Mushrooms in the Worm Bin

If you are seeing mushrooms in your worm bin, it is cause for celebration!

Mushrooms and Fungi

Mushrooms are just the fruiting body, or reproductive structure, of certain types of fungi.

Fungi are microscopic (very small) filamentious (they form strands) organisms that decompose organic matter.

The presence of fungi is extremely desirable in a soil or compost context, as they perform unique roles that other organisms cannot, such as - but far from limited to - the ability to decompose high-carbon material.

On special occassion, fungi will choose to form a mushroom as a means of reproduction. The mushroom will contain millions of spores that spread throughout its environment, usually through the air. Upon finding themselves in an acceptable environment, these spores will "hatch" and begin growing a new fungus, completing the circle of life.

Do I want Fungi in my Worm Bin?

Absoloutely! Fungi is a crucial part of a soil/compost ecosystem, and often the part we are lacking in most.

Fungi in your worm bin will increase the microbial diversity, quality, and rate of decomposition in your bin.

Remember that worms don't have interest in organic matter until it has been populated with microbes. Fungi will help prepare the food (especially higher-carbon material) for the worms quicker, and will increase the quality and microbial diversity of the worm castings.

However, just like there are good and bad types of bacteria, there are good and bad types of fungi. In a future post I will write about fungi in the worm bin, while this one is more focused on mushrooms specifically.

Related: Can there ever be too much fungi in the worm bin?

You'd have to make a series of calculated mistakes to ever see too much fungi in your worm bin, and at that point its not the fungi's fault - its just taking advantage of the fact that you've built a bin for fungi instead of a bin for worms.

What causes Mushrooms in the Worm Bin?

Mushrooms will appear in your worm bin when fungal networks decide to fruit.

In a Worm Bin, it is likely that you will see a mushroom because of at least one of the following:

1. That specific fungal species was at one point introduced in your bin

2. There is a lot of organic matter that that specific fungus prefers (this will usually be high carbon material)

3. The area where that fungus is growing has moisture, but still has enough airflow that it is aerobic

4. Is shaded/lit to the fungus' preference

5. There is little worm activity in that given area. The burrowing and "tilling" motion of the worms can break apart fungal networks which can inhibit mushrooms from forming. Make sure your worms are still there!

You can use this information to encourage or discourage mushroom growth in your bin.

What should I do if I see Mushrooms in my Worm Bin?

You should do whatever you want - what a man or woman does with the mushrooms in their worm bin is between them and God (whom you might meet if you eat the mushroom).

Totally kidding - do NOT eat the mushroom!!!

All joking aside, its really up to personal preference.

If you remove the mushroom, the fungus will not be able to spread as well throughout your bin. If you do not remove it, it will release spores and spread throughout your bin, furthering the work of decomposition.

Do I Need to be Careful with Mushrooms in a Worm Bin?

Mushrooms pose no threat unless they are eaten, in which case some species may be very dangerous. If you are not eating the mushroom, you will be fine.

The risk is also very minimal, but there can be danger from breathing their spores in excess. This is very unlikely to happen in your worm bin, but if you'd like to feel safer wearing a mask will help.

Do Worms Eat Mushrooms/Fungi?

Yep! From a microbial perspective, worms are galaxy sized predators that swallow planets whole.

Just having fun with my imagination.

But worms really do eat essentially all microorganisms, which would include fungi, and once a mushroom starts decomposing, worms would develop an appetite for it as well.

There is no cause for concern with your worms eating mushrooms.