What is a worm blanket? What is it used for?

What is a worm blanket? What is it used for?

Worm blankets are made of a water-absorbing, air-permeable and light blocking fabric.  

They are placed on top of the worm bedding and have multiple functions:  
  1. (1) they minimize the light reaching the worms, allowing them to feed right up to the top of the compost day and night.  
  2. (2) By keeping the blanket moist, this keeps the upper layer from drying out which can attract ants into the system 
  3. (3)  Moist blankets help maintain the proper moisture levels for the worms.   Compost worms thrive when moisture levels are 60 - 80%.  
  4. (4) Worm blankets maintain warmth within the Subpod during winter months.