Worms?

[Newbi]

The mass of worms has literally broken the door off the compost bin. They're oozing out - it's like a bowl of spagetti - but worms ... SURELY this isn't normal??????

[redser]

Slugs (and snails) are detritivores, so they are an important part of the composting process. If they find enough to eat in your compost bin, they have to reason to leave it ~ they will live, eat, breed and die in the compost heap (snails are more roaming, they can go anywhere because their house is on their back).
Slug eggs are consumed by ground beetles and other things: don't worry that your heap is going to be breeding a super army of slugs
http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.co....vice_slugs.pdf

Slugs really speed things along. I left a heap of peas stems around one night as I had to run before I cold get them to the compost bin. Came back a couple of days later and there were masses of bright green swirly poos everywhere Got me thinking that it would be good to collect them and put them in my composters. Then i read how they would breed and you would end up spreading slug eggs all over the plot in the future. Thought a bit more about it ... I will be covering my beds in balck plastic over winter. Once it gets really cold I could spread the compost over the plastic, then cover it with another layer of plastic to stop the rain washing it out. Was thinking that a couple of weeks of harsh cold would kill the eggs and cleanse the compost. Then I could return the compost to the bins. What do you think?

btw - that photo is AMAZING!

[zazen999]

The mass of worms has literally broken the door off the compost bin. They're oozing out - it's like a bowl of spagetti - but worms ... SURELY this isn't normal??????

[ATTACH=CONFIG]31550[/ATTACH]

Looks like your bin needs emptying! I'm going to send this link to my composting expert friend for her feedback!

[rustylady]

The mass of worms has literally broken the door off the compost bin. They're oozing out - it's like a bowl of spagetti - but worms ... SURELY this isn't normal??????

[ATTACH=CONFIG]31550[/ATTACH]

Looks to me like your worms have run out of food. Your compost looks lovely.

[hamesy]

The local fishing tackle shop might have them off you.

Failing that send some my way

[veggiechicken]

That photo has given me the eebies-jeebies I really can't look at it

[zazen999]

Ok. I've moved this to a new thread as it deserves one!

My composting expert [a published composting author] said she has never seen anything like it. And her comments are that it would be a mixture of running out of food and it being too hot so they are all trying to escape at once.

So pop those worms in a box, lift off the top, get all the decent compost out of there, pop the worms back in the bottom and get it filled asap. Even if it is shredded paper, veg waste and mowings - give them something to eat!

[MyLifeWithAndrew]

That photo has given me the eebies-jeebies I really can't look at it

I'm with veggie on this one.
I know this is great, but it still creeped me out.

[pauco]

I,ll bet there is a few Blackbirds in your garden, drooling at the thought of all those worms on the move.

paul.

[PyreneesPlot]

No moles, then? I have a clever one under/in my compost bin, altough as it is sieving the compost and piling it up outside the bin in heaps it'l be left alone!

Wonderful photo.

[Dusty Rhodes]

Welcome to the forum.

That is an amazing sight. When they get bigger, you can ride one like Kyle MacLachlan

[Newton]

I know marc bolan rode a white swan......what did sting ride?

[Dusty Rhodes]

I know marc bolan rode a white swan......what did sting ride?

I was thinking of the movie "Dune" with Kyle MacLachlan(Paul Atreides) riding the giant sandworm.It was a bit of a screw-up when I said Sting...nutters must be wearing off on me!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj7R_2WWdKs

[veggiechicken]

...nutters must be wearing off on me!

We're all Nutters really - but only some of us admit it! You're almost there, Dusty. When you're ready, put your name down here http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...s%27+club.html

[snohare]

It's no good Dusty - you're not going to worm your way out of this one...

I honestly thought that must be a Photoshopped picture, must have been absolutely optimum conditions for reproduction, and then a Malthusian crash in availability of food.
You don't by any chance have the same garden designer as Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, do you newbi ?