Worms won't move out

curio 5/25/2012, 9:20 am

Ok, I'm baffled. :scratch:
I have an indoor worm bin that is in need of being harvested. I moved the contents (and worms) to one side of the bin, and filled the other side with fresh, moist bedding. I then added about 3 cups of coffee grounds and mixed kitchen scraps into the new bedding (in the far corner).
This was four days ago, and there is not a single worm in the new stuff, yet they're thick as thieves in the old. Could the old still have enough food for them to not want to leave? If that isn't the case, then what am I doing wrong?
I'd sure hate to have to remove 1000 worms or more by hand before I can use the compost.

Thanks for any help or input.

**walshevak** 5/25/2012, 2:17 pm

Same problem. I have the worm setup Josh uses. I shredded paper and fixed the upper box, put in a handfull of wormy compost from the lower bin and have been feeding in the upper bin only for the last month. About the only worms in the upper bin are the ones I moved with the handfull of compost. Nobody wants to move up in the world even though the lower bin seems too wet. Found plenty of squirmies and eggs in the lower bin today when I hand sifted enough to make some worm tea.

Kay

Boz 5/25/2012, 3:51 pm

I usually let my worms self migrate for at least two months then I do a light sort to finish the process.

This site has some information http://www.allthingsorganic.com/How_To/08.asp

curio 5/25/2012, 6:18 pm

Thanks Boz, that makes sense. I'll just keep feeding on the new side until they get the idea.

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