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| Anybody know of any way to control these buggers? When I initially started composting, I had many worms that would work on the piles after they had gone through several cycles of heating and cooling. But I started to notice a dearth of worms in the area of the piles.
I remembered seeing in passing a reference to worm snakes here in the forums, but didn't think much of it. Then I began to notice what I thought were worms in the piles, only they moved quite quickly for being worms. I'm pretty sure these are the worm snakes, and that they may be the reason for the lack of worms. Is there any way to control the snakes? My "operation" is located in a corner of the yard, bordered by 3 other properties. All 3 properties have loose leaves and yard debris in that corner as well. I'm working on a way to take a pile that has finished heating and cooling, and moving it to another area of the yard to cure. But I'm running out of space. Any other ideas? Thanks for any help you can give. Rob |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| My dad has a pile full of what he calls "crazy worms". I've heard other old timers call them "Missouri worms". They move FAST and with much vigor. Those of us in the know LOVE to fish with them because of the acrobatics they do on the end of a hook. Fish can't resist. If that's what you have, I'd recommend keeping quiet about it and enjoying your time on the water. ;-) --JC |
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- Posted by lisanti07028 z6NJ (My Page) on Thu, Jul 7, 11 at 10:51
| I just finished emptying my big compost bin and found that in the very middle, where the compost was completely digested, there were no worms; around the outside, where there was still some identifiable stuff, there were tons of worms. So, perhaps your compost was completely done, and the worms headed off for more food? I have never heard of worm snakes. I have lots of brown snakes (that's their name, not just a description), and maybe they eat worms, but they are rarely in the compost. Some of the worms in the compost are 6 to 8 inches long, fat, and can move like lightning - maybe you have ubercompost worms. |
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| Rob, there is no mistaking an earthworm for a worm snake. Take a good look and identify your critter. |
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| When I was small, I called them straw snakes. They are larger then earthworms & brown. I think if you have them , you can tell. Or Google them for pic's. |
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| There is no good reason to control them since they are not harmful to you. |
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| Thanks all, will try to get a better view. However, a couple of points. I am not worried about them for myself. I used to have quite a few worms finishing off my compost, and now there are very few (if any) in the several piles that I have at various stages. My wife and I both looked up info on them. They don't actually live in the compost pile, but nearby under piles of leaves & in "woodland" type environs. They visit the compost piles and dine on the worms, among other things, then return home. It isn't always easy to get a good view because they are so quick. We shall see. Rob |
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