How to keep worm farm cool in the summer

Worms are sensitive to temperature changes, so it's important to keep them cool in the summer. There are a few easy ways to do this:

- Place the worm farm in a shady spot outdoors

- Add a layer of wet newspaper or burlap on top of the farm

- Freeze a jug of water and place it in the farm (being careful not to let the water come into direct contact with the worms)

- Place ice packs around the farm

- If possible, move the farm indoors or into a garage during particularly hot weather

How to beat the heat with these easy worm farm cooling methods

If you have a worm farm, you know that they're sensitive to temperature changes. In the summertime, it's important to take some extra steps to keep your worms cool and comfortable. Here are 5 easy ways to do just that.

 

5 easy ways to keep your worm farm cool in the summer heat

- shady spot outdoors:

If your worm bin is outdoors it should be in a shady spot.

Under a tree that is deciduous is best so it can get sun in the winter.

A piece of plywood will work well to keep the rain out.

Depending on your worm bin size you may need to build a shelter for your worm compost bin.

Worm composting can be fun and easy with a little help with these tips.

 

- wet newspaper or burlap

on top of your worm compost bin can help keep your worm composting bins cooler in the summer.

Too much moisture will actually raise the temperature in your worm composting bin.

Keeping your worm bin temperature below 90 degrees is best.

The ideal temperature for your worm bins is between 68 and 78 degrees.

Worm bins can be made from almost anything.

We like to use the Dumpster bag to make our own unique worm farm out of them.

If you are a home worm farmer your worm bed can be made from a 10 gal tote.

So keep it a little more on the dryer side.

- frozen jug of water

To keep your worm bin cooler you can add frozen water bottles or jugs to the worm bin.

Your composting worms will move closer to the frozen jug as temps heat up. The composting worms will move away if temps get too cool.

Move your worm bin inside.

You will need to put the jug or bottles on top of some dry material so the moisture from the thawing bottles does not make your worm bin too wet.

For a large worm bin you may have to put several bottles or jugs in the worm composting bin.

 

- Keep your worm bin Dryer

In the spring and fall it is better to keep your moisture levels up but come summer you need to keep them dryer.

The moisture will actually heat up your red wiggler worms.

Keeping the worm bin temperature below 90 degrees is best or you will kill the poor worms inside your worm bin.

Food scraps that are high in moisture or made into a slurry can also raise the temperature in your worm bin.

You may want to use a dry food during a heat wave or very hot days.

To keep your worms alive during excessive heat it is essential not to put too much food or kitchen scraps in your worm bin.

 

- move indoors or into the garage during hot weather

If at all possible move your worm bin indoors out of direct sun.

During extreme temperatures or during the hot summer months air flow is very important for keeping your happy worms.

Worms need air flow to stay alive and healthy.

Worm farms that are too large to move indoors may need to supply more shade during the hot summer months.

Using shade cloth over your windrows or building a tent over them can help cool them off some.

Keeping the composting worms out of direct sunlight is best.

Good airflow on a hot day will keep your worms happy and alive.

If you have your worm bin inside having the air conditioning on will help keep the surrounding air cooler.

So proper aeration is essential to keeping your worms from dying.

The ideal temperature range is between 68-78 degrees.

The temperature inside your worm bin will be different than the ambient temp so make sure to test the inside of your worm composting worm bin.

Worm eggs or cocoons will survive even if your worms died.

In the beginning, I lost all my worms due to heat. It wasn't the one and only disaster I have had in dead worms.

 

Larger Worm Farms

Keeping carpet or wood shaving on the top of your worm farm can help keep temps down.

Making sure to have a shady spot for your composting worms can be ideal for the summer months but you also have to think about winter too.

Do not add too much worm food during the hot months.

Typically the worms will slow down in the summer and winter so no need to worry about underfeeding them.

High heat and more moisture will create a disaster for your composting worms. Water in the morning rather than in the heat of the day.

Water evaporates quickly in the summer the excess moisture evaporates by the heat of the day.

 

Overall, there are a few key things to keep in mind when trying to keep your worm farm cool in the summer. First, try to move your worm bin indoors or into the garage to avoid direct sunlight. Second, make sure there is good airflow around your worm bin. And lastly, don't add too much food or kitchen scraps