Full Answer
What is the Ideal Temperature for a Worm Composting Bin?
This is easy to remember. Composting worms like the same temperatures that we do. There ideal range is 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Go to your worm bin. If you are cold, so are they. If you are hot, so are your worms. While your composting worms will tolerate temperatures outside this ideal range, do your best to keep the temp within 60-80 degrees F because this is when your worms are most productive. See below for tips on raising or lowering the temperature in a worm bin.
What are the Extreme Temperatures that Composting Worms will Tolerate?
A Cold Worm Bin – When the temperature in a worm bin starts to drop below 60 degrees F , your worms will start eating less and reproducing less. As the temperature continues to drop they will go into survival mode. If the worm bin temperature drops below 40 degrees, the worms will start to die off.
How to increase air flow in worm bin?
Increase air flow – This can be done by drilling more holes in your worm bin or simply removing the lid for a period of time. If you choose to remove the lid, watch out for the family dog digging in the bin or, like at my house, the family chickens helping themselves to a snack.
How to raise temperature in worm bin?
Try the below tips for raising the temperature in a worm bin. Keep the lid on – If your winter worm bin has a lid, keep it on to trap heat in. If it doesn’t, use a tarp to cover the worm bed. Flow through worm bin made from an old chest freezer.
How to keep worm bins moist?
As the water evaporates it also lowers the temperature of the worm bin. Use a fan – Open the lid your worm bin and point a fan at the bedding. The dramatically increased airflow will increase evaporation and lower the temperature. If you use a fan, be sure to keep the bedding moist.
What happens if the temperature of a worm bin drops?
As the temperature continues to drop they will go into survival mode. If the worm bin temperature drops below 40 degrees, the worms will start to die off. A Hot Worm Bin – If the worm bin temperature rises over 80 degrees, the worms will start to eat and reproduce less. If it gets over 95 degrees, your composting worms will ...
How to keep composting worms moist?
Make sure the bedding stays moist – Composting worms need moist carbon bedding to keep their skin moist so that they can breathe. Heat dries out bedding quickly. Use a watering can or spray bottle to keep the bedding wet. As the water evaporates it also lowers the temperature of the worm bin.
Composting Worms Temperature
Temperatures that composting worms prefer are the same as ours. The optimal temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss some worms into your worm bin. They will be cold if you are.
How To Reduce The Temperature in a Worm Bin
In the summer, worm composting outside might be difficult, especially for those who live in a hot climate. Please keep your worm bin indoors if you live near the equator. If you live in a warmer climate, consider some of the ways listed below to keep your worm bin cool during the summer.
Why do worms migrate to cooler areas?
Worms will try to migrate to cooler spots in the worm farm such as the base when it starts to get too hot. Under extreme temperatures, your worms may go into a bit of a survival mode, causing them to reproduce in a hurry. They will also migrate to cooler areas or attempt a mass exit escape.
What temperature do worms like?
Although one thing to keep in mind is the temperature in the worm bin is usually lower than the outside air temperature. The bin temperature is usually 10° Fahrenheit or 6° Celsius cooler than air temperature in summer, and 10° Fahrenheit or 6° Celsius warmer than air temperature in winter. Worms can tolerate a wide temperature range. In general worms are most productive between 59° – 86° Fahrenheit or 15° – 30° Celsius.
Why is it important to regulate the temperature of a worm bin?
It’s important to regulate the temperature in your worm bin. When the worm bin temperature is not ideal, worms will become less productive. And in extreme temperatures, your worms will likely suffer and perish if no action is taken.
Why do worms need nitrogen?
In colder months, it’s a good idea to add foods high in nitrogen, as these foods generate more heat as they break down. Another aspect of regulating worm bin temperature is airflow.
Why do worms eat less food?
When temperatures are not ideal, your worms will slow down their reproduction rates and eat less food. If your worms are too cold, they will crawl a lot and eventually mass together in a ball, resembling a hamburger, to keep warm. Worms will try to migrate to cooler spots in the worm farm such as the base when it starts to get too hot.
How to lower worm bin temperature?
How to Quickly Decrease Worm Bin Temperature. On really hot days, one of the worst things you can do is add water into your worm bin. Whilst it may seem a nice thing to do to help your worms stay cool, it can actually boil them.
How to increase the temperature of a worm bin?
The easiest way to increase worm bin temperature is to move it to a warmer place. This could be inside your home, or near an external exhaust vent of heating system. Or you can add a heat source such as a heat lamp or a spotlight onto your worm bin. Alternatively, you can try and insulate your worm bin to trap the heat in.
How to measure temperature of worm composter?
We recommend measuring the temperature inside the worm composter with a soil thermometer since the temperature of the bedding is usually cooler than that of the outside air.
What affects red wiggler worms?
The temperature of your worm bin affects red wiggler worms drastically.
How to tell if worms are too hot?
Your worms eat and reproduce less. How to tell with a glance: Your worms migrate into the cooler lower trays. If the temperature is too high or low, these effects will eventually damage the overall health of your worm bin. When the temperature becomes extreme either way, your worms will start to die or flee to more moderate temperatures.
How to increase the temperature of a worm bin?
To increase the temperature of your worm bin, provide a heat source for the worms. A heat lamp or a spotlight will work well to warm the bin and provide an incentive for your worms to migrate to the top of the bin to eat. Tip: Keep the lid of the bin on tightly if using a spotlight because worms will shy away from bright light.
What foods are high in nitrogen?
Foods high in nitrogen as they generate heat as they break down. Lentils, mushrooms, peas, leafy greens, tofu, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, and oatmeal. How can you protect your worm bin from the cold? You can protect your worms from the cold by insulating the composter.
Can you put worm compost in direct sunlight?
To make sure the temperature does not exceed 80° Fahrenheit, never place your worm composter in direct sunlight.
Do Red Wriggler Worms like the same climate as we do?
Red wriggler worms enjoy the same climate as we do. Imagine a perfect day. What is the temperature like?
