Pet Poo Worm Farms
Worm farms usually convert fruit & vegetable scraps into vermicast (castings) and liquid vermicast (liquid fertiliser). However, you can turn a worm farm into a “Pet Poo Converter”.
A Pet Poo Converter is a worm farm where the worms are fed pet poo (dog or cat manure) and newspaper. It is set up in exactly the same way as a standard worm farm, but instead of feeding the worms with fruit and vegetable scraps, you feed them dog and cat manure. Please note: do not feed worms manure for 3-5 days following medication, particularly worming treatment.
Worm Farm Troubleshooter
If you encounter problems, refer to the ADAM & EVE principles as described under Compost. Some common problems and solutions are listed below.
Smelly Worm Farm
Your worm farm can start to smell if the worms are being fed more than they can eat or if the worm farm is too wet.
Fix it. Start by feeding the worms slowly and gradually build up the amount of food you feed them. Make sure the worm farm is well drained. If it is too wet, the worms may drown.
Unwelcome Visitors
Ant or cockroaches might find your worm farm a good place to live. Don’t worry, although they can be a nuisance, they won’t harm the worms.
Fix it. Keep a lid on your worm farm or keep a hessian, old carpet or cardboard cover over the food scraps. This will suppress smells and discourage unwelcome visitors. Rub a little Vaseline around each leg to prevent ants entering the worm farm. Ants also enjoy dry acidic conditions. Check that your worm farm is moist and add a sprinkling of wood ash, garden lime or dolomite to neutralise acidic conditions.
Going on Holidays?
Unlike other pets, you can leave worm farms unattended for weeks at a time.
Fix it. Worms will happily eat wet shredded paper for up to 6 weeks!
My worms won’t multiply
Worms need the right conditions in order to breed. They need to be kept cool (ideally 18 – 25oC) moist but not too wet, away from direct sunlight and be fed the right foods. Some foods such as fruits, grains and sugary foods tend to be acid forming. Worms will not live or breed well in acidic conditions.
Fix it. Keep your worm farm out of direct sunlight, make sure the farm or bed is covered so that it doesn’t get too we in the rain, ensure there is good drainage, and sprinkle a handful of wood ash, garden lime or dolomite on the farm every few weeks to neutralise any acid.