Q. How do you easily separate earthworms from the
castings. I raise them in a big pot.
castings. I raise them in a big pot.
A. There are three basic ways of separating earthworms;
by pulling them to a new food source, using light to “herd” them, or screening
the soil. Let’s get some “vermiculture” terminology out of the way first.
by pulling them to a new food source, using light to “herd” them, or screening
the soil. Let’s get some “vermiculture” terminology out of the way first.
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| Red wigglers or other worms used in vermiculture can be separated from the vermicast physically by screening, food or herding with light. |
Vermiculture
is the raising of surface-dwelling earthworms for the purpose of
vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is using surface-dwelling worms to make
compost rather than a traditional composting method. The end-product is not
called “compost” but rather “vermicast”. Vermicast is basically “worm poop”.
The proper way to talk about it might be, “I am making vermicast through
vermiculture rather than composting.”
is the raising of surface-dwelling earthworms for the purpose of
vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is using surface-dwelling worms to make
compost rather than a traditional composting method. The end-product is not
called “compost” but rather “vermicast”. Vermicast is basically “worm poop”.
The proper way to talk about it might be, “I am making vermicast through
vermiculture rather than composting.”
Screening Method
All
three of these methods require screening of the vermicast end product to remove
worms and egg cases called “cocoons”. It’s faster to screen for renegade worms
and cocoons than to rely on screening alone for separation but it can be done
that way.
three of these methods require screening of the vermicast end product to remove
worms and egg cases called “cocoons”. It’s faster to screen for renegade worms
and cocoons than to rely on screening alone for separation but it can be done
that way.
Food Method
Putting
“fresh worm food” in a pile for the worms to eat separates them. This method
attracts them to one location where they can be transferred to a new location and
the vermicast screened and collected. When they congregate around this new food
source, remove them from the vermicast, transfer them, and begin the process
all over again.
“fresh worm food” in a pile for the worms to eat separates them. This method
attracts them to one location where they can be transferred to a new location and
the vermicast screened and collected. When they congregate around this new food
source, remove them from the vermicast, transfer them, and begin the process
all over again.
Herding Method
The
“herding” method uses light which they hate. Vermicast is dumped into a pile,
the worms migrate away from the light as you screen the top of the vermicast.
Always leave a thick bottom layer for worm migration. When finished, use the
bottom layer full of worms as the “inoculation” for creating more vermicast.