Excessive worms in the compost bin

I have 3 of those black plastic bins. Two a empty as I took all the compost out earlier in the year. The other one is nearly full. I sometimes notice large numbers of worms inside the lid then sometimes none. Yesterday I was topping the bin up and there were hundreds all accumulated in the lid. Then in the lower trap door was a huge mass of worms.
I took some of the excess, shovel loads, and put them with some compost in one of the empty bins.
Is this normal? Today they all seemed to have gone or were back in the compost.

 

I think it happens when the compost gets too hot for them and they try and escape the heat.
But I'm not sure of what action to take.
I have wooden bins now, but it used to often happen in summer with my dalek bins.

 

I did wonder if it was the heat inside the compost. I hosed it down to cool it down a bit, may be that is why they have happily gone back into the compost.

 

I get worms trying to escape when it's hot. Yesterday I lifted up the lid and dropped in some kitchen waste, closed it again then found I had a worm on my wrist. It had dropped of the lid and landed on me.

Often I see them coming out through the ventilation slats near the top.

I don't worry about it, the compost still gets made.

 

Maybe the composter should be in the shade, if not.
I was under the impression that hot composting should work differently to a wormery.

I get worms in my compost bin but it never really gets that hot.

 

Yes, the instructions for mine say shade, and I put it where I thought it would be shady enough but I was wrong. It gets strong sun at the height of summer. There isn't really anywhere else that would work for me though.

 

We sometimes get lots of worms around the lid of our darlek compost bin. I always assumed it was when the compost was too hot or wet. I haven’t ever really worried about it as they are often not there a few days later so have presumably gone back down into the compost

 

I asked Google -

In warm weather, worms may gather at the top of a compost bin to escape overly warm or dry conditions within the main body of the compost. Worms prefer moderate temperatures and moist environments, and high temperatures can stress them, causing them to seek cooler, more humid areas.
Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Heat Stress:
  Worms thrive in temperatures between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F). If the compost gets too hot (above 35°C or 95°F), they'll try to escape to cooler areas according to Deep Green Permaculture.
• Moisture Evaporation:
  Warm weather can dry out the bedding in the compost bin, which is crucial for worm survival as they breathe through their skin. If the bedding becomes too dry, they'll seek moisture elsewhere.
• Ventilation:
  Worms also need good airflow. If the compost is compacted or there isn't enough ventilation, they might move to the top to find better air circulation according to a Reddit thread.
• New Bedding:
  Worms may also congregate on top if they are new to the bin or if fresh bedding is added, as they explore and adjust to their environment.
• Other Factors:
  Changes in barometric pressure or even vibration can also cause worms to move to the top according to the Urban Worm Company.

What to do:

• Provide Shade:
  Move the compost bin to a shaded area to prevent overheating from direct sunlight.
• Add Bedding:
  Increase the amount of bedding material, like shredded cardboard or paper, to help stabilize temperature and moisture.
• Moisten the Bedding:
  Ensure the bedding is moist, but not soggy, to provide adequate moisture for the worms.
• Improve Ventilation:
  Check the bin for proper airflow and consider adding more ventilation if needed.
• Monitor Temperature:
  Keep an eye on the temperature inside the bin, especially during heatwaves.
• Consider a cooling method:
  If the heat is extreme, you can try placing frozen bottles of water or ice packs in the bin to help cool it down.

 

Take up fishing for perch.......