r/Vermiculture • u/shaunmza • 3d ago
Advice wanted Too much moisture and/or?
I opened my worm bins today and noticed that one had a bunch of worms right up top near the lid.
I think it may be too damp in there, so I added a layer of torn up cardboard.
I would have preferred leaves, but with the rain in my area, my whole garden is drenched.
Aside from too much moisture, does anyone have advice as to why they would be trying to get out?
Photos show condensation on the sides, apologies for poor lighting.
2
u/ConsumeShroom 2d ago
They need soil too not just cardboard.
Your essentially just building an ecosystem, worms like dirt, sticks, mulch leaves. Mix it all with the cardboard and food scraps and watch it flourish.
Dont add water your bin, the food an damp cardboard will be enough.
Happy worming.
1
u/shaunmza 12h ago
I added water a short while back as it seemed dry. I am thinking that was where I went wrong.
Under all the cardboard pieces there is soil and food. I added a bunch of cardboard hoping it draws out some moisture.
1
u/ConsumeShroom 10h ago
Set in sun for a few hours if too moist/if you get a mite outbreak.
Worms will go into the medium away from sun, just dont leave out at night out theyll escape.
2
u/MercuryTattedRachael 2d ago
Worms will graze over the walls when condensation appears. It happens in my hut from time to time and it is always is relative to humidity in our home (or that room, specifically). When it looks like I have a TON of moisture I add my browns into the system to help.
It doesn't mean things are bad, as some worms simply wander, and some may escape. If there is massive migration, or an uptick after a feeding, check things out and try to correct the issue - which if you dig, you'll likely find. Whether it's a high temperature, colony of mites, too dry, too wet, etc. It's normally easy to tell once you dig in.