Worm Pests

Worms may be attacked by a plethora of pests. These include toads, gophers, mice, moles, snakes, rats, birds, beetle larvae, mites, slugs, centipedes, springtails, ants and some other insects. These devour the worms or trouble them. Worms have internal parasites like protozoa, nematodes and larvae of some flies. Larger attackers can be prevented from reaching the worms by using screens or gratings at the top and bottom of beds and efficient design of beds. Some of the pests of major worry are discussed below.

Mites

Red mites or fishworm mites are a great cause of concern for the worms. Manure and other organic materials are the natural habitat of these mites. All worm beds contain some population of mites. Out of the several species of mites, the most vital is the earthworm mite. They have a brown to reddish color and are small but visible. Their usual location is the surface and edges of worm beds and also feed concentrations. It has to be noted that these mites do not attack worms. Instead they devour worm feed. If the mite population is high, the worms prefer to stay deep inside the bed. They avoid coming to the surface to feed. As a result, there is poor worm growth. Over watering, over feeding and wet garbage feeding are the usual reasons for high mite population.

Other worries

Ants are drawn towards the feed of worms. So, if pyrethrum dust is sprinkled around the bed, ants would not venture near it. Also, any feed that has been accidentally dropped near the beds should be cleaned. Soil that contains insecticides must not be used in the bed. Whenever ants are located near the bed, the area must be saturated with water. Springtails are small, oblong and gray insects. If their number becomes very excessive, the surface of the bed may look white. They consume a lot of feed and preferentially attack and eat the weak worms. Worms avoid coming to the surface to feed, if springtails are found in large numbers. White worms are small and thread like worms. It gets admission in worm beds through manures. Although it does not trouble the worm directly, it consumes the feed material. White worms are usual in fecal material.

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