Condoms in the Worm Bin: Update 2

It's been about 6 weeks since I started the condoms-in-the-worm-bin experiment. There's not really much to report other than that the condoms are still in the bin.  They're covered in springtails and what looks like mites.  I've caught worms sitting in them, but it's a rarity and it's definitely leading towards my initial guess. It looks like the condoms will be there until the microbes eat them up.  Worms don't appear to be all that attracted to natural latex...I don't see any real munching marks on them. Although it doesn't seem like much, I'm still wagering that they'll be degraded within a 6 month time frame.  What do you think? All in all, who cares?  The fact that they didn't drive my worms out of the bin is a small…

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Condoms in the Worm Bin: Latex Love or Trojan Travesty?

You may remember a few months ago when I put expired latex condoms in my compost tumbler...eventually the microbes gobbled them up, and they are now gone. How do you think worms will respond to them?  My worm bin is chock full of critters other than worms, so I think that even if the worms don't want them, everything else in the bin will eat them over time.  Let's find out.   Does this make me a bad father? From left to right, we have the untouched condom, the barely tampered with condom, and then a shredded condom on the right: What's the point of this?  Honestly, I have no idea.  It's not like everyone has expired (or used) condoms just sitting around waiting to compost.  Well, I'll keep you posted…

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Acclimation Anxiety

Hey there crazy composters, I wanted to share a recent experience I had with the ol' red wigglers that seems to happen quite often...the initial freakout phase. I'm noticing it seems rather common that the first few days of having a new worm bin results in worms trying to escape and run all over the place...why is this happening?  Chances are, it's due to the main variables: Container (and oxygen), proper food, bedding. One thing to remember, is when you receive a shipment of worms, they just spent a few days in a tiny box...so chances are that's why they seem a little weird at first.  They either appear dead, or hyperactive.  I still remember when I got my last pound of worms...I put them in their new home, which…

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