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Summer is here. It's only natural to want to protect your vermicomposter from the heat.
We saw it last year, on our Facebook group, Instagram account, Facebook page or Twitter account, many of you were worried about the heat for your little worms, and you're right!
We're going to tell you all about the effect of heat on worms and how to spare them.
What's the ideal temperature for worms?
Our worm friends are at their best between 15 and 25°C. At this temperature, they eat normally and reproduce.
Above 25°C, they start to get hot.
Above 35°C, they die.
So it's imperative to take good care of your vermicomposter.
How can I tell if my vermicomposter is suffering from heat?
There are several warning signs:
- the temperature of the room where the vermicomposter is located
- the appearance of the vermicompost
- the smell
- the presence of midges
- worm movements
Room temperature
If it's over 25°C in the room, chances are your vermicomposter isn't at its best.
The appearance of the vermicompost
If the inside of the vermicomposter doesn't look as it should. If it looks like a big slurry, or if it becomes viscous, it's because all the waste is decomposing, rather than being absorbed by the vermicomposter's fauna.
The smell
If an odor begins to emerge from the vermicomposter, this is also a bad sign. The smell comes from the decomposition of the material. There's not enough oxygen left in the vermicomposter.
Midges
Their presence is often synonymous with imbalance in the vermicomposter, and heat-related decomposition is one of them. Read our article on how to get rid of midges.
Worm movements
In hot weather, worms have two ways of seeking coolness:
- they sink into the vermicomposter to gather in the collection tray. Hence the importance of leaving the tap open to prevent them from drowning, in addition to ventilation..
- they'll try to escape through the vent in the lid. This is often fatal, as they won't be happy on the floor of your home.
Protecting your vermicomposter from the heat
It's confirmed: your vermicomposter is suffering from the heat? Let's do what's necessary to protect it as much as possible.
Choose the right room
If you've got a shady outdoor space that's not too hot, you can put your vermicomposter there. However, it should never be placed in direct sunlight. At the very least, consider placing a piece of cardboard (which will leave the vents open) or, better still, a parasol.
Otherwise, choose a good room indoors:
- kitchen
- laundry room
- storeroom
- cellar, don't worry, worms aren't afraid of the dark?
Refreshing your vermicomposter
Even more than usual, we recommend using brown corrugated cardboard. It will help air to circulate, which is essential for cooling your vermicomposter.
Leave the drain tap open, as air will also pass through here.
Activate the heatwave plan by creating a cool zone in the collection bin:
- place a damp, but not soaking wet cloth, whose moisture will evaporate over time and which, thanks to the aeration in the vermicomposter, will help to cool it down
- fill with brown corrugated cardboard, to provide a cool, airy temporary home for the worms
Tips to protect your vermicomposter from the heat
Here are our 4 tips for protecting your vermicomposter:
- check the temperature regularly
- slow down input, because like us, when it's hot, worms eat less
- ventilate as much as possible
- use a cloth or cardboard to cool it down
Have a great summer! Take care of yourselves and our worm friends!
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