Apologies in any delay replying, if you look through the forum you can see that every question has been replied to.
We often rely on a mobile broadband connection which can be very unreliable sometimes - which is why a delay arises.
from instructionsWhat I’m not sure about is how many trays I should be using at startup and can’t find anything specific in the instructions.
2) Insert tap into the pre-drilled hole in sump (please screw into place, don’t push)
Build your wormery (Sump = tap on bottom), slide one bin inside (They nest inside each
other – not stack on top). A really good tip is to place a house brick in the sump, as this
allows any worms that fall into the sump to be able to climb back out
NB the other trays if purchased will be added later
correctAs a default I’ve used top tray and sump tray only with the plastic netting in the top tray
as the worms start to consume the food the volume will lessen, they will eat all the coir, paper - everything, which is why we say dont feed them as they have tons of food to start with.After top tray and sump tray, when do I need to use intermediate trays? There is only about 2†of space between the wet paper and the lid of the top tray
as you start feeding them when the tray is almost full you can add the next tray so that it sits inside the 1st tray
dog waste / food should always be under newspaper this stops flies from getting to the wasteDo I wait until all the paper has gone before starting to put in dog waste?
no - the worms wouldn't be able to climb upwards into the next tray if the mesh was there.Do I need to put plastic netting in the other trays as and when in use?
The mesh is there to stop them going downwards into the sump
When you have filled the 1st tray to just over half way, you can add the next layer and start to add your scraps.Do you put soil/coir/compost in the intermediate trays?
Add some of the mixture from the lower tray into the upper tray to give them something familiar to move into and ensure you cover all food with paper. You will see that the worms will finish eating the food in the lower tray and slowly migrate into the next layer. Repeat this process until all your trays are half full.
no - you add trays above not below - worms move upwardsDo you put waste always in the top tray and the worms bring it down into the intermediate trays?
I’m not sure about how to use the intermediate trays as the instructions aren’t very specific to a total novice like me. They assume that you have some basic knowledge of how the wormery works and I don’t!
you have a sump at the bottom, then one tray, then add the other trays above.
worms will settle down - a new wormery is a sterile environment - that worms don't like which is why they try to leave,
they will settle down eventually.
some take longer than others
Ronnie