Bins 2 & 3, Updates 26, 27 and 28.  Looks like I’ve gotten behind on update posting.  I’ve been so busy completing other projects there has been little time to edit videos and write blog post since late 2019.  Mostly everything has been going well in the bins

Over the last several months we’ve gone from hot to cool to more mild daily temperatures.  Worm activity slowed down in the heat then they became more active when the cooler temperatures arrived.  Conditions in the bins has been good, no foul odors at all.  During update 28 I found a roach in bin 3 so I’ll have to make sure to monitor for new born roaches.  If they are in there I’ll have to start up a new bin with the existing worms.

We’ve let some food items expire or go bad.  Things like jelly, bread and canned chocolate icing.  Those have been added over the last several months.  The worms consume the coffee as expected.  I wasn’t sure about the bread or jelly.  The bread and jelly was gone telling me they made it disappear.  They don’t consume the potato skins but they do eat the potato off of them.  All that’s left is the skins.

I think the trouble I had when I put potatoes in before was there were too many and the decomposition may have been beyond what they would eat.  The thing I want to know is if they will eat the chocolate icing.  That was put in bin 3 only.  Next update is in a few days I’ll get my answer then.  Questions? Comments, contact me here.  The videos of the updates are below.  -13

Update 26

Update 27

Update 28

Bins 2 & 3, Update 25.  When opening both bins I noticed the moisture was higher under the cardboard covering.  The spiders seem to have been wiped out by the lizard visits.  I didn’t see any in either bin.  The small white dot insects are still in both bins in abundance seems like the moisture helped.  I’d would like to try to capture a few one day and look at them under the microscope.  They’re so small they look like tiny moving white dots in the bins.

Bin 2 Oct. 29th

Bin 2 Nov. 16th

The other unidentified insects are also there but no as many as before.  The heat may have been too much for them.  Bin temperatures were 72.1° F. – 72.5­­° F.  The ambient temperature was 72° F with 56% humidity.  I watered both bins to get the moisture up at the surface.  The hand sprayer sprung a leak because I left it under pressure and in the sun.  Looks like its time for a new one.  I used the 1 gallon garden sprayer as a substitute and may keep using that instead of the hand sprayer.  I’ll use it next time and see how it goes.

Bin 3 Oct. 29th

Bin 3 Nov. 16th

One thing is for sure the worms really like the avocados.  As long as they are not rotted or dried out they devour them.  I still think their favorite is the mangoes and fresh greens.  It seemed like the cardboard cover is thinning out I’ll add more next time I check the bins.  -13

Latest video below.

Bins 2 & 3, Update 24.  All is well in the bins.  Ambient temperature of 86°F, 70% humidity, bin temperature 82.5°F.  The bin temp is a little higher than I’d like but there is no where else to keep them.  No foul odors.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  There were few or no spiders.  That makes me think there has been a lizard or two dropping by for a few snacks.

I’ve noticed but keep forgetting to mention, the other two insects usually seen in abundance in the bins are hardly visible.  I think the continuous air flow and drying of the surface has had an effect on them.  Next time I check the bins I’ll add more moisture and possibly add more cardboard in an effort to keep the moisture level higher.  Maybe the other insects will flourish again.

Since there isn’t much potato on the potato skins I’ve started adding them back into the bins to simulate leaf litter.  I’m also hoping the addition of moisture will keep them from drying out creating a more natural type environment for the worms.  I’d like to see more activity at the surface again.  Stopped using the fan since there has been small patches of moisture and discoloration on the floor next to it.  It’s “winter” here in Florida so the ambient temps should be more mild.  We’ll see! -13

Bins 2 & 3, Update 23.  Looks like the bins are getting back to normal as well as the local temperatures.  The heat wave has let up and the worms are becoming more active.  Bin 2 temp was 81.8ºF, bin 3 was 82.2ºF with an ambient temperature of 86ºF, 69% humidity.

No foul odors to report in either bin.  Both bins showed signs of the surface drying out.  To remedy this I added more cardboard and made sure to push it down closer to the surface.  This should help trap the moisture in.  I’m sure the constant shop fan blowing on the bins the during the heat wave has contributed to the drying.  Next time I check the bins I may add some water to keep it moist enough to keep the worms happy.

There was a gecko in bin 3 as shown in the video.  It’s easy to see in both bins how few spiders there are in there.  Don’t remember seeing any in bin 3.

These updates have been getting shorter in length since the bins are getting back to normal and I’m not trying much new with them.  I’ve also decided to stop adding photographs to the updates unless I want to show something.  I’ve been so busy with other projects I don’t have the patients or time required using an Apple computer and phone.  Too many steps to do something that I could do much faster on a PC.

If I want to transfer photos and video from my iPhone onto my PC all I do is access the phone, highlight the items I want on the PC and drag them to the folder I want them in.

With Apple I have to open iMovie to get the photos and video to make the video.  If I want to use the photos on this blog I have to open photos, transfer them to photos, then transfer them to another folder on my desktop.  It’s become too much.  Apple is not user friendly they want too much control over my property.  Not cool.

I hope those few that do follow this part of my blog understand. It’s also why I make the videos, they have the same details.  This blog is a place for me to write notes of the checkup and things I may have left out of the videos, and for future reference should YouTube disappear or the ban me.  At least I’ll have some record.  New video is below check it out.  -13

Bins 2 & 3, Update 22.  This is going to be a short update.  Last week south Florida was preparing for hurricane Dorian.  That created lots of clouds and rain.  The lower temperatures brought the worms back to full speed and they devoured waste added from the last feeding.  I had made preparations to bring the worms indoors if the hurricane was going to pass thru here but we were fortunate that it did not move into this area.

Gecko hidden in bin 3 handhold.

For update 22 the temperature in bin 2 was 83.3ºF, bin 3 was 81.8ºF with an ambient temperature of 85ºF, 70% humidity.  There were no noticeable odors in either bin.  We did have a couple of geckos in bin 3 but they fled the disruption.  Everything is in the video.  My favorite part of the updates are the before and after images that demonstrate how much waste those worms can consume when conditions are to their liking.  Video is below.  -13

Bins 2 & 3, Update 21.  Hard to believe it’s been a month since checking the bins.  I’ve been busy catching up on projects, updating supplies and equipment.  In update 20 I had placed some pupae into a canning jar to contain them in an effort to identify them as shown in the photos below.

In my mind without scientific proof the photo below shows black solider flies.  Wish I had remembered them before they died.  I would have let them go to reproduce later so they could have benefited the area.

Bin 2

Bin 3

Bins 2 & 3 were in the same state.  The ambient temperature was 88º with a soil temp of 80.9º in both bins.  I forgot to look at the humidity percentage.  There were no odors or any food waste left in either bin.  There was a short break in the ambient temperature the last few weeks due to the volume of rain we had the heat is due to return with highs in the lower 90’s.  I fed the bins fresh and decomposing waste.  Also added some packing cardboard to see how that turns out.  Since the waste used to feed the worms is kept indoors and the bins are kept in a screened in porch where did those solider flies come from?  How did they get into bin 2?  -13

Latest video blog below.

Bins 2 & 3, Update 20.  The heat is still on high in south Florida.  There has been small break during the night hours when the temperature reaches the mid to high 70’s.  It’s not much but I’ll take it.

As mentioned in my last notes I would gather several of the pupae I suspect are black solider flies and confine them so that if something does emerge from them hopefully it could be properly identified.  I put a few into a ventilated mason jar then placed it back into the bin.  I’ll leave in there for the next several weeks if nothing happens then I’ll put them in the outdoor compost bin.

The above set of photos are the exact same ones from update 19.  I forgot to refresh the weather page so the video has incorrect information for the ambient temperatures.  The estimated temperature was 87°F with 89% humidity.  It was very wet feeling this morning.  My shirt was drenched with sweat before I was finished.  Surprisingly the bin internal temperatures were exactly the same as last week.

Bin 2 had no odors nor many spiders.  There were worms on the ledge.  I think it was getting warm in there.  Maybe they were trying to cool down.  It looks like all the waste had been consumed.  There was a roach(palmetto bug) in there that was dispatched to another place and time.  Sure hope there aren’t any eggs in there.  Bin 3 had a slight odor from the left over mango.  There were a few spiders in there it looks like the heat is effecting them as well.  They usually fill the bin quickly once they find a way in.

I’ve managed to burn out one blender feeding the worms.  I have a spare in storage but it is buried in our storage unit.  I’d have to remove most of the contents to get it.  That’s not going to happen anytime soon so I purchased a new one that already smells like it won’t last through the next cycle.  I may have to rethink my plan.

I usually put vegetables like carrots that take a long time to decompose in the blender to make it more accessible to the worms.  Items like avocados and fruits get cut up and placed in the bin mostly whole.  Those items typically don’t need assistance, root vegetables usually do.  When I do use scraps put into the blender I place the waste in a thick layer covering half or less of the surface.  This helps the waste maintain moisture preventing it from drying out before it gets consumed.

I’ll check in with the bins in a week, week and half and see how things are progressing.  -13

Project video below.

Better late than never?  Over the last few years I’ve had to bring the worm bins into the house due to hurricanes expected to hit our area.  I roll them over a ramp from the porch into the living room where they stay until the danger has past.  Each time the house was infested by spiders within days.  I think they detect air movement and move to those areas then start spinning webs.

After a friend was bitten on the forehead by an unknown species of spider I’ve been reluctant to bring them indoors for fear of someone getting bitten.  There are many species of spider found commonly here in Florida that we frequently encounter.  The bite wound my friend experienced left a scar that cannot be denied.  It’s very concerning to not know what species it was.

Unknown species spider bite wound. Florida, USA

With that knowledge I couldn’t put others living here at risk.  After thinking on the topic for a while I came up with the idea to make a PVC pipe frame then cover it with mosquito netting to contain the spiders within the confines of the enclosure.  The PVC pipe should work well for this purpose, it won’t rust, is lightweight and can be put together without fasteners or glue.  That makes the frame collapsible for easy storage and portable.

I chose mosquito netting made for a bed.  It’s not heavy duty but should work well.  As best as I can tell the netting does not contain any insect repellent that may interfere with or kill the worms.  I’ve seen people buy mosquito netting for outdoor/camping use that killed their insects because the net contained repellent.  I chose this particular net because it completely encloses the space without any openings.  Plus the net was less than $12.00 on Amazon.  An affordable way to experiment.

1/2″ 90° Tee Elbow

1/2″ Tee

1/2″ Slip Cap

To construct the frame I used 1/2″ pipe and fittings.  I used 90° elbow tees on the corners, regular tees for support members and legs as well as slip caps to cover and protect the leg ends from damage and insects or wildlife.  All fittings are dry fit so it can be taken apart easily since it won’t be used much.  The cost of the pipe and fittings was $20.94 purchased from Lowes.

I started by measuring the areas I wanted to cover then cut the pipe to size.  Once I cut them I put the frame together.  Once together I cut the top cross-members to fit the frame.  I installed the cross-members without fittings since it would be much easier and give me the ability to move them as necessary.

Net sag.  Lattice may be the solution.

Once I had the netting installed it became obvious that a piece or two of plastic lattice would work well to help support the net to keep it from bridging the moat.  The lattice would allow good air circulation.  I see scraps in trash piles regularly so the next time I spot some I’ll recycle it for the project.

I purchased enough materials to extent the frame for one more bin setup.  If I add another bin I’ll make the extension then.  For now I’ll store the materials until needed.  Overall I’m satisfied with the outcome of the project.  The real test will be to bring the bins inside the house and see what happens with the spiders.  The population of spiders is minimal presently so an experiment at this time is premature.  Total cost for the project was $32.93.   From staging the materials to clean up the project took approximately 40 minutes to complete.  I’ll post an update if I test it or modify the project. -13

Short project video below.

Bins 2 & 3, Update 19.  The heat won’t stop.  Although the temperature wasn’t as hot as other days it felt like it was much hotter that it was.  The ambient temperature was 89°F with 61% humidity.  Internal bin temperatures ran from 83.8°F to 83.1°F.  It seems like the fan blowing on the bins has had some effect.  There were no foul odors.  The only smell that seems normal is the light earthy smell.  Looks like most of last weeks waste was consumed.  Otherwise not much to note about the bin conditions.

I had forgotten to put a photo of the pupae that attach to the bin walls after I’ve introduced fruit flies.  If I leave what appears to be undamaged fruit such as mangos out after cutting the larvae seem to appear out of nowhere when there are no visible flies inside the house.  Sure hate to think we’re eating these off the tree with fly larvae already inside.

I think it was last week after feeding waste I had noticed a new species that must have been introduced by me during a feeding.  I think I’ve had these bins running for a little over 3 years at this point and have never seen them before now.  I have seen them many times in the outdoor compost bins but never took the time to identify them.  Since I can’t figure out where they came from my curiosity is up.

I thought they looked familiar but am not sure yet.  After looking for answers online I think they may be black solider flies. The website I looked at from Texas A&M directed me to another site that makes me almost sure they’re Hermetia illucens – black solider flies.  I’ll leave them in there and see how it turns out.  I’m thinking of isolating several of them inside the bin for added assurance.  If they hatch out in isolation that should get me the answer I want.

I recently ordered a cheap bed mosquito net from Amazon.  My plans are to make a frame from PVC pipe to enclose the bins.  Then cover the frame with the mosquito net.  The frame will allow me to keep the moat from being bridged by the netting.  This is the best idea I can come up with for now.  The worms are surviving in this heat but I’m not sure they are thriving in it.  If this plan works I’ll be able to move them into the air-conditioned house.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

We usually bring them in for hurricanes.  By doing this the spiders detect air flow then move out into the house.  I’ve never photographed the webs that show up after a storm but find them everywhere shortly after.  However I’ve been reluctant to bring them in since my friend received a spider bite getting into her van in December of 2017.  The photo below is the bite wound as it was healing.  Unfortunately we were never able to figure out what species spider it was.  There are several commonly found here, it could have been any of them.

Why I wear gloves when working in the bins.

She is fortunate to have not been bitten on an eyelid.  With this in mind I can’t risk infesting the house with unknown species that may impact residents of the house.  My plan for the mosquito net would prevent the spiders from getting into the house reducing the possibility of a bite wound.

The bins are a rich source of small insects for the spiders which somehow find their way into the screened in porch.  Since the heat wave I’ve been motivated to get my butt in gear and do something about it so they can be brought in safely.  I’d rather sacrifice the worms than see someone injured.  The next step will be to go to Lowes and pick up the pipe and fittings.  I’ll film a video of how I make them.  The new video is below. -13

Bins 2 & 3, Update 18.  Not much to note for the bins.  The heat wave continues with late night temperatures in the 80’s along with high humidity.  The photo below was taken shortly before writing these notes at about 3:00am.  Doesn’t look like it cools down much at night.

July 16, 2019 03:00 hours.

The bin temperatures were 86.7 F with an ambient temp of 92, 55% humidity.  Both bins appear to have most of the waste consumed.  There were no odors.  A few spiders are starting to show up as expected.  That also indicates the frogs and lizards haven’t found a way in.  Still cannot figure where the frogs came from.

Grub in red circle.

There is a new addition to bin 2 I haven’t seen before.  There were a couple of those grub looking things crawling around in there that I’ve seen in the compost bin.  Not sure what they are but hope they aren’t roaches.

AJ’s Green Topics YouTube Channel

If I don’t make a note about it, it’s not going to happen.  I had every intention to mention AJ’s Green Topics in update 16 & 17 but forgot.  He suggested I check the soil temperature.  Which is why the ambient and soil temperatures are now included in the updates.  As cool as the soil feels to the touch, the 86.7 F temperature cannot be ignored. Seems obvious now huh?  Go over to AJ’s YouTube channel and subscribe he has worm bins and other projects you may find of interest.   Thank you, AJ!

Since the heat is not letting up and it is still hurricane season I plan on ordering some type of mosquito netting to keep the spiders in check and out of the house in a day or so.  I’ll have to search for something that doesn’t have bug repellant in the material.  The video is below. -13