1. A Worm Bin Habitat

2. Vermicomposting
The controlled decomposition of organic matter by aerobic microorganisms and concentrations of earthworms
“vermi” means worms

3. Earthworm Requirements
Moisture
Oxygen
Decaying organic matter
Darkness
Temperatures we like

4. About Worms
There are more than 7,000 species of worms, and 4,400 named species of earthworms
Worms are categorized by the way they inhabit the soil.

5. Worm Habitats
Epigeic *
Anecic
Endogeic

6. Anecic worms Known as nighcrawlers
Build and live in deep permanent burrows
Cycle huge amounts of organic matter deep into soil (like a natural AERATOR)
Feed on dead or organic matter they pull into their burrows
Effect soil porosity, water penetration, and plant growth
Low reproduction rates
Slow decomposers
Will not reproduce in a bin.

7. Endogeic worms Live in the top 12 inches of soil
Create extensive, temporary, horizontal channels to move through in upper layers of soil
Aerate and mix soil (like a natural rototiller)
Feed on mineral soil

8. Epigeic worms
Prefer plant litter, live in forest duff, loose topsoil layer
Build no permanent burrows
Reproduce rapidly
Non-migratory species
Eisenia fetida
( Red wiggler, Tiger worm, Manure worm, Fish worm, Ver du fumier)

9. Earthworm Classification
Kingdon: Animalia
Phylum – Annelida (from latin meaning “rings”)
Class – Clitellata
Order: Haplotaxida
Family – Lumbricidae
Genus – Eisenia
Species – fetida (also foetida)
This species is commonly found in moist manure and organic matter. Example of such environments include compost heaps and cowpats, forests, gardens, and under stones, leaves, logs and roadside dumps.
This species is usually found in close proximity to human habitation and is used for home composting and fish bait.

10. What Will Your Worms Eat?
Worms like to eat decaying organic matter.
Worms eat ½ their weight per day. One pound of worms will eat ½ pound of food per day.

11. Worm Biology Segmented animal 80-120 body segments
Segments separated by septa
Born with all their segments
Each segment contains digestive, excretory, circulatory and locomotor (movement) organs
Basically, worms are one big intestine.

12. Photoreceptors
Worms have no eyes but can tell the difference between light and dark.
Worms are photophobic
30 minutes of UV exposure is toxic
“photo” means light
“receptor” means to respond to a stimulus
“phobic” means an intense fear of, causing distress

13. Respiration Worms breathe through their skin
Oxygen dissolves in mucous coating the skin
Dissolved oxygen passes through the skin and the capillaries lacing the skin
Picked up by hemoglobin in the worm blood
Distributed by the cardiovascular system

14. Moisture and Oxygen A worm body is
70-90% water
But too much moisture, present as standing water in the bin, can reduce available oxygen and create anaerobic conditions
Worms can drown! Remember that they breathe through their skin.
Worms need air pockets in the soil and air holes in the bin. The material should be like “a damp sponge.”

15. Movement Hydrostatic (water under pressure)
Circular muscles contract and elongate
Setae are external paired bristles located on each segment

16. Sensing the environment
Senses “odor”
Senses humidity
Senses pressure
Senses vibration
Senses temperature
Consider where you put your worms!
A worm can hear a Robin, or other bird, hopping on the surface of the ground.
Vibrations can literally scare a worm to death if they think it is a predator.

17. Earthworms have 5 “hearts”
5 aortic arches are located behind the ganglion (brain) and mouth, which are wrapped around the esophagus. Between each aortic arch is a gland to help absorb food and digest calcium from the soil.

18. Temperature requirements
Tolerances
40° - 80° F
(4-27 C)
Ideal
68° - 77° F
(20-25 C)
The temperature relates to the moisture level and productivity level. Worms will most effectively process organic matter within the ideal temperature range.

19. How Does Your Worm Eat?
Worms have no teeth – a flap of skin called a prostomium forms the mouth
Food moves down the crop where it is store
Food moves to the gizzard where it is ground up
Gizzard, like a bird, requires grit to breakdown food (coffee grounds, egg shells)
Food moves out of the worm creating castings (OK, it’s worm poop!)

20. Eating and digestion What does a worm eat? Protozoa Fungi Algae
Bacteria

21. Reproduction Hermaphrodite
Mate to exchange sperm, which is deposited on the surface skin and moves to a pore – each worm then excretes its own egg and a mucus band forms – as they back out of the band it closes to form a cocoon.
Fertilization takes place inside cocoon
Average 3 babies per cocoon
Time to emergence days

22. The clitellum
The clitellum is at the “head” end, and is where cocoons emerge from.

23. The Finished Product Worm castings-the manure of the earthworm
Use 2 tablespoons per 4” pots
¼ -1/2 cup for one gallon transplants
Dig holes around plants and fill with castings

24. Environmental Application
Post-harvest vegetable solid waste
Urban soil waste
Bio-stabilization of sludge (distillery)
Nutrient recovery from industrial sludge
Biodegradable organic waste