3 Ways Using Newspaper on Top of A Worm Bin Helps You Manage Your Bins - Plus Bonus BREEDER BIN TIP
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
- Hello! I’m always on the look out for ways to more efficiently manage my worm bins. I’ve found that by using newspaper on top of my worm bins I can quickly assess whether a bin could use some immediate attention.
I show cocoon/nursery bins, a drying down bin for sifting, and a regular grow out bin and how the newspaper on each type of bin helps tell me what each bin needs.
Here is the link to setting up a cocoon/nursery bin:
How to Start a Cocoon Bin
• How to Start a Cocoon Bin
Here’s the link to how I make my basic bedding (pre-compost and sifter cow manure):
Making Basic Worm Bedding Using Cement Mixer
• Making Basic Worm Bedd...
Thanks for watching!
Yours in the dirt,
Jayne
Hi Jayne. Great job of showing the "why behind the how" of using newspaper as an indicator of bin condition.
Thanks! I hope it helps other worm wranglers understand a little bit more of what their worms are doing 😊👍🪱. Thanks for watching!🪱
Hi Jayne. The newspaper is an excellent idea. I always use newspaper, sometimes I use thin cardboard especially for my outside bath tubs. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Bobby! Thanks for stopping by 😎. If I didn’t have newspaper or craft paper (I’ll use my roll until it runs out) I’d look at very thin cardboard. The big box store sometimes has it between layers of dry goods. I hadn’t really thought to try it - good idea you have! 👍🪱🪱
Hey Jayne!
Yeah I cover my bins with newspaper, too. In addition to letting you know if the worms are getting hungry, it may help prevent an explosion of flies/gnats. And it helps soak up some moisture.
I get mine directly in the mailbox, more than I can use. The 'local news' from the township. Kind of the same type of paper as the newspapers. I can even afford 2 layers at a time in each bin. 😂
Cheers from Switzerland, have a great weekend!🪱☀️
Hello sir! How are you? And the worms?
Do you really think it helps with flies and gnats? I don’t recall, are you worms outside? I know quite a few worm wranglers that have inside bins, use paper coverings of some type and still get the gnats. Not the flies so much.
If it works for you then keep doing it! 👍😎
Since I started pressure cooking the ‘fresh’ food scraps the insects of all types has reduced significantly. 🤩
That’s great that you get your paper coverings delivered - lucky you 😍. I get the few but not enough.
That’s a good tip too - if there’s a local paper or community paper available. The larger area I live in has a community paper that would work. I always forget about it 🙄. Thanks for sharing that idea 🥰. You have a great week too! 🪱
@@RockinWorms Hey! All good, finally getting some summer-like weather here in Central Europe. ;) Worms are doing good, a bit underfed (my wife's on holiday and I don't cook a lot of vegies on my own), but with such a supply of paper they sure won't starve 🤣
My bins are inside. I tried it once outside on the balcony, just 2 days after I set them up temps hit 35-36°C (95F+). Total annihilation. 😆 From then on I'm keeping them inside, temps never go higher than 28C/80F+, much more manageable. And they're always performing 100%, unlike outside (can get too cold, too hot... too many parameters for me lol).
I didn't mean my bins are totally exempt of gnats, but it's fine by me having 1 or 2 flying around. I used to freeze my leftovers before feeding to the worms, it actually worked a lot better. Most gnats likely come from eggs laid on the foodscraps, so either boiling or freezing sort of ends the problem. 😜
Keep it up! 🪱✌
@@thomasbazin1529 Glad summer is coming your way 😎. It’s full in here in southeast Florida 🥵. I don’t known if you saw my mass die off video a week or so ago. 🥲. Same thing - heat spike for several days and that was that. Moved everything back inside. It was what was best for the worms - and me too. It’s just too hot to be working for hours in the high heat. I’m still figuring it out with the move back inside as well as some other changes that happened. It takes time and several tried to get it right.
Yes the gnats and mites and all of that come in as eggs on our food (eek!) and then hatch in the worm bins. Baking and cooking will kill the eggs. Freezing will kill many but not all the insect eggs. Worm wranglers can decide what method works best for their circumstances.
I hope you’ll share some of your worm adventures with us 👍😎🪱
@@RockinWorms oh haven't seen that video. I was visiting family in Paris last week so I didn't follow that much on what's being posted in my (diverse) interest communities. 😜 Great I went at that time, it's gonna be helllll in the upcoming month, with the (surprise!) general election for Parliament and then the Olympics. (And possibly riots... 🙄)
I'll sure have a look at your mass die-off video to educate myself, and comment your videos here and there! 😜
Cheers! ✌
I love your socks 😍 I wear the same ones, Cameraman 😂
Great video, Jayne. I guess I didn't think about the story that newspapers tell. You are a very clever gal!
I know those flyers, too! Publix, where shopping is a pleasure 😂
❤Peggy❤
Hi Peggy! I wear these socks all the time. All the time. 🤩. My crocs eat the heels though so I go thru a lot of them. 😡.
Yep, these ones were from Publix. Aldi’s works well too. Perfect size. I get them in the mail too and the neighbors give me theirs too. I only need a few extra every blue moon.
Keeping an eye on the newspaper or other paper covering does help to get a quick idea of where the worm food is in a bin - and information is power, right?! Even in worm bins 😂🪱
Great video ❤️🪱
Thanks! I hope it’s helpful 💕😎. Thanks for stopping by! 🪱🪱
Thanks, Jayne! This makes so much sense just like all of your videos. Im definitely going to do this.
Hi Kelly! We can use all the tips and tricks we can get to better manage our worms 👍🪱🤩
Great video thank you.
I’m glad you enjoyed it Mike ❤️. Do you have worms? 🪱
its pretty amazing how effective your newspaper system works for you.
Hi Linda! It works is all I can say 😊. It took me awhile to realize the information the paper status was telling me 🙄. I’ll take any tricks that make managing my bins easier 👍. I hope others can benefit too 🪱🪱
Hey cameraman! I was just noticing the socks too! I use newspaper, brown grocery bags or Amazon brown mailers to darken the surface. I agree it's great to watch the paper to assess moisture and food. Wowzers -- corn frenzy coming up!! 🌽
~ Sandra
Hi Sandra! He called me out on the socks because he had asked me before we filmed if I was going to change them or put on indoor shoes. I declined. He was being cheeky! 💕
I really do use the newspaper all the time to give me info on what the worms are doing with their food. Down paper bags, craft paper which I’ve also used on my big worm totes, and the brown mailers are all great ideas too 👍. Thanks for sharing these alternative materials Sandra 🥰🪱😎
I love that you didn’t change socks or put on shoes! I don’t apologize for whatever is on my feet either! 😎🪱💕
Hi Jayne and camera man, great video. Very helpful advice. I don't always use news paper in my main tower, but I do in my cocoon tiny tower as It lets me know when the hatched wisps are ready to start feeding. Have fun, Mark : )
Hi Mark! Do you cut the paper to fit the tower?
You’re using the paper just as I am for the wisps! Many worm wranglers do the same as it’s a neat way to get a quick idea of how those little guys are doing 👍🪱
@@RockinWorms
No I don't cut to size in my main tower, I just fold it where necessary.
In my tiny tower, 8 inch depth by 8 inch width, height depends on how many trays I'm using, I generally just rip it to roughly the right size and then fold as necessary. I should cut this one to size really, it would be more economical in the long run.
@@madhat127 I fold when placing the paper on top of holding bins - counting cocoons, counting out worms for an order, etc. Sometimes for the cover of the working end of the bin when drying down. Close enough is good enough, right?! 😝👍😎🪱
🌺Does the worm ever crawl out of the bin?
Hello! Welcome! No they don’t crawl out of the bins. I’ve only had that once when o was collecting worms and put too many in a too small holding bin overnight. Totally my fault. 😩.
Basically the worms know that it’s death to leave the bin for the relatively dry air outside the bin. So the bin conditions have to be so severe that they’ll risk it. This is for the eisenia species which is what I have. I understand from worm wranglers that have the other common composting worms (Indian blues and ANCs) that they can be triggered to leave bins by vibrations, storms, etc. as well as other conditions like too dry, pH being waaaay off, or too hot (heating up).
Eisenia worms have a wider tolerance level for non-ideal conditions. That’s why they’re a really good ‘starter worm’ 👍😎🪱
If you had a lot of butter and some salt on the corn is it still ok for the worms?
Hi Kathleen! I did have a generous amount of butter in the corn. I didn’t have any salt. The answer is I don’t know for sure 🤷♂️. It’s an experiment 😊. I am thinking it’ll be ok as *I* ate the vast majority of the butter (🤩). The same would be for the salt unless you boil the corn in heavy salt water. I could have rinsed the cobs in hot water to further remove any butter (or salt) residue but frankly didn’t think to do that at the time. 🙄.
I guess we’ll see how the worms deal with it soon!
Good question!! 😎🪱🪱
This is exactly what I do….. I use newspaper the dads read tho as we don’t get the shopping things where I am any more, very annoyed about that, not worth the money that say x
Hi Cheryl! Real newspapers bs the sale circulars works great. I’ve gone to the local library to get their old papers a few times.
The sale circulars are easier for me as they happen to fit my bins perfectly 👍🤩. If they ever go away like yours did I’d be back at the library quick! 🪱🪱
@@RockinWorms I went to library, they stoped 10years ago, all online!
So real papers are all I have.
But as I say dad reads 2 a week I believe, unless he’s on annual leave and then it’s daily as he enjoys the crosswords etc inside.
And tome they are free lol
I’ve looked everywhere for other free ways , including using Amazon paper bags/ delivery paper packs. X and that works better for longer.
@@cherylhowker1792 Thanks for the update on your local library in your part of the UK.
I’m glad you’re still are able to get some thru your dad. Amazon might end up being the more reliable source. But do keep your eyes open for other opportunities 👍🪱
The grocery store I go to stopped mailing the circulars. I honestly rarely looked at them so I don’t mind. A couple of other stores still mail them out so I use them. I hadn’t thought of grabbing a few circulars when I’m at my store. I love that idea! I’m interested to see what your worms do with the corn cobs. If you think of it, please show us. Thanks! 💕🪱
Jayne , maybe I missed it can you say where you got the bins you show here, they appear to be clear or opaque.
@@yes350yes No worries, I’m happy to repeat the information 👍. I bought them at Walmart. Here’s the link:
Sterilite 28 Qt. Storage Box Plastic, Titanium, Set of 8
They’ve been out of stock for months online. I did see them in the stores but I haven’t checked recently so don’t know if they’re still available 🤷♂️. But perhaps the info on them can help you find similar bins.
Yes, my bins, these bins, are opaque. I have a video where I talk about that 😎:
A New Breeder Bin Set Up Plus Clear Bins Yea or Nay?
ua-cam.com/video/PgK_-WalRXQ/v-deo.html
The bottom line is I don’t think it matters to the worms if the bins are clear or opaque or white or a color. They live in the bedding after all. And that’s dark 👍🪱🪱
Hi Jayne! I know you've probably answered this question somewhere, but where do you get those shallow bins and what are they called? Oooh, I bet they will love love those cobs!! This is a great way to utilize newspaper as a guide as to when you need to feed.
I’m happy to answer again 😊. I bought them at Walmart. They were also in the store shelf for about the same price. Here’s the link, although it does say out of stock at the moment:
Sterilite 28 Qt. Storage Box Plastic, Titanium, Set of 8
I’ve used these bins for over 1.5 years now and no issues at all. 👍🪱
@@RockinWorms Excellent thanks! Even though they are out of stock, it does give the dimensions so I can shop around and will have an idea of what a good size is. I have a couple of bins now working, but they are much deeper, and Im thinking I dont need to have them so large to make them work. Thanks again!
@@katiem9644 You are most welcome! Having bin sizes that work for your body - easy grip length, carrying weight, fits your space - makes a huge difference. I really like my under the bed storage tote as a worm bin but it’s longer length makes it a bit hard to carry and slide on and off my shelves. If it had worked better for my body and for my space I’d have a lot more of them! But they don’t, so I don’t 😬🙄😎🪱
@@RockinWorms Yes. The ones you are using look like a perfect size. Seems like the worms dont give a hoot one way or the other as long as they have comfy conditions, food, and fellow worms to hang with. I was even interested in the shoe box wormery you started. Just goes to show theres a size for everyone.
What are the other two kinds of powders besides egg shells
Hello! Welcome! Probably worm chow and veggie powder. I also use azomite in my worm bins but haven’t in a while. I reason why not, just haven’t 🙄.
Initially mention what I’m adding - I’m sorry if I forgot to this time 😩. Thanks for asking! 🪱
Hai Jane, love your videos. I sure am using newspaper for the same reason you do. I noticed you don’t spray them anymore? Is that for a reason, or are you just a bit lazy 😂.
Hi Peter! How are the cocoons coming along? They must be wisps by now 💕. And the pre-compost? Have you started using it yet??
Yeah, I don’t spray very often anymore. It’s a combo of lazy (😂) and just generally not needing to. If the bedding is really dry then I’ll spray it and the newspaper cover as well. But again, it doesn’t seem necessary. For right now anyway! If I’ve learned one thing it’s that circumstances change all the time 😝😎🪱. Thanks for watching!
@@RockinWormswauw, you remember my cocoons. Awesome! Yes they are wisps and little worms. I used my pre composed but I’m not sure the Dutch worms love it 😂. I don’t have cow manure so I started without it but now I use coco peat with it and that seems oké. It seems I just can’t get the same biota you get in your bins. So maybe that’s the difference. Especially the orange one. Maybe I used to much oranges in my vegetable slurry. But they love the worm chaw and vegetable powder😊. For now thanks for all your hard work on the research and making your videos beside your wormery! Greetings to cameraman and yourself 🙂
@@petervanderbrugge7737 I remember what I can! 😂. It gets harder every year.
I’m glad your worms are coming along 👍. It’s very satisfying to see them grow ❤️.
I don’t put the cow manure in the pre-compost - I add it later on 😊. Regardless, you’ll find your pre-compost will continue to be a low active level and still have bits in it as long as you keep it barely damp and it gets some air.
You can try ramping it up the next time you make a batch by adding bakers yeast or kefir or similar with lots of active bacteria in it already. Whatever level you do have is much better than nothing at all 😎.
Lucky you to have the paper coverings delivered to your door! 🪱🪱
Problem with the newspaper is no one reads it any more and if u go to buy it it's Krazy expensive
Hello! How are you? Are you collecting the veggie juice/water?
I’m afraid in that category of not buying newspapers to read. I’m an avid book reader but even then mostly use a kindle. 😊. I have no idea what a regular newspaper costs. Maybe worm wranglers can revive the newspaper industry! 😂🪱
I went to buy one and it was 4 dollars. And it was very thin
Go to Chinatown, plenty of free newspaper specially the one from FaLunGong😂
@@mrouterrim Yikes! I had no idea 😬😩. Do you have other sources that might work? 🪱
We get a free trade/shopper paper every week in our mail. It and the non-glossy ads meet my newspaper needs. The newsprint car ad magazines found in store entryways would work, too.