Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 | Author:
admin
Our planet is a host for several creatures. From the tiniest to the biggest, there are countless number of worms, reptiles, animals, birds and even greater number of species under each category. There are roughly around 4400 species of worms on Planet Earth. Out of this number, there are about 2700 species of earthworms. Red wrigglers and Nightcrawlers are the most commonly found earthworms and are present everywhere in the universe. Red wrigglers and Nightcrawlers are most commonly found in the earth’s soil. They also survive in trees, under the rocks, along rivers, ponds and springs. Earthworms burrow themselves deep in the soil and these burrows are very important for the plants. They serve as a path for water, air and other soil nutrients to pass through.
The physical structure of worms has a few vital features that assist the worms to survive on this planet. One of the main features is the absence of lungs. This is the reason why the worms, including your composting worms, are so slimy. Due to the absence of lungs, earthworms breathe through their skin which needs to be moist at all times so as to facilitate breathing. This is the reason why earthworms are rarely found near the sea. In spite of the presence of water, most of the sand is dry. This dryness can cause suffocation to the worms which may eventually die. At the same time, too much water too can be detrimental as the water can take the place of oxygen which causes the worms to surface. On the surface, worms may die as they get exposed to sunlight. As worms as so slimy, it helps them survive. The other physical features include the presence of mouth which is powerful enough to drag a leaf and eat it, all major nerves, circulatory and digestive organs.
Part One of our Worm Q&A: What Do Worms Eat?
Part Two of our Worm Q&A: How Many Worms To Start With?
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in comments and we will answer them as soon as possible.
Tuesday, July 07th, 2009 | Author:
admin
We are living in a time where recycling and making the best use of everything, including organic wastes is of utmost importance. With the depleting natural resources, worm composting is one of the most successful steps taken in the right direction. The process of worm composting is also commonly known as ‘Vermiculture.’ Worm composting is a method of using worms to recycle food waste and other organic material into a valuable soil conditioner called worm compost.
Vermiculture is a scientific process which involves the artificial rearing of worms not only provides manure for plants but also keeps the environment healthy. The worms eat food scraps, cow-dung, farm wastes, municipal wastes, household garbage and non-toxic industrial waste and convert them to compost. The process is straightforward and can be done by with the use of simple equipments. The required materials are worm bin, worms, bedding and wastes. The worm bin is decided depending upon the kind of worms being used. Bedding requires few shredded newspapers, corrugated cardboard and leaves.
Ideally, the worms used for worm composting are Redworms as they thrive on organic wastes such as food scraps, cow-dung. Redworms, which are scientifically named as Eisenia foetida and Lumbricus rubellus ar found in aged manure and existing compost bins. The standard proportion of food waste to the amount of worms that needs to be used to form worm compost is 1:2. For every one pound of food waste used per day, two pounds of worms are required. Two pounds of worms roughly approximates to 2,000 worms. The population will increase depending upon the room to breed and the availability of food.
Part One of our Worm Q&A: What Do Worms Eat?
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in comments and we will answer them as soon as possible.
Thursday, May 21st, 2009 | Author:
admin
When one part of the world is flourishing with industries and sky scraping buildings, the other part is being mounted by heaps and heaps of waste. The waste being disposed includes both organic and inorganic substances. While the inorganic, toxin wastes need to attended to and disposed carefully, organic waste materials can be put to great use. Recycling the organic wastes through the process of worm composting puts back into the soil the much needed nutrients. Through the process of vermiculture, we can take part in the nature’s cycle and do our bit in keeping our planet earth clean.
Worm composting is an uncomplicated method of creating natural fertilizers by the use of earthworms. Worm compost is derived by facilitating the worms to feed on wastes such as cow-dung, household scraps. The excreta of the worm, which is rich in humus, is the key component which restores the nutrition value of the soil. Vermiculture involves the culturing of worms in a worm bin to produce worm compost.
Worms eat almost everything we, humans eat and don’t eat. Worm food mainly includes vegetable scraps, fruit scraps and peels, Bread and grains, Teabags, Non-greasy leftovers, Coffee grounds and filters, Crushed egg shells, Napkins and paper towels. There are certain food items that are harmful for the worms. Over feeding of citrus items, meat and fish, Greasy foods, Dairy products, Twigs and branches, cat litter and dog feces are dangerous to the health of the worms. Other organic material such shredded newspaper and corrugated cardboard or paperboard can also be used. Shredded black and white newspaper should be kept over the food at all times. This bedding provided by the newspaper and cardboard helps keep the worm bin dark and moist and prevents direct sunlight from contacting the worms. This also keeps the flies away from worm bin.
