Building a Worm Bin

Vermicomposting

Providing Ventilation

You will need to

drill holes around

the top of your

worm bin to

provide air flow

for your worms.

Providing Ventilation

You can use any

size drill bit from

1/8 inch to ½

inch. You can

drill fewer holes

if you use a large

diameter drill.

(The worms do

not typically try

to escape from

the container if

they are happy.)

Providing Ventilation

Some people will

drill one or two

small holes at the

bottom of bin for

drainage in case

the bin gets too

wet. If you do

drill drainage

holes, you will

need to have

your bin sitting

on a tray or put

plastic under it to

protect the

surface on which

it rests.

Preparing Bedding

Various materials

can be used as

bedding in your

worm bin.

Shredded paper

is one of the

easiest to use.

Preparing Bedding

You will notice

when you shred

your paper that it

will tear more

evenly up and

down that it will

across the page.

When a section is

folded in half, you

can start at the

fold and tear off

½ inch to one

inch strips.

Preparing Bedding

Fluff the paper to

separate the

strips from one

another. Fill the

container

because the

bedding will

compact.

Preparing Bedding

Once you have

shredded the

bedding, you will

need to moisten

the paper.

Preparing Bedding

Bedding should

be moistened like

a wet sponge so

that you can

squeeze a few

drops of water

from it. You do

not want water

standing in the

bottom of the bin.

Adding Some Grit

After you have

moistened the

paper, add up to a

cup of dirt.

Adding Some Grit

Worms don’t have

teeth. They do

have a crop that

helps to

mechanically

breakdown their

food. The grit

aids this process

just as providing

grit for a bird.

You may also

want to add some

crushed egg

shells for a

calcium source.

Adding the Worms

Once your bin is

ready, it is time to

add some worms.

The worms used are

not nightcrawlers.

They are

composting worms

commonly called

red wigglers,

brown-nosed

worms, tiger

worms, or manure

worms in the

continental US.

The scientific name

is Eisenia fetida.

Adding the Worms

A bin this size can

easily support 1

to 2 pounds of

worms, but you

can start a bin

with just a hand

full. This bin was

started with two

quarter pound

bags of worms or

about 500 worms

total.

Adding the Worms

These worms are

mostly mature

worms. Some

dealers sell

worms that

include cocoons,

immature worms,

and adults. With

proper care, your

worms should

double their

population each

month.

Moisture Protection

While not

necessary, putting

wet cardboard,

brown paper, or

burlap on top of

the bedding will

help maintain

moisture in the

pile. It also

serves as a light

barrier and the

worms will

congregate

beneath it.

This presentation was prepared by Bonnie Rinard. Photography is by Tom Rinard.