CLOSED: INVADERS (?) in Worm Bin

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Ina_33 Durban, South Africa Feb 15, 2010

I found these worms(?) in my Red Wriggler Worm Bin. Please can someone identify? Should I get rid of them or leave them to cohabit with the Red Wrigglers? They seem to be quite prolific producers of offspring - there are a lot of young, small worms.

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Feb 15, 2010

These appear to be maggots (larvae) of soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae); they are scavengers that feed on decomposing organic matter. They can be quite common in worm-rearing bins, and although they will not directly harm the worms, they may compete with the worms for the available food resources. If they are not super abundant, you may safely ignore them, but if they do become a problem, physical removal is about your only recourse. See http://tinyurl.com/yclvqax for more detailed information on these and other critters commonly found in worm-rearing facilities.

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Ina_33 Durban, South Africa Feb 15, 2010

Thanks very much suunto. I think that I'll slowly try to take out as many as I can whenever I come across them.

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