Often I have questions asked that really have no right or wrong answer.
Specifically, the question below could simply be answered, you can separate your worm bin at any time once you have it established. Obviously, the more populated the bin, the faster the new bins will populate. But there is no right or wrong time to expand your worm bin.
Dear Christy,
I have a 5 tray system with 1000 worms. I harvested 2000 or more eggs. When do I need to make another home?
Dawn S.
Does your worm bin look like this? Then divide...
Dawn,
Expand your worm bin when the population fills the existing bin. This will be a visual judgment. When it seems that the bedding is overrun with worms just separate the bedding into two separate parts and start two new bins. Keep doing this over and over. Keep the worms happy and they will happily populate your bins. There’s no right or wrong way to do it.
Leave the worm eggs in the bedding to hatch.
Why are you harvesting the worm eggs from the bin?
I am sure there are reasons to harvest the worm eggs from the bedding.
Cocoons in bedding of leaves.
I have a customer in Hong Kong who is not able to receive shipment of worms without an agricultural license. He has asked if I can perhaps ship him cocoons.
But for the typical worm bin composting operation, I don’t really see a need for this. You risk not storing your cocoons properly and loosing them. This represents anywhere from 2 or 3, up to 20 worms per cocoon. That would be a huge loss from your farm.
I recommend not harvesting the worm eggs, but leaving them in the bedding and use the existing bedding with worms and cocoons to start your new bins.
Happy worming,
Christy
VermiCulture Northwest