bin. I short harvested the castings and burned the remnant bedding material. After pasteurizing the harvested vermicompost in the solar oven box , all the mites are gone. Washed out the infested bin and let it sun dry to eliminate any remaining mites and reseeded it with bedding and worms. I will now maintain water saturation at 60 to 75% as advised in my references and utilize more "pasture space" when I need to increase production.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), June 07, 2001

Answers

Well, Jay, I'm the one who was talking about alien worms, because of their migratory ways. Your experience could explain their behavior in trying to escape the too-wet bedding. But after I put them in a new bin, with new bedding, they still were trying to migrate. Any thoughts on that?

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), June 08, 2001.

The red mites still on the worms could be a migration trigger keeping them on the move.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), June 08, 2001.

Yeah, I wondered about that after I posted. So what's the solution to that -- give all the wormies a bath?

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), June 08, 2001.

After moving the worms to fresh bedding, pH it to slightly acidic and keep the moisture at 60 to 75%. a ground up orange peel or a few drops of lemon juice can be used to do it.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), June 09, 2001.

Worms are squishy, slimy and they taste like CHICKEN!! >:P Thats my say Thanx Bye

-- Heather Kozack (pilsburypizzaboo@hotmail.com), March 28, 2002.


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