Enchytraeus Buchholzi - Other Maladies

Other Maladies

• Mold may often be present but does not seem to interfere with worm production if the food masses are not large. Removal of surface growth and taking the cover off to allow short drying periods will help keep it in check. However a souring culture is to be strictly avoided.
• Whiteworm cultures are often infested with mites. These small, spider-like creatures are harmless and will not do any damage other than eating the Whiteworms’ food. If you keep your culture in a refrigerator, then mites will not be a problem.
• After a period of six to nine months, the soil texture will begin to break down due to the activity of the worms, and the soil will become very acidic. This inhibits the production of worms, leaving you with only adult worms. To maintain your culture, the old soil should be removed and fresh soil placed in the box. The culture can be divided into several boxes at this time, as it is a good idea to have more than one culture in operation. You can transfer most of the worms by collecting from the old box and placing them in the new box. Another simple method to replace an old culture is to scoop away the top 2~3 cm of soil with most of the worms and gently mix it into fresh, moist soil in a new box.