Here's our quick and easy wiggly guide to looking after your worm composter - maybe print this page off and use it to make sure you're doing all you can for your worms.

✅ Every Week

• ☐ Check moisture level
  Bedding should feel like a wrung-out sponge. If it's too dry, lightly mist with water. If too wet, add shredded paper or cardboard.

• ☐ Feed a small amount of food waste
  1–2 handfuls per week is enough to start. Chop food up small. Avoid overfeeding.

• ☐ Cover food with bedding or newspaper
  This prevents smells and fruit flies.

• ☐ Check worm behaviour
  Worms should be under the blanket, not crawling up the sides or escaping. If they are, review moisture, temperature, and food.

• ☐ Check the moisture mat
  Keep it damp. Replace if it starts to break down.

• ☐ Drain liquid (leachate)
  If your wormery collects liquid, open the tap and drain it into a container. Use diluted (1:10) as plant food or discard if it smells bad.

✅ Every Month

• ☐ Gently stir the top layer
  This helps with airflow and breaks up any clumps. Be gentle—not too deep.

• ☐ Add dry bedding
  Top up with shredded paper/cardboard to balance moisture and keep the worms happy.

• ☐ Check for pests
  Look out for fruit flies, ants, or larvae. If present, reduce food, cover it better, and make sure the bin isn’t too wet.

• ☐ Check temperature
  Worms like 15–25°C. In hot or cold weather, move the wormery somewhere more stable (shed, garage, shady spot).

✅ Every 3–6 Months

• ☐ Harvest compost
  When the bottom tray is full of dark, crumbly compost, it’s time to harvest! Rotate trays and add a fresh one on top.

• ☐ Separate any straggler worms
  Pick out worms from finished compost and return them to the active layer.

🛠 Occasional Tasks

• ☐ Replace worm blanket if it becomes soggy or disintegrates.

• ☐ Wash trays (once or twice a year) with plain water—avoid soaps or chemicals.

• ☐ Add crushed eggshells or lime occasionally to balance acidity.