WORM BUNGALOW FAQ's
1. Q With how many pounds of worms do you recommend starting out?
It is recommended that you start out with a minimum of 15-20 pounds and a maximum of 40 pounds.
2. Q What type of bedding material would you recommend?
Bedding is a high carbon material that provides bulk to the waste to increase air flow. The ideal carbon to nitrogen ratio of waste for vermicomposting is 30:1. Typical carbon bedding materials used are: shredded newspaper paper and cardboard waste, shredded leaves, wood shavings or chips, chopped straw or hay, coir (coconut husks), sawdust (avoid cedar, citrus, eucalyptus). The 'nitrogen' referred to in the above ratio is simply the food wastes.
3. Q What should the moisture level be?
Worms thrive in a very wet environment. The ideal moisture range in 80 - 90%. You want the bedding to be evenly and thoroughly moist. Just remember that it is better to have the bedding too wet than too dry.
4. Q Do I operate the Worm Wigwam the same as a regular worm bin?
Disregard everything you have read about feeding a worm bin! The Worm Bungalow uses a completely different technology and is thus managed very differently. Using other techniques will defeat the purpose of the system and possibly harm the worms.
5. Q How much food waste can be added to the Worm Bungalow?
Once the unit is up and running, you may add up to 20 of food scraps per day. Always remember to layer the nitrogen food waste and carbon bedding.
6. Q How do I harvest the vermicompost?
Grip the harvest handle and crank it until you feel it stop. Reverse and crank until you feel the opposite stop. Repeat this process until a 1 inch layer has fallen into the bottom tray. You can now remove the castings or allow them to remain in the tray for drying until the next feeding time or remove it immediately for use. Expect to harvest up to 10 lbs. of nutritious castings (worm poop) per day.
7. Q How often do I harvest the castings?
Every time you feed the wigwam you may harvest the castings.
8. Q So what is the biggest advantage of the Worm Bungalow over other types of worm bins?
The biggest advantage is the natural separation of the worms from the finished castings. Because of the flow through design the worms never have to be separated from the finished castings. And because of the design, the Worm Bungalow will process more organic waste than any other system.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
The new exhaust lid for the Worm Bungalow will regulate the temperature range anywhere from 60 to 90 degrees. Any food waste can now be put into the Bungalow with no worry of over heating. It has been tested and proven by Jonathan Craig, worm specialist from the Good Earth Company. If you want to fatten up the worms set the temperature to 60-65 degrees. For the production of worm cocoons, set the temperature to 80-85 degrees. Included with lid is: temperature gauge and probe, exhaust fan protected by metal mesh screen, and a new lid.