Instructions for setting up a basic Rubbermaid worm bin
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25 Responses to Setting Up a Basic Worm Bin
Do I understand you to say that I should not add worms until the bin sits for 2 weeks?
@gershom44 – the lid that comes with these sorts of tubs should work ok as long as you make sure to put lots of air holes in it. You may also opt to keep the system lidless (great for air flow) – just make sure to always keep a really thick layer of bedding materials (shredded cardboard etc) up top at all times (not a bad idea in general for that matter).
@TahshaTPitsMe – Maggots come into the system from flies laying eggs in the compost one of the things you can try is putting a piece of small mesh shade cloth over the top of the compost to stop so many flies getting in and laying their eggs. This may help. I agree with the compost guy you certainly don’t need to start again.
Hi, I started my compost based on this video, Thank You 😀 . But I have some doubts: How often do I have to mix the compost? and How often do I have to dampen?
@TahshaTPitsMe – There aren’t too many bugs I would consider “harmful”. Often when you see an explosion of a certain type of critter it means you are feeding too much. If your “maggots” are large they are very likely black soldier fly larvae. They are not directly harmful to worms, but over time they may reduce the habitat quality. Try feeding only shredded cardboard for awhile. You definitely don’t need to start over entirely.
I recently started my own compost, but What are the friendly bugs we are looking for? Not maggots right??? That’s what I’ve got in mine, Do I have to start all over??? Please help
@ChogNompa – you can do that, but what tends to happen with these is that the weight from the upper bins ends up pressing down and reducing oxygen in the lower bins (not helped by the fact that they are generally filled with lots of wet material).
@montyloree – it depends on the size of the system and the approach you want to take. I often like to start systems to a fairly small quantity of worms (simply transferred over from another system with some of their habitat) and then allow them to grow into the new bin/bed. Others like adding as many worms as they can get away with so as to start with fast processing speeds.
can I make one by stacking 4 bins cut through the lids. Then put holes in them for the worms to pass. Will there be enough 02 for the aerobic bacteria to survive in every bin?
@triplej2002 – If you have LOADS of worms and they are small and reddish in color you may be in luck since they are likely some type of composting species. If they are simply a bunch of soil worms that have come up from the ground, they won’t likely do all that well in an enclosed bin.
@trigerboyy – what’s interesting is that when you add composting worms they can get rid of foul odors quite quickly. I remember one time I set up a “normal” backyard composter with LOTS of food waste. It ended up stinking to high heaven. I decided to add a bunch of composting worms from another system and within a few days the horrible smell had vanished!
Thanks for the video… we have a few plastic bags that are filled with what WAS leaves… the bags were outside for a while and the leaves finally composted. There are TONS of worms in the bags, so could I add those worms to a composting bin like this? I saw you said below that you needed a certain type of worm and that they wouldn’t reproduce in a bin. I would hate to buy worms if I can just use the ones that are already out back. Thanks for your help!
i remember we have a neighbor who does composting and it stinks all over the place, neghborhood were complaining, how can the foul smell be prevented? i want to start my own composting but don’t wan’t to be sued by neighbor
There are a number of different ways to do this, but generally it will involve some sort of dump and sort approach. Feel free to send me a msg if you would like me to point you in the direction of some info about this.
Dumping on a tarp is not required, just remove the lid and let light shine on the pile for a few minutes – the worms will automatically start digging towards the bottom of the bin.
Then, just scrape off the layers of worm castings until you start seeing worms.
Do I understand you to say that I should not add worms until the bin sits for 2 weeks?
amommamust
December 15, 2011 at 3:56 am
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KateTiclb
December 15, 2011 at 4:07 am
@gershom44 – the lid that comes with these sorts of tubs should work ok as long as you make sure to put lots of air holes in it. You may also opt to keep the system lidless (great for air flow) – just make sure to always keep a really thick layer of bedding materials (shredded cardboard etc) up top at all times (not a bad idea in general for that matter).
TheCompostGuy
December 15, 2011 at 4:51 am
@TheCompostGuy as far as the top of the container? will a basic cover do
gershom44
December 15, 2011 at 5:00 am
@gershom44 – what do you mean by “covering”?
TheCompostGuy
December 15, 2011 at 5:52 am
hey man what do you use for covering?
gershom44
December 15, 2011 at 6:13 am
@TahshaTPitsMe – Maggots come into the system from flies laying eggs in the compost one of the things you can try is putting a piece of small mesh shade cloth over the top of the compost to stop so many flies getting in and laying their eggs. This may help. I agree with the compost guy you certainly don’t need to start again.
mjkc02
December 15, 2011 at 6:16 am
Such a simple video to follow, thanks Bentley!
I found that exact container model in my basement earlier, time for the worms! So stoked.
crazyaboutcompost
December 15, 2011 at 6:42 am
wont it fill up with water(worm tea) as there are no drainage holes. unless if i missed soething
mafosta1
December 15, 2011 at 7:03 am
Hi, I started my compost based on this video, Thank You 😀 . But I have some doubts: How often do I have to mix the compost? and How often do I have to dampen?
katonet
December 15, 2011 at 7:06 am
@TahshaTPitsMe – There aren’t too many bugs I would consider “harmful”. Often when you see an explosion of a certain type of critter it means you are feeding too much. If your “maggots” are large they are very likely black soldier fly larvae. They are not directly harmful to worms, but over time they may reduce the habitat quality. Try feeding only shredded cardboard for awhile. You definitely don’t need to start over entirely.
TheCompostGuy
December 15, 2011 at 7:29 am
I recently started my own compost, but What are the friendly bugs we are looking for? Not maggots right??? That’s what I’ve got in mine, Do I have to start all over??? Please help
TahshaTPitsMe
December 15, 2011 at 7:39 am
@ChogNompa – you can do that, but what tends to happen with these is that the weight from the upper bins ends up pressing down and reducing oxygen in the lower bins (not helped by the fact that they are generally filled with lots of wet material).
TheCompostGuy
December 15, 2011 at 8:06 am
@montyloree – it depends on the size of the system and the approach you want to take. I often like to start systems to a fairly small quantity of worms (simply transferred over from another system with some of their habitat) and then allow them to grow into the new bin/bed. Others like adding as many worms as they can get away with so as to start with fast processing speeds.
TheCompostGuy
December 15, 2011 at 8:44 am
can I make one by stacking 4 bins cut through the lids. Then put holes in them for the worms to pass. Will there be enough 02 for the aerobic bacteria to survive in every bin?
ChogNompa
December 15, 2011 at 9:32 am
good powerpoint!
Theleoncio516
December 15, 2011 at 10:21 am
how many worms do you put in at the start of the process?
montyloree
December 15, 2011 at 10:59 am
@triplej2002 – If you have LOADS of worms and they are small and reddish in color you may be in luck since they are likely some type of composting species. If they are simply a bunch of soil worms that have come up from the ground, they won’t likely do all that well in an enclosed bin.
TheCompostGuy
December 15, 2011 at 11:29 am
@trigerboyy – what’s interesting is that when you add composting worms they can get rid of foul odors quite quickly. I remember one time I set up a “normal” backyard composter with LOTS of food waste. It ended up stinking to high heaven. I decided to add a bunch of composting worms from another system and within a few days the horrible smell had vanished!
TheCompostGuy
December 15, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Thanks for the video… we have a few plastic bags that are filled with what WAS leaves… the bags were outside for a while and the leaves finally composted. There are TONS of worms in the bags, so could I add those worms to a composting bin like this? I saw you said below that you needed a certain type of worm and that they wouldn’t reproduce in a bin. I would hate to buy worms if I can just use the ones that are already out back. Thanks for your help!
triplej2002
December 15, 2011 at 1:06 pm
i remember we have a neighbor who does composting and it stinks all over the place, neghborhood were complaining, how can the foul smell be prevented? i want to start my own composting but don’t wan’t to be sued by neighbor
trigerboyy
December 15, 2011 at 1:26 pm
There are a number of different ways to do this, but generally it will involve some sort of dump and sort approach. Feel free to send me a msg if you would like me to point you in the direction of some info about this.
TheCompostGuy
December 15, 2011 at 2:13 pm
How do I take the good compost out??????
JipseyGod
December 15, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Dumping on a tarp is not required, just remove the lid and let light shine on the pile for a few minutes – the worms will automatically start digging towards the bottom of the bin.
Then, just scrape off the layers of worm castings until you start seeing worms.
It’s that simple, and simple is always better. 🙂
theroilsoil
December 15, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Pretty great tutorial =)……probably gonna try this soon is you let it sit for two weeks before adding the worms.
jihadacadien
December 15, 2011 at 4:37 pm