7 Conditions That Are Bad to a Earthworm Habitat
The following are the conditions that are bad to the earthworm habitat and how rectify the situation: 1) When it is too hot Earthworms cannot survive beyond temperature of 90F or higher.
They will become inactive if it is too hot and die.
Best temperature should be below 80F.
Do not exposed the earthworms to direct sunlight and hot environment.
If the worm bin is placed outdoor, best to put it in the shade or garage.
2) When it is too dry The earthworm needs a damp, dark and moist environment and need to keep its body moist as it breathe through its skin.
Earthworm needs adequate moisture for growth and survival.
Sprinkle some water on the bedding in the bin to provide extra moisture.
3) When the weather is too cold.
In freezing temperature worms will die.
The ideal temperature for the earthworm growth and activity would be in the range of 60 to 80 F.
Put the worm bin in your home, maybe in the kitchen during the winter months.
4) When it is wet The earthworms will drown when the soil or bedding is soggy wet.
It will drive the worms away.
During rainy days worms would normally surface to avoid drowning.
If the bin is wet, best to drain the excess water.
5) When the soil becomes too acidic or too alkaline Earthworms has limited digestive system and therefore it requires a certain acidity level to predigest the food.
But it is not good to the earthworms if its too acidic or too alkaline.
The soil or bedding should be maintained around ph neutral level.
Best ph reading would be around ph6.
0 to ph 7.
0 reading.
6) Effect of agricultural pesticides Fungicides and fumigants is toxic and harmful to earthworms.
So it is best to avoid the use of pesticides to kill any insects or ants that may invades the worm bin which will instead do harm to the worms.
If there are ants in the worm bin, place the legs of the worm bin in a container of water.
7) Aeration The earthworm will die when there is no oxygen.
so it is important that the bedding in the worm bin is loosely pile and not tight to allow adequate air circulation.
The worm bin must have enough holes for proper ventilation.
But cover the holes with wire mesh to avoid insects from coming in.
They will become inactive if it is too hot and die.
Best temperature should be below 80F.
Do not exposed the earthworms to direct sunlight and hot environment.
If the worm bin is placed outdoor, best to put it in the shade or garage.
2) When it is too dry The earthworm needs a damp, dark and moist environment and need to keep its body moist as it breathe through its skin.
Earthworm needs adequate moisture for growth and survival.
Sprinkle some water on the bedding in the bin to provide extra moisture.
3) When the weather is too cold.
In freezing temperature worms will die.
The ideal temperature for the earthworm growth and activity would be in the range of 60 to 80 F.
Put the worm bin in your home, maybe in the kitchen during the winter months.
4) When it is wet The earthworms will drown when the soil or bedding is soggy wet.
It will drive the worms away.
During rainy days worms would normally surface to avoid drowning.
If the bin is wet, best to drain the excess water.
5) When the soil becomes too acidic or too alkaline Earthworms has limited digestive system and therefore it requires a certain acidity level to predigest the food.
But it is not good to the earthworms if its too acidic or too alkaline.
The soil or bedding should be maintained around ph neutral level.
Best ph reading would be around ph6.
0 to ph 7.
0 reading.
6) Effect of agricultural pesticides Fungicides and fumigants is toxic and harmful to earthworms.
So it is best to avoid the use of pesticides to kill any insects or ants that may invades the worm bin which will instead do harm to the worms.
If there are ants in the worm bin, place the legs of the worm bin in a container of water.
7) Aeration The earthworm will die when there is no oxygen.
so it is important that the bedding in the worm bin is loosely pile and not tight to allow adequate air circulation.
The worm bin must have enough holes for proper ventilation.
But cover the holes with wire mesh to avoid insects from coming in.
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