Compost Discussion Thread (Merged Threads)

Lord_Gardener

No problem, or leave them under the tree to allow the minerals/nutrients to go back into the tree!

hoganrooster

why are worms trying to escape from the top of my compost bin? there must be at least 30 all at the top?

Bonbon

Sorry I can't help you ,but are they red worms?( yuk yuk yuk....i hate worms) I have the same problem with my compost bin and wondered it they were trying to escape because it's too warm inside. I'm looking forward to the answer as well.

alanobrien

hoganrooster wrote: »

why are worms trying to escape from the top of my compost bin? there must be at least 30 all at the top?

They migrate up through the heap to look for food so sometimes you end up with lots at the top which then escape down the sides. I had a great ball of them on the top this year. This is another reason why compost heaps are usually turned. Not easy with a "dalek" type so i tend to use a trench shovel to turn mine.

Bonbon

thanks alanobrien, i'll get someone else to have a poke around then!

LiamM_2

You may find that aerating the compost helps, either by using a fork / spade to try and 'turn' it. Or by using an aeration tool similar to that shown at the bottom of the page here : http://www.originalorganics.co.uk/composters.htm

Do you have a Wormery? The Worms may be of the right type to use in a Wormery.

absfabs

hoganrooster wrote: »

why are worms trying to escape from the top of my compost bin? there must be at least 30 all at the top?

I have always asumed they go up there when the compost heats up. Not sure, but wouldn't worry about it.

I don't turn or aerate my compost routinely. Usually rots down well within about 6 months, can be quite a bit quicker in the summer months.

The winter stuff tends to be slow, probably a bit too dry and not enough green stuff, with all the twigs, leaves and prunings. Don't see worms migrating in this normally, so I think it is the heat.

adouglasmhor

Above replies are right but red worms are Brandlings which are good for compost anyway, you can use them in a wormery if you want to make worm compost rather than ordinary compost.

hoganrooster

yes it is the dalek type, ive had it about 5 months now and aereate it reguarly. i do have another one with vents in the side which does not have the worms at the top!. so after reading the above posts is it worth turning the whole lot?

Bonbon

I've never heard of 'Brandlings ' but I'm pleased to know that they're good worms........
yuk, I can't believe I just said that I'm pleased about worms.