Vermiculite

[The Great Wallsendo]

Does Vermiculite cause Worm baits to perish?

Bought a load of Rag last friday afternoon - and by sunday afternoon it was mush and I mean 'orrible stinky, pussy mush

I've kept Rag for a couple of days before and it's never deteriorated so quickly as it did in this case...so...does vermiculite help or hinder worm baits?

 

[Gaverick]

It's very absorbent so it's supposed to soak up excess moisture to stop the worms perishing, but maybe there was too much of the stuff so it dehydrated the worms and killed them that way instead.

 

[KeithB]

Did you put them in the fridge Tony? don't last very long otherwise.

I spread them out in a cat litter tray lined with newspaper.

Of course the worm you bought may of already been ready to turn.

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

I'd kept 'em in a cool dark place...prob a contribution of a couple of things, there was loads of vermiculite, it was a small'ish container so they were crammed in...dunno really - I may stear clear of vermiculite from now on though and do as Keith says and keep them covered in damp paper :thumbup:

 

[KeithB]

I still have vermiculite in the tray but spread it out

 

[RONVIK]

The danish way: plastic container with a lid(+holes!), a hand-full of dark wet peat-moss(the kind one uses for indoor potted plants).they can live up to 4-5 days in the fridge and they are still juicy and lively. just check daily for any dead ones.

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

I had a feeling they may digest it - as there was a lot of powder as well...quite a lot of them had turned their heads inside out too

cheers for the info

(I think I'll get Pete in from now on - he seems to know his onions )

 

[phill_itofish]

I had a feeling they may digest it - as there was a lot of powder as well...quite a lot of them had turned their heads inside out too

cheers for the info

(I think I'll get Pete in from now on - he seems to know his onions )

i Always get mine in saw dust, and aslong as i change the paper every day and kept them cool i've had them last for upto 5 days

 

[tonynufc]

the rag i get is always in peat and the worms are always spot on. why keep them in vermiculite or sawdust you dont find them living in it.

 

[phill_itofish]

the rag i get is always in peat and the worms are always spot on. why keep them in vermiculite or sawdust you dont find them living in it.

Good point mate but do you find them in peat lol

 

[codseeker]

if i buy any rag from the shop i fling the peat stuff away,then put a layer of damp newspaper just damp in a container on the bottom the worm then cover again in newspaper never had any prob keeping and they keep fresher than in that peat stuff as it sends them dark colour .

 

[tonynufc]

Good point mate but do you find them in peat lol

i think you can get something called sea peat not sure though