I am happy again today, I want you all to know .........

Great news, Diane!

I can feel your happiness from here Diane....

Splendid Diane - they don't give up so easily!

they are wonderful things our bin is full of them. keeping them moist is the key for worms. :o)

Thank you everyone. Remembering to follow the advice of Goyers also helps when in trouble.

I was told a pint of "pee" once a week was quite sufficient moisture but I've no worms. Perhaps I should try your method ?

the urine is to up the ammonia content rather than for the worms hank!

Good to hear your worms have returned. I think they'll stay if you keep the compost moist.

I paid £18 for my Brandling Worms. Now know I could have bred them myself keeping the bin contents at the right amount of moisture during the warmer weather.

A gallon of plain water a week seems to be right for the summer months. I dont know about winter. Just have to keep checking the moisture content. I wrap the bin in fleece anyway, to keep them warm. Perhaps its best left alone. I do know they move into the centre of the contents when it gets colder. They do feel the cold ! The potting soil they produce can be shovelled out from the bottom of the bin in Spring without disturbing them.

Good news then, Diane.It always amazes me how they just 'appear' in the compost!

There was a space in a third of the bin, so today I am hoeing off all my green manure, which should really be dug in, collecting it up in a bucket and placing into the compost bin to feed them over the next 2 months before they hibernate for the winter.
Its like keeping pets. I really care about them after the shock I had in the summer.