By the end of this lesson: you will respond to acidity signals without chasing an exact reading.

A wormery can tolerate variation, but repeated heavy fruit feeds, fermentation and poor airflow can push conditions acidic. Sour or vinegary smells, large numbers of mites and worms avoiding feeding pockets are warning signs.

First remove the cause: pause acidic or sugary feeds, remove putrid excess, add bedding and improve air. A small dusting of fine eggshell or calcium carbonate may help buffer the system, but it is support, not a substitute for good management.

pH meters designed for soil or liquids are often unreliable in mixed bedding. Use them to identify trends, not to pretend the entire bin has one exact number.