One pound of worms can process about three and a half pounds of food scraps a week. We recommend most households start by purchasing one pound of worms. You can purchase red wigglers from a local retailer or order them online and have them shipped to you. To find out where to buy worms, visit nyc.gov/compostproject. Which are usually brown or gray in color, will not survive in a worm bin. Night crawlers and other common garden worms, You will need a specific worm species called “red wiggler” or Eisenia fetida. Most indoor locations will meet these temperature needs. Worms can tolerate temperatures a bit beyond this range, but they will be less active. Worms prefer temperatures between 55☏ and 80☏ (13☌ and 27☌). If you drilled holes in the bottom on the bin, place a tray under the bin to catch any “leachate”-this is a waste product of the composting process made of excess moisture.Īfter you make or buy a bin, store it in a good location for both you and the worms.

Use non-toxic glue to attach fine screen over holes (optional). This will help prevent pests like fruit flies from entering your bin.Drill at least 10 quarter-inch holes in the bottom of the bin.These holes will also provide oxygen in your bin. Drill at least 10 quarter-inch holes in the sides of the bin.These holes will provide oxygen to the worms and other decomposer organisms in the bin. Drill at least 10 quarter-inch holes in the lid.Fine screen to keep out pests (optional),.A standard plastic storage tub from a household goods store is a great option. You can buy a ready-made worm bin (visit nyc.gov/compostproject options) or you can make your own by following these instructions.ĭimensions should be approximately 12 x 12 x 12 inches (one cubic foot) but do not have to be precise.

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