why are some of my worms going down to the worm ladder instead of working their way up?
773524
It could be that there is too much moisture or it is too compact. I have seen both. I wedge a 1x4 between each layer on the outside so they don't compact each other as much.
773525
Several reasons are possible... One is it is too cold so they go deeper.. Two, the environment is getting crowded... Three, there may not be enough food in the upper tray... Four, there may be more moisture there. If you noticed, on every tray you lift up, you have some hanging. I don't know how long you have had your bins, but I only have thrree filled with worms as I started with 500 worms. I'm not finding any babies yet, however I am just getting each tray full of worms. One tray left. 6 months now
773526
There are a number of reasons why the worms are moving down instead of up including: food in the top is too moist or too acidic, temp may be too hot, or too cold. Without knowing more specifics, or looking at it, I couldn't tell you what the reason(s) is. Make sure your not putting strong items like onion, garlic, horseradish and the like in there. I find worms on all levels in mine as well. Some of that is normal. If you don't find any worms at all after about a week after supplying food in the top, then re-evaluate whats going on. You may want to re-read instructions or read online and see what may be out of whack in yours. There are a number of reasons why the worms are moving down instead of up including: food in the top is too moist or too acidic, temp may be too hot, or too cold. Without knowing more specifics, or looking at it, I couldn't tell you what the reason(s) is. Make sure your not putting strong items like onion, garlic, horseradish and the like in there. I find worms on all levels in mine as well. Some of that is normal. If you don't find any worms at all after about a week after supplying food in the top, then re-evaluate whats going on. You may want to re-read instructions or read online and... » Read More There are a number of reasons why the worms are moving down instead of up including: food in the top is too moist or too acidic, temp may be too hot, or too cold. Without knowing more specifics, or looking at it, I couldn't tell you what the reason(s) is. Make sure your not putting strong items like onion, garlic, horseradish and the like in there. I find worms on all levels in mine as well. Some of that is normal. If you don't find any worms at all after about a week after supplying food in the top, then re-evaluate whats going on. You may want to re-read instructions or read online and see what may be out of whack in yours. « Show Less
773527
Regrettably, I do not know. Mine do the same thing. Perhaps another writer will have an answer for both of us.Kathy
773528
I had the same problem with a few of them. At first I figured that the few were just stupid or clumsy. Then I surmised that possibly I wasn't feeding enough or often enough. Whatever..... Check them often and make sure to draw off the liquid in the bottom or the little buggers might drown!
472591
Joan, the worms may be near their food source. Try to find the infested food and throw it away. So far I have found them in my bulk rice, pinto beans and bags of snack foods.
1549865
My kitten uses both the ladders on the way up, but only the top one on the way down and then leaps to the floor. The ladders are probably more for energetic cats that want to take the express route up and down the tree.
1251393
Thanks you for your quick response. Bit I guess I still don't quite understand. The directions say to either use them on primary runs (which I guess are the little ridges just below the surface), exploratory runs (which I didn't understand), or in the deep tunnels (which I guess is right inside the little volcanoes or mounds they dig. I have tons of mounds, so I thought I'd drop the worms in there first, unless that is not the best option. Right now, I've smashed all the mounds down and will check which ones reappear. Thanks again.
1339395
Like others have stated I always pull he steps out by the top step. I don't think its you. Is it possible you have a defective ladder?
341098
Veronica, we have had the same results. Very disappointing. We have had a couple of Ladderback Woodpeckers occasionally feed at it, but it is rare to see any feeding. We even tried two different kinds of feed/paste and it just doesn't work.
1912443
Once I put the worms in the compost tube, I haven't seen them since....... I have lifted the top off the tube to add peelings to the compost and have seen no worms!
2257432
If turning it off and on doesn't help, try unplugging it and plugging it back in. Also, check the little bar that runs across the top of the rake, make sure it isn't stuck, it needs to be able to move. I've had them stick many different places, and always got them moving again, may have to apply a LITTLE pressure, just a little push, but usually it will move.
14477
To my original batch of compostable materials I added some local worms as well as some red worms I purchased online. They seem to be doing just fine with a once a week tumble so I encourage the addition of some worms to your tumbler to speed and enhance the composting process. If my worms prove too frail to survive the tumbling, they don't deserve to be called real worms and they'll just become part of the compost!
883346
My husband handles this so I asked him. it should not matter. We water the yard where the worms are. Our neighbor uses them too. They seem to work and we had not put any out in awhile but my husband noticed we may have one again so he put the last one out and ordered more.
935356
Well vented but don't let The bins get to thick with debris. Nothing bothering mine other than worms and a little smell. Maybe you're putting to much compost debris in the bin at one time? it's taking too long for the worms to eat it so therefore the flies have something to deposit their eggs upon. I wouldn't hesitate to call the worm farm and ask him any questions, if you haven't done so yet.
1133795
The tension adjustments are on both sides of the feeder-two for each perch. They need to be in the sane position for each side
2095192
Agreed, occasionally ants get my bait. I clean the area scrupulously of debris and replace the bait. Also, make sure that the bait isn't propping the trip lever open. If I use too large a piece of Snickers (my mice's favorite) the trip lever won't move properly.
472589
The traps I have do not appear to catch any worms, and i would think that the worms are not of sexual maturity, and thus not affected by the pheromone bait. Sorry
1374257
They are in a channel on the frame, so they dont lift when you push down on the loader. I use mine just as much as the bucket and have had no issues so far.
35752
I have this worm factory and started with 400-500 worms which seemed to be plenty. Don't forget they reproduce rapidly if kept healthy so you can theoretically start with even fewer. You're not going to get a ton of castings from a farm this size anyway but it's fun watching them move up through the levels leaving their castings behind. Enjoy!
187568
I found they sometimes get a bit stuck. Normally they should come out by pushing them lightly. Usually it helped when I unscrewed that bit just slightly until the legs drop out and then screw it up again.