What is the white fungus like stuff growing on the bottom of my worm bin?

by Gordo
(Beverly Hills Florida)

I lifted my bin yesterday to check if any worms had fallen through the bottom and found this white stuff growing on the outside bottom of the bin.

I wiped it off with a paper towel soaked in alcohol.
I checked the next day and it had not come back yet.
What is it and should I be worried about it.?

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Jun 18, 2014
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White Fungus Growing On The Bottom Of The Worm Bin
by: Pauly

Hey Gordo,

This can be the sign of a healthy worm bin do to the high mycelium or mychorizal fungi in the worm bin. This is also known as "the soil food web".

Google "soil food web" it is a great book and this is basically what goes on inside a worm bin on a small scale. You have a small ecosystem within your worm bin.

Microscopic fungi that grow as single-celled organisms are called yeasts.

Mycelium spread out on the forest floor like a web and interconnect with each other like highways feeding and communicating becoming one giant organism.

But there are a few things to consider when it comes to mold and fungus. Although this is the sign of a healthy bin you need to make sure your worms remain happy and eating.

Fungus enjoy foods that contain carbs and if you have too many carbs then this can create more mold and fungus growth which can also be an indicator that the worm bin may be a little too acidic.

It may also be too wet which can lead to a smelly worm bin. You may even see mushrooms start to sprout in which you can just simply break them off and feed them back to the worms.

Okay now, like I said this is not a problem and it is actually worm food. However, some freak out at the sight of mold and have lung issues and immediately start to hyperventilate (just joking ;)

But if you want to get the fungus under control then just break up the first few inches of the top bedding (thus breaking up the mycelium web) and it will stop growing for a time.

You may have to repeat it again but you'll eventually get it under control. Cut back on the foods contain high amounts of carbs and add more carbon source bedding. Make sure your worm bin stays just moist like a well wrung sponge with plenty of ventilation.

Hope this gives a little insight Mr. Gordo,
~Pauly

Jun 19, 2014
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Fungus
by: Gordo

Thanks for putting my mine to rest.
I was worried about it being something that might kill my worms.
I'm going to take a picture of it so you can see what I'm talking about, just to make sure we are on the same page.

Thanks,
G.

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