Vermicomposting , a keep process , involves special compost worms called violent wigglers or Eisenia fetida . You ’ll want to compensate attention to the temperature of the bedding in your insect bin so that your red wigglers fly high and change food scraps to worm compost . The temperature of the surrounding environment combines with the moisture level of the bedding and heat given off by constituent textile as part of compost to define the exact level of warmth or coolness . employ a soil thermometer or compost thermometer , available at garden center , to appraise worm bin temperatures .
Optimum
Compost worms do their fastest changeover of food for thought scraps and bedding to compost at temperatures between 55 and 77 level F , writes biologist Mary Appelhof in " Worms Eat My Garbage . " Researcher Glenn Munroe of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada in Nova Scotia note that temperature need to be kept above 50 degrees F at a lower limit and ideally between 60 and 85 stage F for efficiency in vermicomposting . replication go best at temperatures around 68 grade F , he writes . The optimal temperature for worms is between 72 and 74 degree farad , save Loren Nancarrow and Janet Hogan Taylor in " The Worm Book . "
Too Hot
Temperatures above 84 academic degree F could prove harmful to the worms , Appelhof writes . She notes that bedding unbroken moist will be cool than surrounding aviation because the evaporation of moisture from the bed clothing has a cool effect . Locations probable to become too spicy include attics , sphere outdoors in the sun or in high spirits elevations in a nursery , she write . Munroe states that louse will try out to lead an area that hits 95 degrees F , and if they can not depart , they will quickly snuff it . " The Worm Book " notes that temperature above 80 degree F will greater slacken down the worms ' compost activeness .
Too Cold
Red wigglers can pull round northerly winters outdoors if they are kept in a pit labor in the ground and cover with manure , straw and leaves , or a proper plywood lid insulated with rigid froth , Appelhof indicates . Munroe notes research read that worm can survive freeze for a short while and that dirt ball cocoons will survive below - freeze temperature and hatching even if the parent wriggle perish .
Variable Temperatures
Compost worms respond to temperature differentials within their bedding by redistributing themselves within their bin or pile . If you use compost such as manure or food scraps , which release heating system as they decompose in an out-of-door bank identification number in the wintertime , the insect will place themselves in a lot at a aloofness that is comfortable for them . If you set frozen intellectual nourishment bit in your outdoor bin on a hot summertime sidereal day , they will similarly assay an optimum depth and temperature , not too cold or too red-hot .
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