In-Bed Vermicomposting: FAQ

By: Angela Judd | September 9, 2024

In this post, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about in-bed vermicomposting, with insights provided by Zach Brooks, owner of Arizona Worm Farm. His expertise in vermiculture and composting helps ensure these answers are accurate and tailored for desert gardening conditions.

In-bed vermicomposting improves your garden’s soil by using red wiggler worms to break down organic matter right in your beds. This process produces microbe-rich worm castings that boost plant health and growth.

If you’re just getting started, be sure to check out my step-by-step guide on setting up an in-bed vermicomposting system. Curious about what to feed your worms? Head over to my blog post on what worms can and can’t eat.

Frequently Asked Questions About In-Bed Vermicomposting

FAQ About In-Bed Vermicomposting Outline:

Will red wigglers eat my plant’s roots?
Will worms overpopulate my garden?
Black soldier fly larvae in worm bins
Missing worms in compost buckets
Composting guinea pig waste and hay
Watering compost buckets in hot climates
Adding chicken poop to compost buckets
Harvesting worm castings from buckets
Keeping worms cool in hot summers
Ants in vermicomposting bins
Vermicomposting in containers
Feeding worms bokashi compost
Vermicomposting in raised beds off the ground
Impact of chemical fertilizers on worms
Red wigglers vs. earthworms for vermicomposting
Are red wigglers native to the U.S.?
Safety of cardboard in vermicomposting
Feeding worms bread
Managing cockroaches in compost bins
What if there are maggots in my bins?
What if it’s cold where I live?
Doesn’t this add plastic to your soil?
Does this work in wicking beds?

Will Worms Hurt My Plants and Root Crops?

Question: Will red wigglers eat my plants/roots?

Answer: No. Red wigglers are decomposers, and they don’t have teeth. They are only interested in eating decaying organic material, so they have no interest in healthy, living plants or their roots.

Will Worms Overpopulate My Garden?

Question: Will the worms overpopulate my garden?

Answer: No. Worms are self-limiting creatures. This means they’ll take into account how large their population is and how much food and space they have around them. So, if they feel like they have a lot of food and space, they will increase their reproduction. If they feel there is not enough food or space for everyone, they will stop reproducing.

Black Soldier Fly Larvae in Worm Bins

Question: I have a ton of black soldier fly larvae in both of my bins. Will they be detrimental to my red wigglers?

Answer: Black soldier flies are uncommon in dry areas like Phoenix. However, they won’t harm your worms. The larvae will pupate into harmless flies within two to three weeks. Since the larvae are voracious eaters, you’ll need to increase feeding. They produce heat as they break down food, so you may notice fewer worms in the bucket initially. Worms will return once the larvae have left. You can also remove the larvae if you prefer, using a kitchen strainer to scoop them out.

Worms Missing from Compost Buckets

Question: I dug into two of the buckets to see how my worms were doing, and they were missing. What happened?

Answer: In extreme heat, worms burrow deep into the ground to escape the high temperatures. This is common in areas with intense heat. The worms will return to the buckets once the temperature cools down. Adding fresh shredded cardboard after removing the worm castings will also encourage them to return.

Composting Guinea Pig Waste

Question: Can red wigglers compost guinea pig waste and hay in my raised beds?

Answer: Yes, red wigglers will consume guinea pig manure as it decomposes. However, they won’t eat anything they don’t like until it’s broken down enough. A pound of worms can eat about a pound of waste per week. If you’re producing more than that, don’t worry—the extra waste will feed your beds over time, and the worms will eat what they need.

Watering Compost Buckets in Arizona Heat

Question: How often do you water the compost buckets in Arizona’s heat?

Answer: During the summer, the beds and buckets should be watered 2-3 times a week. In winter, watering once a week is sufficient. If your buckets are integrated into your garden’s watering system, they’ll receive water along with the rest of the bed.

Adding Chicken Poop to Compost Buckets

Question: Can I add chicken poop to the compost buckets?

Answer: Yes, but in small amounts. Too much can overwhelm the worms. Be sure to mix the chicken poop with bedding like leaves, shredded cardboard, or mulch to create a balanced environment for the worms.

Harvesting Worm Castings from Buckets

Question: Do the worm castings seep into the garden, or do I need to scoop them out?

Answer: Both. The worms will help move some of the castings into the garden. Once they’ve finished processing the food, you can also scoop out the remaining castings and spread them around your beds. Then, refill the bucket with fresh bedding and food scraps to restart the process.

Keeping Worms Cool in Arizona Summers

Question: How do you keep in-bed composting worms cool during Arizona summers?

Answer: They burrow down into the beds and look for cool spots to stay cool. In-bed worm composting in Arizona is a great option for our hot summers. Beds should be at least 12 inches deep.

If you stop gardening and/or watering in the summer, the worms will be stressed, which will cause them to produce extra cocoons. The dryness will force them to leave to look for water, but the cocoons they leave behind will stay viable for about a year. They will hatch when the conditions are right. If you don’t find worms in your bed in August or September, water well. There is a good chance babies will hatch.

Frequently Asked Questions About In-Bed Vermicomposting (cont.)

Ants in Vermicomposting Bins

Question: Do ants attack worms in the composting bins?

Answer: Ants don’t usually attack worms. However, making the compost area moist will discourage ants while providing a better environment for the worms. Ant bait traps can also help if ants become a problem.

Vermicomposting in Containers

Question: Can vermicomposting work in containers?

Answer: Generally, it will work fine – although it is better and easier in a larger container. The challenge with worms in pots for most people is that they tend to let plants get root bound and there is less soil than the worms like. As long as you have organic material and space for them to move, they will do great. You don’t need to bury a bin in the container. You can do the same thing if you dig out a hole and put a lid on the hole.

Can Worms Eat Bokashi Compost?

Question: Can worms eat bokashi compost?

Answer: Absolutely. Bokashi composting creates microbes that help break down waste, making it easier for worms to consume.

Vermicomposting in Raised Beds Off the Ground

Question: My raised beds are completely off the ground. Will worms survive in this setup?

Answer: Worms should be fine as long as the bed has good drainage and isn’t too shallow. Fully-raised beds can get hot in summer, so adding shade is recommended. In case the worms don’t survive the heat, you can always add more when temperatures cool down.

Impact of Chemical Fertilizers on Worms

Question: Will chemical fertilizers hurt the worms?

Answer: Small amounts of chemical fertilizers probably won’t harm the worms, but large quantities or direct contact can be harmful. Worms are best suited for converting organic material into natural fertilizer, reducing the need for inorganic chemicals.

Red Wigglers vs. Earthworms for Vermicomposting

Question: Can I use earthworms for vermicomposting, or do I need red wigglers?

Answer: Red wigglers are ideal for vermicomposting because they live in the top six inches of soil, where the compost is. Earthworms, on the other hand, burrow deeper and won’t stay in the compost area. Red wigglers also tolerate Arizona’s heat better than most earthworms.

Are Red Wigglers Native to the U.S.?

Question: Are red wigglers native to the U.S.?

Answer: No, red wigglers aren’t native. Worms were wiped out during the Ice Age, and the red wigglers we use today are not considered invasive, especially in Arizona, where they remain localized in their composting area.

Is Cardboard Toxic to Worms?

Question: Is cardboard toxic to worms?

Answer: No, cardboard is safe for worms and a valuable resource in composting. Most cardboard produced in the U.S. uses non-toxic inks, such as those made from soybean oil. Even if there are trace amounts of chemicals, the benefits of using cardboard in vermicomposting far outweigh the risks.

Feeding Bread to Vermicomposting Worms

Question: Can I feed my worms bread?

Answer: Yes, grain-based items like bread, crackers, and cooked rice are all fine for worms.

Dealing with Cockroaches in Compost Bins

Question: How do I handle cockroaches in my compost bins?

Answer: Cockroaches can be challenging to eliminate completely, but covering your food waste with at least an inch of browns (like leaves or shredded cardboard) will help reduce their presence.

What if there are maggots in my bins?

It’s not ideal, but it’s not a disaster. Reduce the amount of food waste in the bin and add more “browns”. This probably indicates a decline in the worm population and is generally normal in the summer. The worms will likely recover as temperatures cool.

What if it’s Cold Where I Live?

Question: My winters freeze. Can I still have in-bed vermicomposting bins?

Answer: Worms work essentially everywhere in the United States. You must add a six-inch layer of compost or food waste covered by six inches of mulch before the first hard freeze and then leave them alone. They will be fine all winter and will come back strong in the summer.

Doesn’t this add plastic to your soil?

There is so much plastic in our everyday lives that this concern is no more or less troubling than using plastic bottles or consuming seafood. We should reduce the amount of plastic everywhere in our lives.

Can I add worms to wicking beds?

It is a great idea and will work well. Do it!

What to Feed Worms in Your In-Bed Vermicomposting Bins

This comprehensive guide covers frequently asked questions about in-bed vermicomposting, focusing on solutions that work in hot, dry climates like Arizona. Implementing these tips will keep your worms healthy and your composting system thriving!

About Zach and Arizona Worm Farm

Zach Brooks owns and founded Arizona Worm Farm in Phoenix, Arizona. This 10-acre, fully sustainable, off-the-grid farm uses waste by-products to grow food and produce castings, worm castings, tea, and compost. Zach has an MBA and completed extensive sustainability coursework from ASU’s School of Sustainability.

Why Add Worms to Your Garden: Benefits of Worm Castings

Arizona Worm Farm is your place in Phoenix to get worms, worm castings, compost, soils, and tea. They are working to produce the most powerful, live, active natural fertilizer on the planet!