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01-07-2008, 02:54 PM
|  | Active Member | | Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 55
| | | Where have the worms gone?
Each year my year 8 pupils complete an ecology based investigation in and around the school site during their final weeks before the end of term. Every year several groups choose to investigate which areas of the school have the greatest number of worms. They then "charm" the worms up by using several buckets of water. In previous years they have collected handfuls of worms, but this year none! There has been no spraying of any kind at school and it has not been particulary dry. Anybody got any ideas?  |
01-07-2008, 03:06 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 925
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
I've also noticed that they have disappeared from my compost bins - hope they'll return soon and get going on the breakdown of the kitchen waste.
Tinkerbell |
07-07-2008, 03:14 PM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 9
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
When my hen was poorly I dug over my borders and found ridiculous amounts of worms to tempt her to eat - but then my house had been empty for a year...... |
08-07-2008, 02:15 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1,194
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
They know something we don't!
They're hiding in a bunker with all the bees 
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You can't get 100% species confirmation from a photo - just a reminder. |
08-07-2008, 08:32 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: deepest countryside suffolk
Posts: 1,206
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Venger  They know something we don't!
They're hiding in a bunker with all the bees | We havent seen many worms because the ground is so dry havent had hardly any rainfall in past month, thats definately the reason here.  shei
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The great outdoors makes my life complete. |
08-07-2008, 10:00 PM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Birmingham
Posts: 416
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
I Have seen loads and loads of worms
But i have veen doing rather a lot of digging  |
09-07-2008, 07:17 AM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NWLondon
Posts: 965
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
Maybe the water table has risen if there has been plenty of rain? I know worms will move elsewhere if it's too wet. |
09-07-2008, 07:31 AM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 55
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
Thanks for suggestions have passed them onto year 8. We have found huge numbers of woodlice though this year. Not just in the usual places either but right across the whole school field. Strange things are afoot here in Cheddar  |
09-07-2008, 12:42 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NWLondon
Posts: 965
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
Ahhh - woodlice need moisture, they even breath through "gills" - maybe it's too wet for worms. |
09-07-2008, 01:18 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northants
Posts: 5,357
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
Do you know if you have any New Zealand Flatworms in your area. This maybe one reason why your not seeing many earthworms..Just a thought.. Factsheetabout New Zealand flatworm |
09-07-2008, 05:20 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 55
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
Thanks for the tip. I'll get the darlings onto it. Their next project "Operation Kiwi Flatworm!" |
09-07-2008, 08:14 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NWLondon
Posts: 965
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayleigh Do you know if you have any New Zealand Flatworms in your area. This maybe one reason why your not seeing many earthworms..Just a thought.. Factsheetabout New Zealand flatworm |
Yes - more sinister explanation, but it could be. The students could try the following:
The New Zealand flatworm prefers undisturbed resting sites. Look underneath large plant pots, garden ornaments and big stones. If you find one flatworm, there are probably more. Eggs are usually found between June and September. A trap can be set by weighing down a plastic sack in a damp area of the garden. Inspect the underside regularly for coiled flatworms. If found, flatworms should be destroyed by squashing, burning or immersing in salty water.
YUCK!  |
10-07-2008, 10:43 AM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Harpenden, Herts
Posts: 678
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
If you live in Wales it could be the newly discovered 'ghost' slug, it eats earthworms. See today's BBC science/nature page for details. |
11-07-2008, 07:54 AM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 55
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobinP If you live in Wales it could be the newly discovered 'ghost' slug, it eats earthworms. See today's BBC science/nature page for details. | Have just checked out the report on BBC. The kids are going to love that. A carnivourous slug! We are not in Wales but we are just across the water in Somerset. I will be checking the slugs. |
18-07-2008, 11:03 AM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 925
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
Back to the worms themselves, normally when I lift the lid of my compost bin I have to remember to step aside to avoid worms falling onto my feet - there are normally loads on the underside of the lid and masses working their way through the compost too. Nowadays, sight of a worm is rare though the compost is no different to normal - ie kitchen waste, grass cuttings and moisture.
Tinkerbell |
18-07-2008, 12:58 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Nr Lincoln Lincs
Posts: 592
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
we've got loads here, I could post you some 
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If I'd known having grandchildren was so much fun, I'd have had them first !! |
20-07-2008, 04:19 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 925
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
Very thoughtful Witham. Thank you.
I think I found the answer to my particular dearth today - stuck my hand in a watery container to remove a plant and was surprised by the biggest frog I've ever seen in our garden. If the worms have been supplying him with a banquet, no problem.
Tinkerbell |
22-07-2008, 12:01 AM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: On the edge of Romney Marsh, Kent
Posts: 952
| | | Re: Where have the worms gone?
You are BRAVE Tinkerbell!!!
I wouldn't stick my hand anywhere that I didn't have 100% view of!!!!
Naturegirl | | |
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