Would these red wigglers live successfully with night crawlers in the 4 bin Worm Factory 360? I undertand that each variety of worm has its good points in composting.
1170434
The main difference between red wigglers and and the earthworm/nightcrawler is in what they eat. The nightcrawler/dew worm eats soil, a red wiggler eats decaying matter. Red wigglers like manure, vegetable matter, rotten fruit, etc. They will actually eat your kitchen waste. They also tend to live closer to the surface of the soil compared to nightcrawlers (in the top 6 inches or so) and can tolerate a more crowded environment and higher temperatures. For this reason, red wiggler worms are also referred to as compost worms. If I were you, I'd put nightcrawlers in the garden (to aerate the soil) and red wigglers in the compost bin. The main difference between red wigglers and and the earthworm/nightcrawler is in what they eat. The nightcrawler/dew worm eats soil, a red wiggler eats decaying matter. Red wigglers like manure, vegetable matter, rotten fruit, etc. They will actually eat your kitchen waste. They also tend to live closer to the surface of the soil compared to nightcrawlers (in the top 6 inches or so) and can tolerate a more crowded environment and higher temperatures. For this reason, red wiggler worms are also referred to as compost worms. If I were you, I'd put nightcrawlers in the garden (to... » Read More The main difference between red wigglers and and the earthworm/nightcrawler is in what they eat. The nightcrawler/dew worm eats soil, a red wiggler eats decaying matter. Red wigglers like manure, vegetable matter, rotten fruit, etc. They will actually eat your kitchen waste. They also tend to live closer to the surface of the soil compared to nightcrawlers (in the top 6 inches or so) and can tolerate a more crowded environment and higher temperatures. For this reason, red wiggler worms are also referred to as compost worms. If I were you, I'd put nightcrawlers in the garden (to aerate the soil) and red wigglers in the compost bin. « Show Less
1170435
The main difference between red wigglers and and the earthworm/nightcrawler is in what they eat. The nightcrawler/dew worm eats soil, a red wiggler eats decaying matter. Red wigglers like manure, vegetable matter, rotten fruit, etc. They will actually eat your kitchen waste. They also tend to live closer to the surface of the soil compared to nightcrawlers (in the top 6 inches or so) and can tolerate a more crowded environment and higher temperatures. For this reason, red wiggler worms are also referred to as compost worms. If I were you, I'd put nightcrawlers in the garden (to aerate the soil) and red wigglers in the compost bin.
1170436
I'm know nothing about worms, but I found this article for you. http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worms/do-euros-and-red-worms-get-along/Without reading it, basically they'll live together fine since they are in the same species of worm. Only con with mixing is if you're a worm farmer wanting to sell one select specie. Reds better at composting, night crawlers at aerating soil.
1584289
I'm not sure. They may get sick and toss their cookies each time you tumble the composter. The instruction/directions don't mention worms, so I would keep the worms in the garden soil.
1714209
Sorry to say, I gave up and moved my worms to a flower bed where there is more room for them. Where I live the weather made it hard to keep them alive!
1859928
Composter was a gift to son for Christmas. he loves it and composts LOTS. has never had a bug or rodent problem; lives near a canyon in southern CA full of skunks etc. no intrusions at all.
1251393
Thanks you for your quick response. Bit I guess I still don't quite understand. The directions say to either use them on primary runs (which I guess are the little ridges just below the surface), exploratory runs (which I didn't understand), or in the deep tunnels (which I guess is right inside the little volcanoes or mounds they dig. I have tons of mounds, so I thought I'd drop the worms in there first, unless that is not the best option. Right now, I've smashed all the mounds down and will check which ones reappear. Thanks again.
2260489
I also live in AZ. Walmart (at least the one by me) doesn't have red wigglers specifically. They do have a selection of worms but if you are vermicomposting you really want to have the red wigglers. Other worm species burrow deep and are better for aerating soil than for composting... and some just make good bait. After extensive searches for local red wigglers and finding only a few choices locally, that wanted $60-$75 for a pound, I'm going with these. I only need so many to start with and they reproduce quickly. I've heard good things about the seller (Jim's) and even if they don't survive the initial shipping, they will take care of you and get you new worms... I also live in AZ. Walmart (at least the one by me) doesn't have red wigglers specifically. They do have a selection of worms but if you are vermicomposting you really want to have the red wigglers. Other worm species burrow deep and are better for aerating soil than for composting... and some just make good bait. After extensive searches for local red wigglers and finding only a few choices locally, that wanted $60-$75 for a pound, I'm going with these. I only need so many to start with and they reproduce quickly. I've heard good things about the seller (Jim's) and even if they don't... » Read More I also live in AZ. Walmart (at least the one by me) doesn't have red wigglers specifically. They do have a selection of worms but if you are vermicomposting you really want to have the red wigglers. Other worm species burrow deep and are better for aerating soil than for composting... and some just make good bait. After extensive searches for local red wigglers and finding only a few choices locally, that wanted $60-$75 for a pound, I'm going with these. I only need so many to start with and they reproduce quickly. I've heard good things about the seller (Jim's) and even if they don't survive the initial shipping, they will take care of you and get you new worms... « Show Less
1851146
Red wrigglers are known as Eisenia Fetida not 100% sure for these ones . As far as I know you can't have them too cold .
1971571
I live in a guest house so its not large. I sat one on top of the entertainment center in the living room just to see if they really work before opening the second one. If you read my initial review...it worked great! I never put one in the kitchen at all and haven't seen any of the moths for weeks! I think it's time to put the second one out simply because this one is totally full of the little buggers! These are wonderful!
472590
Hi, Joan, No they will not help with the worms. The trap consists of sticky coated surfaces and a pheromone lure that attracts the adult moths only. The moths fly into the trap after the lure and get trapped on the sticky surface. Unless you throw out the foodstuff that's infested with the larvae (worms), they will eventually develop into moths which will get caught in the trap. It's best to track down the infested food and throw it away and use the traps for residual moths. Good luck!
682152
No issues with vermin so far. The units have been operational for 3 years in an urban/suburban setting with an infinite army of highly coordinated vermin (rats, mice, raccoon and opossum) that seemingly figures out how to get into everything else! 1st rule of composting: Nothing from anything with a face in the bin!
1374366
Worms need bedding (newspapers, cardboard, coconut coir, peat moss, ect) for the majority of their habitat. Kitchen scraps exclusively would be too hot. I live in TX and my worms do fine in the heat, just keep them moist (wrung out sponge).
1225730
I didn't read about the worms. Haven't noticed them. Of course, I grind them and add them as powder to food, so maybe I'm added ground worms as well.
1068621
I'm using a few of these on the outside of my house in insect-rich Florida, and while I haven't systematically sampled the different light fixtures around the house, and with the caveat that some sides of the house may be naturally more prone to bugs than the other sides... I *think* that may be right. At least so far this year I haven't noticed the masses of insects around the lights that I sometimes see. That said, if LEDs attract fewer bugs, that may be a double-edged sword. If they're not coming to your outdoor floodlights, they'll still be coming to your windows (unless your whole house is LED inside too!). I've had mine in use regularly for several months now and really do like them so far. Feit seems to make a great LED.
935356
Well vented but don't let The bins get to thick with debris. Nothing bothering mine other than worms and a little smell. Maybe you're putting to much compost debris in the bin at one time? it's taking too long for the worms to eat it so therefore the flies have something to deposit their eggs upon. I wouldn't hesitate to call the worm farm and ask him any questions, if you haven't done so yet.
861551
I'm not an expert but my reading tells me Florida summers might be too much heat for redworms. If you need to leave it outside during summers try African Nightcrawlers (Eudrilus eugeniae).
14477
To my original batch of compostable materials I added some local worms as well as some red worms I purchased online. They seem to be doing just fine with a once a week tumble so I encourage the addition of some worms to your tumbler to speed and enhance the composting process. If my worms prove too frail to survive the tumbling, they don't deserve to be called real worms and they'll just become part of the compost!
14478
While you technically can, I've always been told that the tumbling action will kill them before they have a chance to do anything. This type of composer is best for rotting and not worm based. A standard compost pile would be better for worms.