Composter's Combo
$98.85 $124.85
- Type: Live Worms
- Availability: In Stock
Overview
The Composters Combo contains a combination of 1000 Red Wigglers and 500 European Nightcrawlers. Why not combine the composting power of the different species? Each have their strengths so using both in your compost bin will create nutrient-rich castings quick! You will be amazed at how fast these worms will eat your kitchen scraps and paper waste when raised together. These two species of earthworms will live peacefully side-by-side as they happily consume the organic material in your composting system.The Red Wiggler is identified by its deep red coloring, thin banding, and yellow-tipped tail-end. Their diminutive size makes them ideal for smaller habitats, yet this should not diminish the fact that Red Wigglers are also very successful working in large scale composting operations.
The European Nightcrawler can be identified by its very distinctive striped banding and wide girth. It is 2-3 times larger than the Red Wiggler and, like its cousin, will also tolerate a wide range of temperatures and bedding conditions. They grow relatively quickly, are less sensitive to cold weather than other worm species, and stay firm on the hook.
Habitat Recommendations
For 1000 Red Wigglers and 500 European Nightcrawlers you can utilize any of the following containers:- 8 gallon storage tote, minimum
- Minimum container dimensions: 20.0" L x 14" W x 12" H
- Worm Factory, 3 tray minimum
- 5 gallon bucket
- *Manure pile
- *Compost pile
Bedding Recommendations
The Composters Combo can live in several different types of bedding. You can mix and match at your convenience:- *Composted manure
- Coconut coir
- Shredded newspaper
- Mushroom compost
- Shredded brown cardboard
- Peat Moss
*Horse and cow manure MUST be thoroughly composted before
using, at least 4-6 weeks. If using rabbit manure be sure to hose down
thoroughly if you are sourcing from directly under rabbit hutches due to
possible high urine saturation.
Feeding Tips
Your Composters Combo can eat just about everything you can! However, you should stay away from meat and fried food. Meat can smell horribly when it decomposes and fried food doesn't break down properly and your worms won't be able to eat it.What amount of kitchen scraps should you feed the Composters Combo?
There isn't really a need to get scientific and measure everything out
-- use the size of your hand making a fist as your measuring tool. For a Composters Combo, begin feeding with 4 fist-sized
portions of kitchen scraps. Depending on the state of decomposition, it
will take anywhere between 1-3 weeks for those scraps to be consumed.
When the food has almost disappeared, repeat with 4 fist-sized
portions. As time goes by, you will begin to recognize how long it
takes different types of food to be consumed and if any adjustments need
to be made.
How much specially formulated grain feed should you feed the Composters Combo?
There are two feeding methods for grain feeding; 1) top feeding and 2) total mix feeding.
For top feeding,
begin with 1/4 cup of grain even sprinkle on the top of the bedding,
then mist with water to soften the feed. Do not feed again until ALL of
the grain has been consumed. This will take anywhere between 12 to 36
hours. If the feed is consumed in less than 12 hours you can increase
the amount. If it takes longer than 36 hours, decrease the amount. Add
2 inches of bedding every 2 weeks to keep your bedding fresh.
For total mix feeding, add 1/4 cup of feed per 1 gallon of
bedding and thoroughly mix. Make extra bedding/feed mix to continue
feeding when the worms have consumed the grain. The mixed-in feed
should satisfy the worms for about 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, add 1 inch
of the extra bedding/feed mix to the top of your habitat bedding.
Good to Know's
- Red Wigglers are the easiest worms to raise. They will even thrive in a bin with just food and no bedding. However, bedding helps to keep any unwanted odors in check.
- Try to harvest the castings at least every 6 weeks. The
higher the ratio of castings to bedding there is, the more difficult it
will be to harvest the worms. This is because castings, when moist,
have a similar texture to mud which will make separating the worms an
arduous process.
- Don't forget to ensure your habitat has some type of drainage capability. Food scraps contain water which will pool in the bottom of the habitat if there isn't drainage.