By the end of this lesson: you will recover an overloaded or anaerobic system.

Stop feeding. Remove only the worst unprocessed material, especially anything slimy, putrid or unsuitable. Add dry structured bedding and gently open the compacted area. Drain standing liquid and check the sump for worms.

Leave the system to recover. An earthy smell may return over several days. Do not add a fresh meal to test whether it is better.

A sharp ammonia smell can indicate rich nitrogenous material or unsuitable feed. Remove the source and increase carbon-rich bedding. If the entire system is hot, toxic or chemically contaminated, transfer worms into prepared clean bedding with a small amount of safe old material.

Below – Here is a dead white worm in the sump of our Wormcity.  This was when the bin wasn’t smelling too well.  It had a vinegar smell to it, so we had to act.  Do check these though if your wormery has them.  Worms being in there is fine but if there is liquid in the bottom (unless you are after worm tea, we’re not).  Remove the liquid with gloves and kitchen paper, tissues.