Possible problems
A wormcomposter well balanced (temperature, humidity, acidity, C/N) does not bring any nuisance. However, the ecosystem can evolve and bring some small concerns that must be addressed as soon as possible.
Here is a small list of the problems sometimes encountered and their solutions.
The simplest and most frequently used solution is to add paper/cardboard, whatever the problem.
The midges
I will not dwell on the subject because it is already dealt with many times, and in a very detailed way on the forum.
Here are some indications:
Midges appear when your compost is too wet. It’s very difficult to get rid of it. They are not harmful for the vermicomposter but are very annoying for its owner.
It is thus necessary to “dry” the compost by adding paper and cardboard, to put powder of eggshell (ground very finely !) to avoid acidity, to stop feeding the worms during some time (3 weeks mini), to bury all the waste well, sometimes to cover with a thin layer of compost (the midges will be able to leave but will not have any more access to food).
Open the lid every day to scare away midges. Their numbers will drop, don’t lose patience and don’t start feeding the worms again until the midges have disappeared.
Why not use a fly repellent, based on black soap and lavender essential oil….
The best solution is prevention:
When “storing” waste, lock it in a closed box! So that the midges don’t have the opportunity to come and lay eggs on the peelings left in the open air. This is often how they colonize vermicomposters.
Bad smells
This is often a sign of a too humid environment: excess humidity prevents good oxygenation of the environment. The anaerobic bacteria take over and the waste ferments.
Add paper/cardboard, fight acidity by adding crushed egg shells, and stir to aerate well.
It can also be a massive death of worms (characteristic smell), in this case, the simplest is to empty the tray in which it occurred and throw it in the garden.
The worms escape
It is a sign that the environment no longer suits them (too humid, too acid, food they hate,…) in short, they try to escape the problem.
It can be the fermentation of waste that has been brought in too large quantities, and that decomposes quickly preventing oxygenation, this also results in a bad smell, and the environment that becomes acid.
The medium must be rebalanced by adding paper/cardboard, crushed egg shells, and aerated.
Sometimes it is necessary to reconstitute a clean bedding.
The above examples are the most common.
There may be others depending on how you manage your wormcomposter.
Feel free to research on the forum to find the cause and solutions to these problems.
Eisenia Fetida: The worm for your vermicomposter
Eisenia fetida, the red worm, is your ally in vermicomposting. It transforms your waste into rich compost!
How to vermicompost in the cold of winter?
In winter, the vermicomposter outside slows down as the worms and their friends get cold! There are rules to follow if you want things to run smoothly.
Why and how to add cardboard to your vermicomposter?
Adding cardboard to your vermicomposter is a simple and essential practice to improve the composting process.
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