Being that most of the white computer paper available today is bleached, I tried an experiment by raising some worms in a bin containing some shredded newspaper amongst some shredded computer paper. I began by making my bedding material as usual and placed some bleached computer paper on one side.
The result was that the red wigglers avoided the computer paper side of the bin like the black plague. I decided to fool around with this experiment further by taking bunches of the shredded computer paper and moving it to where the worms has settled in comfortably within the worm bin. This actually chased the worms away from these areas to other areas of the worm bin.
Unlike years ago when households relied mainly on well water, today most homes depend on local municipalities and utility companies for their drinking eater. It is suppose to be better water which could be correct due to contamination of thousands of wells across the country.
In order to be sure that our tap water is free of any unwanted bacteria, the water treatment companies add chloride to our drinking water.
This is when it hit me when a number of people have had problems with worms trying to escape and they state their pH, moisture and temperature levels are all correct. There was a common denominator here; they all used tap water straight from the faucet.
The tap water can actually have more chloride than the residue left behind during production of computer paper.
So how does one resolve this issue? It is actually pretty simple and does not cost anything.
First I have seen where some people state that you simply aerate the water to remove chlorine. This will NOT work!
Anyone with a pool can relate to the consumption rate of chlorine on sunny days compared to overcast days. This is because the chlorine is broken down under the influence of the UV radiation in sunlight.
One of the simplest ways to remove chlorine from your tap water for your worm bin and garden areas using worm castings since they too consist of bacteria and fungi is to set a bucket of water out in direct sunlight for a day or two.
Another way to obtain chlorine free water is to collect rain water. One problem with rain water can be the impurities within the air that are washed out when it first begins to rain. These impurities can be harmful to your worms especially if you live near a factory for example putting out a lot of smoke or other atmospheric pollutants.
Another way to obtain chlorine free water is to purchase a gallon jug of natural spring water. Just be sure they have not added chlorides to help preserve the shelf life. For the average worm bin, a one dollar jug of water can go a long way!
A last note, if you are trying to produce the best possible worm castings, the chlorides will kill off a majority of the beneficial microbes you want. When watering plants using the worm castings, always use chloride free water otherwise you are defeating the purpose.
Good Luck in Your Worm Composting & Gardening Adventure…
Does the same hold true for softened well water?
Hello Bruce,
What can you do about the coffee grounds and filters the have been used with tap water?Are they safe for the worms since it’s been boiled? Should they be rinsed in chlorine free water first?
Ron K
John
Did not think about this but yes if adding salt and chlorine for softening water. I would check on a water purifier that can remove the salt if using this in your system as it can build up over time and hence dry out and kill your worms. The sun’s UV will not help to remove the salt content, as holds tru in the oceans around the globe.
Great question… thanks
Bruce
Ron
Boiling the water will not remove the chlorine however I do believe you are fine by adding the coffee grinds directly as long as in moderation or by drying them out in the sun first… As much as red wigglers like coffee grinds, you ever notice when first added the worms usually do not take to it? If so then the chlorine level maybe to high. Otherwise the coffee might have some effect in helping to remove or reduce the chlorine levels enough…
Stick to what works. If your worms take to it, continue what you are doing.
Bruce
pretty easy solution to the coffee grounds/filters issue… just use cleaned water – brita/pur or bottled – and unbleached filters…. coffee will be better as well.
Thank you this was very helpful information.
I use well water,for my worms,i have no problem.
Brandi
Your welcome… glad you were able to find it useful
Bruce
Jake, great idea, thanks for the input.
Bruce
Great topic. Chlorine can be removed by aging in a partly filled jug. Overnight is good , longer is better, sunshine is better yet, There is stuff to instantly remove chlorine from aquarium / pond water. I believe it is sodiumthiosulfate. It doesn’t hurt the fish. Unfortunately many municipalities are now adding chloramine & chlorine because the chloramine does NOT evaporate as easily. 1000 mG of vitamin “C” will remove it from (treat) 75 gallons of water. BUT an article I just found says that peroxide does it all. http://www.solvaychemicals.us/static/wma/pdf/6/6/1/3/H7-166.pdf ; John B.
A good looking article I just read says that vitamin “C” ( 1000mG / 75 Gal. ) will take out both chlorine & chloramine for bathing water . Question remains whether worms will like it. It is a very small amount / gallon. It recomended an activated carbon filter ( water pitcher filter ) for drinking water. John B.
John
Interesting… I have not heard of this. Have you given it a try? If so can you post your findings as I am sure all would welcome this.
Thanks
Bruce
John
Did not see this one… Thanks! Very interesting article and may have to give it a whirl…
Bruce
I did the deed ! A “little” 3% ( drugstore ) peroxide took the chlorine out of a gallon. The tap water read 1 PPM initialy. Next day I put 1/8 ( about 8 drops ) of 3% peroxide in 5 gallons of water – ZAP clear ! It takes out chlorine and chloramine. The pool test reagent “Otto” is the indicator. The lowest reading ( lightest yellow ) is 1 ppm. IF the yellow darkens after the immediate initial reading , there are chloramines present. It was too light to tell. This reagent can be used without the color scale since the FINAL color saught is “clear” . ; John
New guy here. Whats the best way to start my worm farm. I have the bin set up. What goes first, dirt/newspaper then food scraps, or how would you suggest. Thanks
Brian
Welcome
First of all do not use any dirt for most worms as they do not survive in dirt as this is not their natural habitat. A good base for most worms including but not limited to is red wigglers, European nightcrawlers and African nightcrawlers is pre-soaked sphagnum peat moss. Place about two inches as a base. Then go ahead and add shredded newspaper… and dampen it. Best with a sprayer… to mist the paper. Place your food scraps in one side or corner to start by creating a hole in the peat and lightly cover again.
Bruce
Thanks for addressing this issue. Well stated.
I have been a long time opponent of chlorine used so extensively, and its affect on fish and their food-chains, soil and the life therein, the atmosphere, and us. The only attention given is to the chlorinated fluorocarbons.
It is a subject that government health want to avoid- belt & britches approach. We treat the city water to drink and water our yards, and then heavily treat the sewage discharged into the rivers and coast line. Sad.
Bruce, what about distilled water and or distilled/ reverse osmosis?
chuck
Chuck
Distilled and or spring water are fine to use as neither should contain chlorine.
Bruce