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Re: Microworms in grindal worm box



> Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 09:38:12 -0500
> From: "Tomoko Schum" <tomokoschum at knology_net>
> Subject: Microworms in grindal worm box
>
> I inadvertently introduced microworms in my grindal worm
> boxes : (    I didn't think much of it initially, but now
> microworms seem to be keeping my grindal worms from
> multiplying fast.
>
> I recultured grindal worms several times but each time
> microworms come back strong after awhile and take over the
> box.  I carefully separate the grindal worms by rinsing them
> in water a number of times but it takes only a few
> microworms to start colonizing the soil.  Once microworms
> get going strong on the soil surface, grindal worms seem to
> retreat toward the edge of soil in the box.  When I spray
> the drying soil surface with water, I can see microworms
> wiggling all over the soil surface.
>
> Would there be any way to get rid of microworms out of my
> grindal worm box or do I have to get a new clean culture and
> start over?
>
> TIA,
>
> Tomoko

Tomoko---

I have also found microworms in my grindal worm cultures.  Don't worry about it
- the grindal worm culture just needs to be kept warmer.  When my cultures are
kept in the upper 70's - mid 80's, the grindal worm population is booming, but
when the cultures cool down to the lower 70's, the microworms (which compete
with the grindal worms for food) are able to out-reporoduce the grindal worms.
I have had the temps warm back up into the 80's for a few days, and the grindal
worms were once again dominant in the culture.

Actually, I was thinking that this might be a better way of culturing
microworms, as I can control the amount of food in the culture and avoid the
problem of the odor of old microworm cultures.

Jerry