Parts 2 and 3 determined whether the cats would adapt to their "special" litter pans. The cats quickly proclaimed that they would use the new bins. They seemed to know the worms were there and dug them out rapidly. Barriers of plastic covers with appropriately placed holes, plastic sheeting, and wire mesh barriers were attempted. A thick layer of ryegrass on top as a barrier to protect the worms, was initially the most successful barrier. With time, however, the cats became proficient in uprooting the ryegrass and engaging in search-and-destroy worm missions. The ryegrass was a protective barrier for the worms when the cats had the box for only 10 minutes. The box was presented multiple times during the day, under close observation. The cats looked forward to the arrival of the bin and were quite curious each time it arrived. They enjoyed getting their paws into the moist and cool peat moss.

Part 4 tested the effects of commonly used feline medications on the vermicomposting system. This part necessitated a "control cat." Mom said no more cats. So Freddie, a young neutered male, was borrowed. He did not socialize with the other cats, and he enjoyed his three visits per day to his vermicomposting pan. I choose the most popular and widely available cat products for testing. After all, the vermicomposting pan has to be practical. I exposed vermicomposting bins to treated cats for about two months (56 days, or eight weeks). Most drug metabolites are eliminated in stools over roughly 30 days. The next month no drug was applied, allowing the worm population to recover and the cats to be totally free of the drug. Then the next medication was applied and tested.

Selamectin (Revolution) is a broad-spectrum antiparasite that kills mites, heartworms, roundworms, fleas, and ticks. Selamectin also kills Eisenia fetadia worms. All indicators of vermicomposting system health were affected by Selamectin. Worm counts dropped dramatically; E. coli counts rose; and bin weights were less than the control bin. (See Chart 2: Selamectin (Revolution) Average Weekly Worm Counts and Chart 3: Selamectin (Revolution) Average E. coli Colony Counts)

Leuferon (Program) is an oral suspension that is given to cats for the control of fleas; it is an insect-development inhibitor and doesn't directly kill fleas. Leuferon was much kinder to the worm population. Worm counts were adversely affected, but to a mild degree. The worm counts also were able to recover starting at the fourth week. The worms were able to compost the ADP as indicated by measurements of worm count, soil testing, pH, bin weight, and reduction in E. coli. The control bin still outperformed all 28 Leuferon bins.