Earthworm Buyer's Profile

I am profiling my clients based on WHY they bought African Nightcrawler (ANC) earthworms because I have reached a milestone, my 100th customer. 

I classified customers into four profiles based on their reasons for buying worms.

1. Those wishing to start their home vermicomposting projects and edible gardens.  Eighty three (83) of my customers (out of 100, making it 83%) want to reduce their carbon footprint by recycling their kitchen wastes into organic fertilizer.  Also, they want to grow their own food in recycled containers.    
2. Those who have a school Biology project.  Eight (8) out of 100 (or 8% of total) comprise of mothers of high school students.  This is usually a desperate lot I get to deal with due to time constraints. I have turned down a lot of orders because they want their orders served on the same day or delivered the next day to the school of their kids.  I patiently explain to frustrated mothers that I only get to serve orders on weekends because I have work and worming is just a hobby.  I can only imagine the predicament of their children after the end of the call.
3. Those who are starting a farm.  There were seven (7) guys who wanted to buy in bulk which I discouraged at the beginning.  I told them to first get used to culturing worms before buying in bulk.  This group was also the most inquisitive when it comes to asking information.  Of course, I answered all their questions and I sent a follow-up email for links to sites I have read on organic farming and beneficial microorganisms.
4. Those who want fishing bait.  I had two guys purchasing worms as fish bait.  These guys were very specific with the sizes of the earthworms they want.  In fact, they prefer the local earthworms to African Nightcrawlers since the locals worms are much bigger.  I had to eventually turn them down after several repeat orders because my earthworm population drastically declined.  I had to re-seed my worm bed to regain biomass for efficient vermicomposting.

It has been a learning experience for me and hopefully, for my customers as well.  Fortunately, there are only a few clients coming back to purchase again due to their earthworms dying out. 

To all my customers and readers of this blog, thank you!  May your tribe increase!

Termites In My Worm Bin

A customer sent a SMS (text) telling that there are termites in his worm bin. He was concerned that termites might harm the earthworms and asked for advice on how to get rid of termites.

I haven't had any experience on this so I had to do some research on it.

Termites are attracted to materials with high cellulose content like cardboard paper. They don't harm worms but they compete in consuming the substrate.

A quick way to deal with the termites is to find the queen and kill it. Or you can gently mix the substrate while watering to reach 90% moisture level. Mixing the substrate destroys the nest of the termites.

I hope this works.

Vermicomposting Chores

Avid gardeners know that religiously doing gardening chores ensure not only the survival but also the productivity of their plants

In the same manner, hobbyists who raise earthworms do chores to ensure the survival of earthworms. Here is the list of chores.

Pre-Composting Biodegradable Household Waste

Earthworms feed on decomposing materials that has already undergone a hot [thermophilic] stage and has cooled off.

The Filipino household generates various kinds of kitchen waste. Vegetable trimmings, stale bread and fruit peelings can be directly added into the worm bed but not all kitchen waste can be immediately fed to earthworms.

High-protein wastes like meat and fish, oily foods, citrus and onions need to be pre-composted first before adding into the worm bed.

Sorting / Harvesting Vermicompost 

Earthworms can't survive long in their castings. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly separate the earthworms from their castings.  This is usually done by allowing the materials to pass through a screen mesh.  Stop watering your worm bin one week before harvesting the worm casts for easier separation of worms and worm castings.

Watering Your Worm Bed

Earthworms need 70% - 90% moisture content in their bedding. Watering is essential to their survival and there is a correct way of watering.

Allow the water to percolate throughout the substrate. Observe the bottom of the substrate . The bottom should be moist only, not wet. If water flows out, then stop immediately. Excessive watering leaches out the nutrients.

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Protecting Worms from Predators, Pests and Extreme Weather Conditions

Rats and frogs are natural predators of earthworms. And so do birds. Keeping the worm bedding covered is usually sufficient to prevent predation.

Pests, like ants and mites, are harder to solve. Dealing with earthworm pests requires research and experimentation. Over time, the earthworm raiser gains experience to confidently deal with pests.

Scorching summers and flooding are fatal to earthworms making it necessary to take mitigating measures to minimize effects of extreme weather conditions.

I have listed the chores associated with home vermicomposting. It might seem daunting at first but the only laborious chore is the sorting/harvesting of worms.

Start raising earthworms as pets and help Mother Nature!