1,000 worms on their way....

Previously left them alone for 3 weeks so I kinda felt they'd be ok as long as there was a lot of bedding. I was busy with holiday houseguests for a couple weeks. Once they left my almost 14-1/2 yr. old house cat rapidly became critically ill. Several tests could not define the source of the problem. My 2 wonderful blessed vets were able to bring her back to life from a very near death situation. I was consumed with caring for her and dealing with such sadness at the thought of losing my little buddy. It was very tough to watch an old friend go down so fast. But it's in the past, she may have used up severalcat lives but she is back better than ever so it seems.
Otherwise, don't think I would've left my little worm friends unattended for quite so long!

I was talking to the worm guy at a seminar and he said he had left his worm hotel for up to 2 months. Lots of bedding and 1/2 of a good sized watermelon rind. He had scooped out the pink. I was worried about starting a worm bin because of my travels. Luckily, my neighbor was willing to bring her kitchen scraps to my worms last summer when I was gone for over 3 months. I had left plenty of newspaper for her to shred bedding.

Kay

Kay
It's pretty nice that you have an understanding neighbor to help out during those months.
That fellow said 2 months - wow, good to know. I had not heard of a specific time frame before. Assuming I suppose the other factors like food, temp, bedding, moisture, etc. are going well.

I guess I am TRYING to leave them alone for longer, it is just that I have such cabin fever that I am DYING to watch something grow. My DH says that the worms are likely so glad when we go away for a few days, so they can be left alone...
I just love watching them squiggle around, and I love seeing how healthy they all are. I guess I just need another distraction..... anyone want someone to check in on their worms...
My husband says that they likely need a little privacy so that they CAN reproduce...
I am also thrilled to have totally (or at least almost totally) gotten rid of the fruit flies. So much nicer without them flying into my hair.

[quote="GWN"].... anyone want someone to check in on their worms...
Sure , your flight to Ohio probably won't take too long,
I am also thrilled to have totally (or at least almost totally) gotten rid of the fruit flies. So much nicer without them flying into my hair. /quote] I think I underfeed and keep really thick bedding, haven't had a fruit fly issue. Or maybe I need a new eyeglass prescription

I think I underfeed and keep really thick bedding, haven't had a fruit fly issue. Or maybe I need a new eyeglass prescription

Beleive me you KNOW it when you have them, they even get in your teeth.
I think that is what she says in the "worms eat my garbage" book.
Hey if I WERE to fly to Ohio, that would give MY worms a break from me, but likely drive your worms crazy...

I have spent my morning reading this entire thread, it took two very large mugs of tea and about 3 hours - note taking included. Extremely informative and entertaining I might add. I laughed loud enough to wake my dog a couple of times. I am very interested in venturing into the world of worms. I saw the plans for the Wiggler Hilton the other day and then I saw this thread. Lots of good info, links and experience to draw from

Now the hard part, convincing my husband to let me have a worm farm, help me build my rain barrel system and build my wicking pond beds before I lose my entire spring growing season - LOL never gonna happen

I can dream

If your husband has a hard time agreeing to the worms let him read this...dear sir, please let your wife have worms.
My husband is not thrilled I've had worms for almost a year. I believe he is that I have worms and kept a bin of them in the spare bathroom. My dearest friends look at me a little more funny than they use to. But these little critters do more good for our soil and plants than (in my opinion) a giant company like Monsanto does for the entire country. Worms will eat your garbage yet their castings will give you healthier plants that will grow better and be able to fight off disease and pests better. This will make your wife very happy and you very healthy!
Btw - I moved my worms to the basement where they will thrive. I have 2 bins and a bucket of them, and thinking of adding another bin. In closing these little guys are quiet and not smelly so...Let your wife have some worms! In time she may also learn how to keep them permanently outside which is my goal for the future. This is so I can have ( guess what ) more worms. Keeping worms is quickly becoming a very strong underground movement - no pun intended!

+ 1 what LL said above

happy gardening
rose

My hubs wasn't into the idea either....but he knows that when I get an idea in my head, I research like crazy and go for it! (poor guy!) So, I started a very small one in a butter container under the sink where it's completely out of the way. I let him know that it benefits us because it will be less money spent on fertilizer with much better yields....plus, it gives me something garden-wise to do in the winter (aka: happy wife, happy life!)

I will have the hubby read as requested

I wish I could keep them outside year-round, I think I have the opposite problem of most: winter= no problem, summer=worms for dinner. July & August average about 110+ daytime 90+ overnight. Don't wanna eat worms, I admit.

Still thinking on the best place to keep them and out of the way. I don't think the coffee table, or a dining room bench will work - lol.

Still thinking on the best place to keep them and out of the way.

Do you have a basement or crawl space? that would be a good place in the summer, I kept mine behind the bathroom door for the first 6 months, but I did not freeze all the food I was giving my worms, as had been suggested, and so got flies. I moved them out to greenhouse for awhile, but it was too hot there and then for the hot part of the summer (we get temps up to the 90s here for the summer) I found them a nice shady place and put a piece of carpet over them to make sure they were always in the shade. Now I keep them in our furnace room which is in our basement, and the warmest place in the basement.

Mine live in my laundry room. Had a fruit fly problem until I started freezing all food first. There is no smell.


Kay

GWN wrote:

Still thinking on the best place to keep them and out of the way.

Do you have a basement or crawl space? that would be a good place in the summer, I kept mine behind the bathroom door for the first 6 months, but I did not freeze all the food I was giving my worms, as had been suggested, and so got flies. I moved them out to greenhouse for awhile, but it was too hot there and then for the hot part of the summer (we get temps up to the 90s here for the summer) I found them a nice shady place and put a piece of carpet over them to make sure they were always in the shade. Now I keep them in our furnace room which is in our basement, and the warmest place in the basement.

I have just realized I have a furnace room. I think that would be a better place than my living room; they wouldn't have to listen to the TV and it is always dark. Moving time this afternoon.

ahh, to have a basement. Nope, they don't build those here in my neck of the woods (no woods either ) the ground is to hard and we have lots of caliche, which is a pain to remove. So as a result, no basements. If they exsist here it is very rare and usually a private builder/custom home. No laundry room either, just a closet. I don't think they would like to live "on" the dryer... Oh well.

I will find a space!!! Just not sure where, yet.

Have fun with moving day

I have just realized I have a furnace room.

kelijan, you are so funny.....
Dreaming of Green, .... a closet would be a lovely place for worms to live.

[quote="GWN"]

I have just realized I have a furnace room.

kelijan, you are so funny.....

Well, I've checked it put and realize there is not enough room there for anything else when the door is shut. Also, as it is a gas furnace, I wonder if the air flow would be OK. They are going to continue to keep me company while I watch TV. Anyway, it is easier to talk to them.

[quote we have lots of caliche, which is a pain to remove. well.

I will find a space!!! Just not sure where, yet.

[/quote]

:scratch: I had to look up what your caliche problem is about since this Long Island bred gal never heard of caliche before. Very Interesting.

I had to look up what your caliche problem is about since this Long Island bred gal never heard of caliche before. Very Interesting.

So are you going to share with the rest of us who might just be in the shade about what a caliche is??

nope
It's a rock layer that lies close to the soil surface. So much that it is difficult to have a basement or garden.

Hi there - I live in Tampa and no issue with my worms outside year round. It gets smoking hot and humid here in the summer. During this time I just make sure to have them on the deck under a tree so they are shaded and protected from the rain (don't want them to drown:)) if it gets really hot I just crack the lid a little bit during the day (make sure to close it at night or you may have escape artists:)). As for fruit flies never a problem so long as I cover their food up well. I use damp newspaper, used paper towels, used dryer sheets, etc. Works like a dream. It is cooler now so my red wigglers supposedly get a little unhappy when the temp is less than 40 degrees so when the temp drops I just move them closer to the back sliders so they get some radiant heat from the house. I've had them since last Christmas (yes, they were a christmas present) and they have done fantastically well - eating about 2 lbs of scraps a week. I have one of the green 4 tier systems with the drain at the bottom - works like a dream! Good luck (BTW I started out with just a small bag of worms and they filled up my box in no time!.

Dreaming of Green wrote:ahh, to have a basement. Nope, they don't build those here in my neck of the woods (no woods either ) the ground is to hard and we have lots of caliche, which is a pain to remove. So as a result, no basements. If they exsist here it is very rare and usually a private builder/custom home. No laundry room either, just a closet. I don't think they would like to live "on" the dryer... Oh well.

I will find a space!!! Just not sure where, yet.

Have fun with moving day

I received my worm factory yesterday and will get the worms in the next day or two. It is currently 8 degrees (feels like -. I thought they might come today, so I put out a cooler with two bottles of hot water in it. When I got home, the water bottles were still above 80 degrees and the cooler interior was pleasantly warm. My burpee seed order was in there, but no worms yet.

Great!
The warmed up box sounds perfect.
Don't know about you but I was like a little kid while waiting for my worms. Fred, my postman was well aware of safely delivering the box. Keep us informed!

kgreseth

I've had them since last Christmas (yes, they were a christmas present)

WHAT A GREAT christmas present, definately NOT one you will find later on in a local thrift store.
I ALSO have the 4 tiered system, but then expanded with several other odds and ends I have grown them in. Do you find that the lower shelf tends to fill up with fluid?

GWN wrote:kgreseth

I've had them since last Christmas (yes, they were a christmas present)

WHAT A GREAT christmas present, definately NOT one you will find later on in a local thrift store.
I ALSO have the 4 tiered system, but then expanded with several other odds and ends I have grown them in. Do you find that the lower shelf tends to fill up with fluid?

I did find some of the lower layers getting wet. I leave the spiqot open with a cup underneath and if too wet I'll add a little cocofiber to the top layer