WORMS AND COLD WEATHER
Q: Now that winter is coming, do I have to worry about my worms? Is there anything I need to do to prepare for colder weather?
A: Yes, and yes. Colder weather, especially if it comes on suddenly, can adversely affect your worms. Unless they are in a climate controlled environment (i.e. a basement, heated room, etc.) worms need to be protected from cold and freezing temperatures.
A: Yes, and yes. Colder weather, especially if it comes on suddenly, can adversely affect your worms. Unless they are in a climate controlled environment (i.e. a basement, heated room, etc.) worms need to be protected from cold and freezing temperatures.
Vermicomposting and worm farming in winter
Worms freezing to death is not the only thing you have to worry about when cold weather comes. When temperatures fall into the low sixties and below, especially if it is sudden, worms have a big tendency to crawl. This "worm nightmare" is especially 'nightmarish" if you house your worms indoors.
However, worms crawling outdoors or indoor's is a major disaster. Worms exposed even for the shortest amount of time suffer damage and usually die. If they are outdoors, they simply disapear. Indoors, you'll find dead and dying worms everywhere. It's a real mess. The upside is you can gather up any living individuals and return them to bedding. The downside is they will probably crawl right back out. What can you do about it?
However, worms crawling outdoors or indoor's is a major disaster. Worms exposed even for the shortest amount of time suffer damage and usually die. If they are outdoors, they simply disapear. Indoors, you'll find dead and dying worms everywhere. It's a real mess. The upside is you can gather up any living individuals and return them to bedding. The downside is they will probably crawl right back out. What can you do about it?
Cold weather worm growing tips
- Burn a light at all times:
If you're not doing so already, keep lights burning at all times over your worm beds. Light discourages worms from crawling. Although it doesn't always do the trick, this common-sense measure can often prevent worms from crawling for this as well as any other worm- crawling trigger. - Keep your worms in deep bedding:
Deep bedding provides insulation from the cold for your worms. The bedding cools off slower and the worms have more room to crawl down. - Maintain temperature control if possible:
Folks growing worms in colder climates should seriously consider housing worm beds in garages, basements or storage rooms that can provide insulation against cold weather. - Keep the bedding dryer:
Dryer bedding in winter stays warmer. Wetter bedding in summer stays cooler. This moisture adjustment is only slightly on the dryer side or wetter side. Too dry kills just as surely as too wet.
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