Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisJB  I get a lot of worms in my compost bin. I think I can recognise Brandlings, but a lot of mine don't look like them and seem small and extra slimy and sometimes cluster in masses under the lid. Are these perhaps younger Brandlings or something different?
Regards, Chris |
Those small white worms are indeed brandling 'wormlets' and cluster for warmth and also most particularly to retain moisture. The top part of the bin will often be the warmest which is why you find them around the lid. Anyone who has wondered why 'vermicelli' (literally "little worms") is so named, needs only to see one of these wormlet balls to understand how apt the name is.
I was astounded to find that in a very hard frost these wormlet balls could freeze solid against the lid of the compost bin, but that within an hour of thawing in winter sun, the wormlets were again active.
CM