White worms (maggots) in worm bin

by Ricki
(Plano, TX USA)

I was adding scraps to my bin this evening and noticed it was infested with fat white worms that looked like maggots. How can I get rid of them? I am assuming they should not be there!

Thanks

Answer from BigTex Worms
Sounds like black soldier fly larvae. If you have not checked out my video on a healthy worm bin, then do so now. Here it is: bugs in the bin (click on the link to go there)
Bugs are a normal part of the ecosystem and I do not fret over them at all. If I get an over abundance which happens in my bins from time to time, I hand pick the black soldier flies out and feed them to my chickens.
If they bother you you can use a piece of cantelope or watermelon to concentrate them in one spot and scoop them out. But eventually they will hatch into flies and go away on their own. Also with cooler temps, BSFL will die off until next summer.
If you want to reduce the likelihood of them returning, then simply put a peice of cotton fabric over your bin and they cannot get in. It works to reduce fruit flies as well.
Hope this helps,
Liz
Big Tex Worms