I used to have the same compacting and worm migration problem. To help remedy it I've experimented with quite a few things. I've found the following to help greatly. 1. I feel I was over filling my bins. Now I make sure to fill them only to a bit below the support tabs. 2. I also put 2x2 blocks in each corner of the trays. I cut them to the height of the tabs. I find these help support the weight of the trays above. 3. Every 7 to 10 days I aerate the trays below the top feeding tray. I find airflow = finer grade material as you move further down to the bottom trays. 3. When I add food, I now cut or rip everything into small pieces, trying to get everything down to nothing more than 2 sq". If I put something pretty solid like a corncob, I 1st run it through a food processor. I found the worms not only seem to process the food faster, but the material they produce is less clay like. 4. When I would rotate the bottom tray to the top for harvest, I found in the summer, after 4 or 5 hours the worms would migrate to the tray below. In the winter I bring the system in doors. I found the ambient light in the room was not intense enough to coax them into the tray below. I now place a 100w incandescent bulb 1' above the tray. after 3 or 4 hours most of the worms will migrate to the tray below. Much of this stuff is touched upon in the instructions. I just took things a bit further. After a couple of years of tweaking and experimentation I've gotten the system to perform pretty well. That said, to keep things working efficiently, it's taken quite a bit more effort than advertised. At the end of the day I do enjoy puttering around with it. The reward, I've had fantastic garden results with the compost it generates. As you well know, at the garden center worm castings are very expensive. Plus I always have plenty of worms for fishing.
This is good insight. We have two of these bins. We’ve hit some issues like the video author. Most notably the castings getting to the sump and the worms not migrating. But I’m going to try your idea of getting them to move down.
Why do you have castings in the sump? I think that's why it's not breathing. I think that is supposed to be open, maybe just liquid there. Your bins are so full the upper bin is compressing the lower, but the weight should be on the plastic tabs, not on the castings. This is also reducing airflow. I'd take some material out -everything from the sump and reduce each tray by a third. It's okay for some worms to end up in the garden! Thanks for the video!
Hello. I'm a worm newbie thanks for doing the videos. I think the problem with your bottom tray is the cardboard in the bottom tray is a food source, so the worms will never migrate if there's a food source. It's also wet enough in there to hatch the eggs so maybe it's just the babys down there.
Stumbled across your video when I was looking into some information on my Worm Factory 360. You made a few comments about how this compares to other farms. Do you have some farms you've tested that you feel are better? I'm going to see what else you have on your channel in case you cover it at some point.
One thing I have learned with my WF360 is that the juice's from what ever you put in top tray will work to the bottom so worms will follow the juice if it is yummy lol. That is one reason they stay in the finished compost. Kind of common sense but something we don't think about off hand when you are try to get them to go up to the food.
Thank you. Do you know a resource for Eisenia Fetida? Everyone wants to add Indian Blue to the mix, I only want Eisenia about a quarter to a half pound. Thanks.
A friend of mine suggested freezeing scraps and the hitting them with a hammer to break them down (size wise) before the worms get to them. What do you think about this?
Which worm bin do you recommend? I started in storage bins but don't like to dig them out so much to harvest. I have lots of food scaps I want to use and also want to be able to harvest compost quickly and more frequently. Also should I get more than just one?
Thanks for the detailed tour, that’s really helpful. When you say “screen “some thing, what do you mean? Do you use some kind of screening mechanism to get the castings out?
The lower the more moisture the more fun for the worms. Found something to try out this morning. With the baropressure to storm, worms naturally rise. That would be a good harvest moment in these stacking bins.
As always, a pleasure to watch you mess with your worms. Something I love to do as well. The castings are looking great. Sitting here with my cup of coffee enjoying your videos.
Thanks for showing all the layers. I was convinced mine is wrong because it is so compacted. Not crazy about this system. It does the job, but does not give me peace of mind along the way.
Richelle Mccowan yes it’s not my favorite either but I make do with it. If I wasn’t filming videos I would probably retire this system but they all have their pros and cons! Thanks for watching.
I am new to this process, and have a question about the square lid on the worm factory. If I Keep it sealed all the time, will my worms get enough oxygen?
Muhammad Danial I have one, lol. I just end up picking up the camera to zoom and all. Hoping moving forward my other half will help with filming so it isn’t so shaky. Thanks for watching as always!
It'll be like hanging pictures on the wall. "That's cooked, higher, more to the left... " need I go on? lol Very good quality considering it's one handed and mobile- don't get too hard on yourself!
My worms are constantly escaping! I have dead worms all over my basement floor around the system. Last year I used a plastic bin and nobody escaped. Am I doing something wrong?
Thank you Emily for doing this update and review. That sure is a great deal of compost in there, how long would you say you have been using this one? Catherine
ABADDON 247 I keep some moist bedding down there Incase they fall. Then they can eat. Just check it once a week or so and save any that found their way down there.
Definitely check out my playlists on the Urban Worm Bag and VermiBag. Both are continuous flow through systems and are by far my favorite. If we are being completely honest, I would rather use totes than the Worm Factory. It's just a royal pain.
My worms are really sluggish too, but I am not sure why. If I pick one up, sometimes it takes seconds before it begins to move. Is this a sign of some sort that I need to do things differently?
You need to cover the top with damp newspaper sheets and keep checking it to make sure it is moist enough. You are supposed to move the bottom tray to the top when you have all the bins full. Did you read the instructions because it doesn't seem like you are following them. I think they can be found online if you have lost yours.
Boodieman72 I did read the instructions. Had this system running for 2 years now. I choose to do things a little differently from the instructions. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I learn a lot along the way.
I ended up with euros in the worm factory and they seem to be fine. Not sure how they got mixed in with the Red Wigglers. Whenever I see one, I take it out and put it into the Vermi-bag with the other Night Crawlers.
So glad you showed us this. I was surprised to learn that a good amount of worms didn’t migrate to the top as advertised. What do you do with the worms on the bottom tray? How do you screen this tray?
I have an update… I’ve been raising my euros in a worm factory type tower, and now I am raising my African nightcrawlers in my worm factory and they are doing awesome.
I think if all the worms moved up the trays that they would quickly overpopulate and become un manageable, I feel like even though some of them stay behind in lower levels you actually end up with many more worms than you could have if they all moved up because before long they would not be able to move as there would be too many worms and you would still have to remove them.
Would you recommend this to a first-time worm composer? As you mentioned, this is marketed for this purpose, but I'm open to all suggestions. Thank you!
karen catalano nope! They do just great in here. They get a bit compacted down the bottom but they thrive. Not all worms are ultra-active and they light can shock them a bit too! They are eating well so I am not worried at all. Never had a die-off in this bin at all luckily.
Hi! Salute from Brazil! Very interesting vídeos! How is the other sistem you once comented with trays without holes? I'm using this sistem. Individual bins. My objective is to breed my own bait for fishing. By the way, do you enjoa fishing?
I used to have the same compacting and worm migration problem. To help remedy it I've experimented with quite a few things. I've found the following to help greatly.
1. I feel I was over filling my bins. Now I make sure to fill them only to a bit below the support tabs.
2. I also put 2x2 blocks in each corner of the trays. I cut them to the height of the tabs. I find these help support the weight of the trays above.
3. Every 7 to 10 days I aerate the trays below the top feeding tray. I find airflow = finer grade material as you move further down to the bottom trays.
3. When I add food, I now cut or rip everything into small pieces, trying to get everything down to nothing more than 2 sq". If I put something pretty solid like a corncob, I 1st run it through a food processor. I found the worms not only seem to process the food faster, but the material they produce is less clay like.
4. When I would rotate the bottom tray to the top for harvest, I found in the summer, after 4 or 5 hours the worms would migrate to the tray below. In the winter I bring the system in doors. I found the ambient light in the room was not intense enough to coax them into the tray below. I now place a 100w incandescent bulb 1' above the tray. after 3 or 4 hours most of the worms will migrate to the tray below.
Much of this stuff is touched upon in the instructions. I just took things a bit further. After a couple of years of tweaking and experimentation I've gotten the system to perform pretty well. That said, to keep things working efficiently, it's taken quite a bit more effort than advertised. At the end of the day I do enjoy puttering around with it. The reward, I've had fantastic garden results with the compost it generates. As you well know, at the garden center worm castings are very expensive. Plus I always have plenty of worms for fishing.
Incorrect numbering
This is good insight. We have two of these bins. We’ve hit some issues like the video author. Most notably the castings getting to the sump and the worms not migrating. But I’m going to try your idea of getting them to move down.
Why do you have castings in the sump? I think that's why it's not breathing. I think that is supposed to be open, maybe just liquid there. Your bins are so full the upper bin is compressing the lower, but the weight should be on the plastic tabs, not on the castings. This is also reducing airflow. I'd take some material out -everything from the sump and reduce each tray by a third. It's okay for some worms to end up in the garden! Thanks for the video!
Emily, loved the 3:30 mark & the cast quality. Good tip on maintaining aeration, too. excellent video content and objective review!
Hello. I'm a worm newbie thanks for doing the videos. I think the problem with your bottom tray is the cardboard in the bottom tray is a food source, so the worms will never migrate if there's a food source. It's also wet enough in there to hatch the eggs so maybe it's just the babys down there.
Stumbled across your video when I was looking into some information on my Worm Factory 360. You made a few comments about how this compares to other farms. Do you have some farms you've tested that you feel are better? I'm going to see what else you have on your channel in case you cover it at some point.
One thing I have learned with my WF360 is that the juice's from what ever you put in top tray will work to the bottom so worms will follow the juice if it is yummy lol. That is one reason they stay in the finished compost. Kind of common sense but something we don't think about off hand when you are try to get them to go up to the food.
David Rautio great point! Thanks for watching.
Thank you. Do you know a resource for Eisenia Fetida? Everyone wants to add Indian Blue to the mix, I only want Eisenia about a quarter to a half pound. Thanks.
Which one is your best system
A friend of mine suggested freezeing scraps and the hitting them with a hammer to break them down (size wise) before the worms get to them. What do you think about this?
Which worm bin do you recommend? I started in storage bins but don't like to dig them out so much to harvest. I have lots of food scaps I want to use and also want to be able to harvest compost quickly and more frequently. Also should I get more than just one?
Thanks for the detailed tour, that’s really helpful. When you say “screen “some thing, what do you mean? Do you use some kind of screening mechanism to get the castings out?
I'm loving my worm factory, I do take the time to cut down the scraps into very small pieces, its so much better i find ☺
The lower the more moisture the more fun for the worms. Found something to try out this morning. With the baropressure to storm, worms naturally rise. That would be a good harvest moment in these stacking bins.
What others worm composers have you tried and which is your favorite?
Of the systems you have which one works best for you
How many worm bids do you have? How much worm casting do they produce?
Oh that's a hard call... I start and retire bins frequently but I usually sit at around 20.
enjoying your videos about worm composting,something I would love to try.
Mary eh721 what’s holding you back?
As always, a pleasure to watch you mess with your worms. Something I love to do as well. The castings are looking great. Sitting here with my cup of coffee enjoying your videos.
Lilia Kogan thanks for being a loyal subscriber! Love to bring you along!
Thanks for showing all the layers. I was convinced mine is wrong because it is so compacted. Not crazy about this system. It does the job, but does not give me peace of mind along the way.
Richelle Mccowan yes it’s not my favorite either but I make do with it. If I wasn’t filming videos I would probably retire this system but they all have their pros and cons! Thanks for watching.
@@TheCrazyWormLady I'm looking at the urban bag right now, wondering if I can sell the worm factory.🤔
@@TheCrazyWormLady I forgot to thank you for puncturing the oranges. Something to look forward to next week LOL
Richelle McCowan you are welcome! And yesss the UWB will not disappoint! Maybe FB Marketplace you could try to sell it local?
does this smell if used indoors?
I am new to this process, and have a question about the square lid on the worm factory. If I Keep it sealed all the time, will my worms get enough oxygen?
So you've discussed not the best aeration, and the worms dont climb as marketed. What are your other systems? Which do you like best?
Hey Now my Continuous Flow Throughs are probably my favorite, but I am a huge fan of DIY Systems as well. What do you use?
What do you do when the worms are sluggish?
What a good video to watch on a sunday morning over here hahaha. You should get a tripod, btw.
Muhammad Danial I have one, lol. I just end up picking up the camera to zoom and all. Hoping moving forward my other half will help with filming so it isn’t so shaky. Thanks for watching as always!
It'll be like hanging pictures on the wall. "That's cooked, higher, more to the left... " need I go on? lol Very good quality considering it's one handed and mobile- don't get too hard on yourself!
My worms are constantly escaping! I have dead worms all over my basement floor around the system. Last year I used a plastic bin and nobody escaped. Am I doing something wrong?
Hello, does anyone know if you can raise nightcrawlers in this bin set up?
Why not dry those castings out? They are ready for harvest once they dry out.
Catherine Fredericks I did! 😀
I get worms in the ladder area, but never all those castings at all?
Thank you Emily for doing this update and review. That sure is a great deal of compost in there, how long would you say you have been using this one? Catherine
My Hillside Garden a year! And I have harvested 5 trays or so over the year. Just rotate them out as I have time.
Where are those pretty pink gloves. How much do you sell your worm castings
How do you keep the worms from crawling down and dying in the catch basin
ABADDON 247 The worms are very good at finding their way back up. They don’t die down there... I find that they thrive. Is your catch basin wet?
@@TheCrazyWormLady no it's on the dry side. But they die down there
ABADDON 247 I keep some moist bedding down there Incase they fall. Then they can eat. Just check it once a week or so and save any that found their way down there.
I've been doing the plastic bins and I like that closed system much better
ABADDON 247 check out my CFT videos. I love those even more!
What other system do you use that you like better and is the best in your opinion?
Definitely check out my playlists on the Urban Worm Bag and VermiBag. Both are continuous flow through systems and are by far my favorite. If we are being completely honest, I would rather use totes than the Worm Factory. It's just a royal pain.
My worms are really sluggish too, but I am not sure why. If I pick one up, sometimes it takes seconds before it begins to move. Is this a sign of some sort that I need to do things differently?
No... I have found that as long as food is getting eaten, they are fine. Blue worms tend to be livelier than red wigglers and I have a mix.
You need to cover the top with damp newspaper sheets and keep checking it to make sure it is moist enough. You are supposed to move the bottom tray to the top when you have all the bins full. Did you read the instructions because it doesn't seem like you are following them. I think they can be found online if you have lost yours.
Boodieman72 I did read the instructions. Had this system running for 2 years now. I choose to do things a little differently from the instructions. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I learn a lot along the way.
i try set up one too
Has anyone raised Euros in the worm factory 360? Curious
TheGardenlady01 I haven’t seen it, but it may be possible.
The Crazy Worm Lady im surprised you haven’t tried it, you’re so creative 😄
TheGardenlady01 I like to keep some of my bins pure breeds. That’s why I don’t mix in all of my bins.
I ended up with euros in the worm factory and they seem to be fine. Not sure how they got mixed in with the Red Wigglers. Whenever I see one, I take it out and put it into the Vermi-bag with the other Night Crawlers.
Update… I’ve been raising my European nightcrawlers in the worm factory and now I am raising my African nightcrawlers in the worm factory😄
You need browns in there. Lots of newspaper or cardboard, wood shavings, something
Ha! The worms seem “sluggish”.
Is there a better off the shelf system you recommend?
Murtasma the continuous flow through systems! Check out my VermiBag and Urban Worm Bag playlists!
So glad you showed us this. I was surprised to learn that a good amount of worms didn’t migrate to the top as advertised.
What do you do with the worms on the bottom tray? How do you screen this tray?
I have an update… I’ve been raising my euros in a worm factory type tower, and now I am raising my African nightcrawlers in my worm factory and they are doing awesome.
I think if all the worms moved up the trays that they would quickly overpopulate and become un manageable, I feel like even though some of them stay behind in lower levels you actually end up with many more worms than you could have if they all moved up because before long they would not be able to move as there would be too many worms and you would still have to remove them.
Very interesting
Rusty lungzs thank you!
Dope
Would you recommend this to a first-time worm composer? As you mentioned, this is marketed for this purpose, but I'm open to all suggestions. Thank you!
I am a novice and I am enjoying this worm farm. These videos are very helpful
Wait you can throw your junk mail in it?😮
جيد ❤
Have you ever thrown a dead mouse or gopher in the mix?
39 👍 thx Em
Bud Pierce thank you!
Please don't ever apologise for caring and sharing. 🙏 And, Thank you so very much🌷🌞,,, informative,
Looks like some of the worms are not moving very much. They look dead
karen catalano nope! They do just great in here. They get a bit compacted down the bottom but they thrive. Not all worms are ultra-active and they light can shock them a bit too! They are eating well so I am not worried at all. Never had a die-off in this bin at all luckily.
Hi! Salute from Brazil! Very interesting vídeos! How is the other sistem you once comented with trays without holes? I'm using this sistem. Individual bins. My objective is to breed my own bait for fishing. By the way, do you enjoa fishing?
It's not breaking down since it's not that much moist to break it down.
No citrus at all bad move they will die