1/4” Sifter as Worm Baiting Trap Update - WOW!

[@backwoodscountryboy1600]

I don't know how your video showed up in my feed but I watched it and I was impressed with what you're doing. I've been interested in starting a small worm for myself to help with my potted plants tomatoes and peppers and things like that and I don't know anything about it I have nothing and I do not know how to get started. I like your video and I'm a new subscriber I'm going to be watching all your videos to learn as much as I can and I have absolutely no tools I will have to go and purchase everything from the very beginning and I don't know how to start so thank you for your videos I hope that I can learn something from you on how to get started thank you so much.

[@RockinWorms]

Hello again! Welcome into the Castings Crew! You’re in for a treat starting a worm farm 👍 You can start with very little money spent by looking hard at what you already have on hand. 5 gallon buckets are a good way to start and what I did for my first 9 months. That said, I really do prefer the bins and think getting one (or two!) for a few dollars more each over the cost of a food grade bucket is worth it. If you’re in the States, you can usually get free cardboard and coffee grounds from local stores. Just ask! Start saving any and every food scrap/garbage you have. That’s all free worm food. One thing I would suggest you buy, used if possible, is a decent shredder. As for the worm species I do strongly recommend red wigglers as they are the easiest and most forgiving of the compost worms. You don’t need to start with many. If you do decide on red wigglers just make 100% sure they are indeed red wigglers and not ‘red worms’. Worms are not complicated creatures and don’t need much to thrive. You can certainly learn as you go with them 👍. And certainly we are all here to help each other too! ❤️👍🪱

[@lynnelichtenstern-ug1fb]

I started a year ago, I love Jayne! She is very knowledgeable about worms and tells how and why. And I love my worms. This is the first year I will have enough vermicompost for every part of my garden. I started with 1000 reds and estimate that I now have almost 300,000 ish.

[@RockinWorms]

@@lynnelichtenstern-ug1fb That is so excellent Lynne! And your population growth has been phenomenal 😍. You are obviously doing things right for you and your worms 👍. Thank you for your kind words and support - it means a great deal to me that I’m helping others in my small way 🥰.

[@bevkelly2734]

Hi Jayne you’re looking great. Fab video as always and the sieve worked great I must say. Only using powdered food to entice them out your getting a better result than using the wet mix. Keep up the interesting videos with great information coming 😊

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Bev! Thanks 🤗. I agree with you. I do think this baiting food, which I call breeder feed (for obvious reasons) does lure the worms faster than my standard fruit and veggie medley. These worms were however coming out of foraging and I do think that makes a difference as well. Thanks for watching! 🥰🪱

[@myshelby2733]

This is so awesome!!! I have a 40 gallon tote that has gotten too heavy for me to move and THIS is an excellent way for me to extract the worms to set them up into new bins. Thank you so much- you are amazing!

[@RockinWorms]

Hi! I agree - I think this method will work awesome in your type of situation. I did it the first time on my Big Boy 50 gallon tote. One round. I should have kept doing it a few more times instead of switching to the light separation method. Live and learn! I’m happy to share so it can make it a little easier on someone else 🥰

[@lynnelichtenstern-ug1fb]

I have 2 55 gallon totes from Walmart. I put them each on a furniture dolly and even my 3 year old grandson can move them! Easy peasy.

[@RockinWorms]

@@lynnelichtenstern-ug1fb Hi Lynne! That’s a great idea for those that can work low 👍. Thank you for sharing that idea 🤗. For me personally I want to work at waist height whenever possible. It’s one reason those regular CFTs are not on my to do list although I love the big volume and area they provide. The bigger totes like yours and my Big Boy can get super heavy so it’s vital to have them on sturdy foundations 🪱🪱

[@katiem9644]

Wow my jaw dropped at those worms! I cant wait to try using that method. I have a bin just about ready to harvest. Im somewhat surprised you would use puppy chow, as dog kibble has a lot of preservatives in it. But thats just me. I have enough horse feed and chicken feed to keep my worms busy. I had one bag of horse feed turn green after about 3 weeks, so Im sure the wormies liked that! What a fun video!!!

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Katie! I’m giving the puppy kibble at try. 🤷‍♂️. I’m not too concerned about the worms as their whole purpose in life is to break down all the organics available. I guess we will see! I use all sorts of farm animal feed in my worm chow, basically whatever I can get a good price on. Except for my layer feed - that’s always the same feed 👍. It stinks when a bag of feed goes bad but it’s great to be able to get some value out of it by feeding it to the worms 👍😎🪱❤️. Thanks for sharing 🪱🪱

[@kylewestrom7849]

Great idea, it’s funny that you posted this because I was going to do the same method. I got sick of spending hours doing the light method and was challenging removing all the tiny wisps, why not let the worms do the work for you! I was going to try the cup baiting method but I may have to blow the dust off my 1/4 sifter and put it to use :).

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Kyle! Yea, I’m not a fan of the light method as a go to method. I use it in variations and mostly it’s a by product of working on my worms and not being in the dark 😂. I’m glad I tried it again )I did it more when I first started working) but am happier using other methods. If you’ve got the softer sitting there, absolutely put it to work!! 👍😎🪱

[@NanasWorms]

You timed that baiting perfectly, Jayne! ~ Sandra

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Sandra! You are right! This bin is coming off foraging so the worms are looking for fresh food. A great time to do this kind of bin refreshing activity! 👍❤️🪱

[@rickjay4639]

You can use a piece of quarter inch hardware cloth and cover the hole bin. Great way to clear out the worms

[@RockinWorms]

Yes I could. I do like the edges on the sifter though. It holds the material and worms in for moving them to the new bin. Also hardware cloth is very sharp so having the edges covered so I don’t rip my hand up is important. Duct tape anyone?! 😆😍

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

I love to hear you talk WORM 🪱 BIOTA❤

[@RockinWorms]

Haha! It’s a good term to cover all the biology in a worm based ecosystem 👍👍👍.

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

I love the system, Jayne, and your enthusiasm is priceless 👌 ❤👌 I think this idea is brilliant I'm going to have to try this ❤ And I love how steady your husband is ❤husband is

[@RockinWorms]

Thanks Peggy! I really was surprised at how many worms had made it into the sifter bait trap in just the 6 days 😳🥰. I’ve set up the same thing in my under the bed bin using 2 of the white trays. Excited to see how that one works!! 🪱❤️🪱

[@madhat127]

Hi Jayne and camera man, great check in, that sifter worked really well. I will definitely be using that method next harvest. Another enjoyable video as usual. Have fun, Mark : )

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Mark! It was a case of using what I had handy at the time when the first idea didn’t pan out (pun intended! 😆). I think the key is having worms really look good for new food. 😎👍🪱

[@margaretanderson2547]

What a fantastic idea! Much easier than sifting everything.

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Margaret! Yes I agree! I do think I’ll end up sifting at some point to get the last worms out but it should go faster at that time. We will see! Thanks for joining us 👍🪱🪱

[@rico99586]

WOW! Fantastic Jayne. That is just amazing. Looks like almost as many, or maybe more of the worms were in the sifter. Great idea.

[@RockinWorms]

Hi! I don’t know for sure but it looked like half of not more worms came to that first baiting. It’ll be interesting to compare this to the 2nd baiting result in a handful of days 🧐. 🪱🪱

[@rico99586]

@@RockinWorms I will be anxious to see the 2nd one.

[@Mr9ether]

Going to try this next time

[@RockinWorms]

Hello! Welcome! Thanks for being in the Castings Crew 🤗. If you wait until your worms are hungry a little bit, it works really well! Perfect for total bin sift outs I’m thinking. We will see how the next round(s) go 🤞

[@nickthegardener.1120]

What an awesome sight 🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱👌👍🤠

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Nick! I was blown away! I was expecting worms of course but the amount and so fast really surprised me. In a very good way! Thanks for watching 🤗🪱

[@alfonzograzadaushka3470]

Hmm..Puppy Chow, cool...One of my variations on my worm chow is pulverized Dumor 16% Egg Layer pelletized chicken feed from Tractor Supply,.. It has quite a menu of components in it and the worms absolutely love it..

[@RockinWorms]

Layer feed is also in my worm chow too. And feed that’s made for with babies or mothers will have the best nutritional content. I use foal feed, sow and piglet feed, puppy chow, etc plus if house layer feed. Whatever I can get a good price on at Tractor Supply. Open bag if possible as that’s the best deal! Works are not picky about what they eat, thankfully 🤗🥰🪱.

[@JocelynVancour]

Jane you are so smart. Can’t wait to try this.

[@RockinWorms]

Thanks! The sifter was handy and fit great! Other items could be used as well. 👍🪱

[@nancyfargo4209]

love this way to separate. sometimes i just put old very rich corn on the cob in the bins as bait. they, esp babies, congregate in massive worm balls underneath the corn. another way is to help them is to combine light with bait by piling a tower of the entire bin contents on top of the bait trap and they will shoot down into it overnight. saves them travel time! i use any plastic container, best not to have holes so i can keep it more moist than the surrounding bedding. thanks for your channel.

[@RockinWorms]

I like this particular bait trap method too! It’s amazing to see just how many worm will jam themselves into it 🤩. I have difficulty getting baby worms to move out of castings 😩. But corn on the cob is on the shelves right now and I bought some the other day. I’ll try to remember to save a cob for the worm and give your suggestion a try! The cobs normally got to the chickens who peck off all the kernel scraps and then the picked clean cobs go to the cows. Nothing gets wasted 😆😎. I’m trying to imagine all the bin contents on top of a sifter bait trap. Do you use an empty bin, place the trap on the bottom, and then load the contents of the worm bin into this new bait trapped bin? How do you remove the trap after a day if it’s buried on the bottom of the bin? I’ve got questions! 🤣😊.

[@nancyfargo4209]

@@RockinWorms first re the corn, i buy a 12 pack or two of frozen corn for 5$ and empty them into my outdoor precompost bins to get really soft and moldy, i guess full of biota. it takes a couple weeks sitting in the bins outside in the sun. i put 2 or 3 in each bin i want to bait and leave it for a week or so. babies absolutely love the 6 inch diameter under the corn. i don't know how to upload a video to your channel. i;ll send one to your email. just grab the corn with two hands and below you will find gobs of worms underneath. i like this because the babies are hard to get otherwise. for the bait trap i actually take a full bin of mostly castings and hungry worms. pull everything up to one end piled high (loosen and agite) worms go down quickly. i take top layers (little to no worms) and put on the empty side to somewhat even out the bin so the bait trap isn't on the floor of the bin. then put the container full of soupy fruit and veg, mixed with a bit of carbon and all the good stuff you put in your bait trap. no siv because i make it wet and i want the soup to stay in the container not the bedding. i sometimes put a layer of burlap on top or wet paper just so i can easily find it. then heap up the other side of the bin full of worms on top. with light on them and wet food waiting they quickly go into the container. for maybe 10 minutes i move the bedding (not worms) back to the other side. it's a two step process but really quick. it's a non-stop flight, no waiting a week for them to figure it out and migrate. plus you get more babies this way too. my friend calls it a worm orgy. i actually do it because i'm impatient. your method will also work fine but it's longer. i've raised 9 kids and most all are doing great but i'm done being patient!

[@nancyfargo4209]

ps, this method also gives them a choice if for some reason the bait food is off.

[@RockinWorms]

@@nancyfargo4209 I can try the corn on a nursery bin - that’s all babies except for a few nanny worms. I don’t when I’ll get the time to try as I’m going thru all my bins and pulling out breeders to set up more breeders bins right now. It being able to quickly harvest babies is definitely a trick I need to learn to do! Thanks for explaining your method. The basic structure is very similar to how I set up my standard feed zone for a horizontal migration. My bins perhaps aren’t as deep as yours are. If I piled all the castings/bedding up on the bait trap it would be much higher than the bin sides. As my work table has lights over it I do get the light migration effect to some degree. Once again it’s the babies that cause me issues - they go down such a small depth to escape the light that I can’t remove much surface material at once. But as I haven’t used a bait under the pile….. maybe that’s the trick to get the little buggers to move their butts! 🤣😎. Another thing for me to try when I get the chance. 👍. Thanks for taking the time to explain - I hope other worm wranglers give this a try and report their experiences! 🪱🪱

[@nancyfargo4209]

I sent video of corn bait to your email

[@cherylhowker1792]

I must say Jayne, I’ve been advertising for you a lot on Facebook and in Facebook messenger for worm chats….. I hope that it gets you some orders on the chow and veggie powder, as people asking how to get bigger worms so they catch caccons in sifters.

[@RockinWorms]

Thank you Cheryl! I appreciate that very much. Word of mouth is the best advertising 🥰

[@michaelpocock3161]

Another fantastic video! I enjoy these, and look forward to the next. ❣️❣️❣️

[@RockinWorms]

Hello! Thanks 😊. Liking and subscribing is a good way to ensure you don’t miss any content 👍🪱

[@happyworms]

Wow! You have a ton of worms in that bin. A huge success on the bait trap.

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Marva! Yep! And getting a lot of worms out of 3 bins at one time is so much faster and efficient for me 👍👍. I don’t have anything negative to say about this experiment yet other than the tote is on the heavy side and cameraman broke the one handle putting it back on the shelf 😡. We nested it inside another identical tote that somehow got a small hole in the bottom so in a way it all worked out 🙄😊.

[@brgovender8879]

It's an excellent idea. Will try this out soon. Thanks for the update.

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Bobby! It worked really better than I expected. Those worms came in fast! Having them in the hungry side of things sure helped 👍🪱

[@mrice2488]

Excellent video! Really enjoyed it. Keep them coming.

[@RockinWorms]

Thank you! I appreciate the kudo 🤗🥰

[@theresarothenberger2264]

Amazing 😮. Great video.

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Theresa! Thanks for watching! 👍🪱❤️

[@philio27]

Amazing! What a great idea..I'll be using this technique moving forward. Far less tedious.

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Phil! Welcome to the Castings Crew! I’m loving this method so far. I won’t know how good it is for getting every last worm out of the castings for at least one more go around but so far so good! Thanks for watching! 🪱🪱

[@reneemeehan9739]

Wow! 🥳 I will definitely try this technique for my first harvest!

[@RockinWorms]

Hello! Thanks for watching! If you give it a try please report back your experience 👍🪱❤️

[@reneemeehan9739]

@@RockinWorms Hey! Thank you! I will do that 🥳

[@jimwyatt6652]

That works great 👍

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Jim! How are you? It did work awesome 😍. I’m really liking this method for bins that are in need of a total refresh. 🪱🪱

[@cherylhowker1792]

Good worms !!!!

[@RockinWorms]

Absolutely!!! 👍 😆🪱🪱

[@dnawormcastings]

Wow that’s so cool well done,heaps of of healthy fat worms 🪱🇳🇿

[@RockinWorms]

Hello! It really did surprise me how many worms came in so fast! I’m already giving it another go with my long bin to see if I get similar results. 🤞🙏🪱

[@esmysyield2023]

Awesome idea! Nice job. 👍

[@RockinWorms]

Thanks Esmy! I am wondering how long the sifter screening will last though. If I start to see rusting then I’ll stop using it and use other similar items to get the same result. 👍🪱

[@esmysyield2023]

@@RockinWorms if your using a 1/4 screen. Maybe you can get a roll of that size and build a small box or maybe line the bottom of a plastic jug. That way you wont loose your sifter.

[@RockinWorms]

@@esmysyield2023 Very good idea! I can definitely work toward that now that I have a few positive results from this method on various bins. We actually just dismantled a large chicken coop that was in very bad shape and it has lots of 1/4” wire mesh that we’re saving. 👍❤️🪱

[@bean1622]

Good idea I will try this

[@RockinWorms]

Hi! Welcome! It’s super easy and fast too. I do think the key is to have worms that are really looking for new food. Worms that need a total bedding refresh, are coming off foraging, etc. if you try this please let us know how it goes for you 👍🪱🪱

[@annsalty5615]

That worked terrific!!

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Ann! It sure did! I was a bit surprised at how well 😆. I’ve set up those long white trays I used in Big Boy in the under the bed long bin. The one I do the wedge method in - except that didn’t happen over the holidays, it went into slow down mode and then into foraging too. Fingers crossed it works just as well! 🤞🙏🪱

[@anthonyl.kellyakawritedisw9662]

You seem to be really good at what you do. 🙏🏿

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Anthony! Welcome! I’ve learned a lot along the way that’s for sure! The worm community here is fantastic for sharing information 🥰. The good, the bad and the sometimes ugly parts of worm wrangling. I’m happy and proud to be a small part of it. Do you have worms or are thinking of starting a bin? 🪱🪱

[@anthonyl.kellyakawritedisw9662]

@@RockinWorms Yes, I started getting them back in December of last year. I'm up to over 8K now. I'm truly loving it! Thank you for the reply as well.

[@RockinWorms]

@@anthonyl.kellyakawritedisw9662 You are very welcome! You’ve got a nice sized clew built up. Kudos! I hope you’ll be sharing your experiences with the rest of us 👍🪱🪱

[@anthonyl.kellyakawritedisw9662]

@@RockinWorms Yes, I’m currently converting my channel. It’s truly for the better. Appreciate your kindness, graciously 🙏🏿

[@alfonzograzadaushka3470]

A true succcess story, ( I knew it would be! ).. In a sifting video from about 11 months back, you commented about procuring your set of 5- 13.25" sifters at about half the amazon price, but had not indicated your source..I would prefer to spend 50 versus 100, I am a frugal dude.. If you could share your source, I would be much obliged..Thanks Jane..

[@RockinWorms]

Hi! This method is such a success! And sooooo easy too 👍❤️ Here the link to the sifters: (I have zero affiliation the company. I wish I did! 😆) www.calranch.com/se-stackable-sifting-pan-set-green-sku7059020. Thanks for watching! 🥰

[@rubyfisher2343]

Where can someone get those sifter from

[@RockinWorms]

Hi! I bought my set from a company called CAL Ranch. They have many stores in the western part of the USA. Their price, even including shipping cost, was significantly less than Amazon for the exact same sifters. Here’s the link: www.calranch.com/se-stackable-sifting-pan-set-green-sku7059020 I have zero link to them. I’m just a satisfied customer that is passing on where I found a great deal. 👍😎🪱

[@frankgomez6839]

So are mites something to be worried about? Friend/foe/indifferent?

[@RockinWorms]

Here’s a video I did regarding mites: Mites and Worms Not the Bad Boys You Think They Are kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaSrmHmGnc2En9E And this one: Mites in the Worm Bin - Making Lemonade from Lemons kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKuzgGeMaKxqp8U Bottom line is mites are a normal bin companion and can play a positive role in the worm bin ecosystem. That said it’s not good if they’re over running the bin either. I prefer to keep the mite population in the very low side of I can. Most of my bins have very few if any mites. But I do have a handful of bins that have a lot of mites! I’m working on reducing them. I hope this helps. 🪱🪱👍

[@sharonmorrow6309]

I really like your movies but there is times that I cannot understand the name of some of the stuff that you’re putting in the food so if you have a name on the bag, do you mind showing it to us or we can understand what it is? Thank you a lot.

[@RockinWorms]

Hi. I don’t have bags for most of the things ga I’m using. I can tell you that for this baiting trap feeding unused worm chow (dry grains, stale bread, various animal feeds, etc), veggie powder (all fruit and veggies that were dehydrated and powdered), puppy chow, as well as amendments like eggshells and azomite. You can use other foods for bait. One thing that makes this method of baiting successful is that the worms are hungry. They’ve been foraging for quite a few weeks and have used up almost all their food. So when I give them this big feeder they are very motivated to move into the collection area. 👍🪱❤️

[@rico99586]

Hi Jayne, had to watch this again. Have you made a video of results in bait sifter after you did it the second time? Also another question (of course), I combine my dry food mix with dry coffee, and the powdered egg shell all in one, so I need only make one pass at feeding time. Is there some reason I should feed these items separately? Thanks again.

[@RockinWorms]

The second bait round is due now so I’ll be making that video in next day or 2 👍 You can absolutely combine everything into one mix and feed that way. It is more efficient 👍😊. I don’t feed that way mainly because I’m showing worm wranglers what goes into a feeding and I think it’s easier to show what the components are if I add them separately. I feed off camera this way too as it’s easier for me to have one food set and manage that 😊. 🪱🪱

[@rico99586]

Thanks Jayne.@@RockinWorms

[@buckrogers4174]

Great question and great answer! Thank you both!

[@rickcartersr5265]

Where did you get the sifter from

[@RockinWorms]

Hi! Here’s the info from a reply I did to another person asking: Hi! I bought my set from a company called CAL Ranch. They have many stores in the western part of the USA. Their price, even including shipping cost, was significantly less than Amazon for the exact same sifters. Here’s the link: www.calranch.com/se-stackable-sifting-pan-set-green-sku7059020 I have zero link to them. I’m just a satisfied customer that is passing on where I found a great deal. 👍😎🪱

[@القناص-و7م]

❤🌹🪱🌺🌸👍🥀

[@RockinWorms]

Thanks!

[@rhondamontiel3827]

Omg you just baited them out why re-stress them by dumping them back?

[@RockinWorms]

@@rhondamontiel3827 Hi Rhonda! They were dumped into a new bin full of fresh pre-compost and biota. That’s exactly where they needed to go. I guess I’m not understanding your concern 🤷‍♂️? 🪱

[@rhondamontiel3827]

This has to be much more gentle on the worms 🪱

[@RockinWorms]

Hi Rhonda! Baiting out is definitely easier on the worms than sifting. I do both though depending on circumstances. Mostly on how wet or dry the castings are. I like having different options! 🪱🪱😎