Peggy,

There will always be a few explorers. It is when you get a massive migration that you need to look at conditions in the bin. It takes a while for a new bin to mature, then even the explorers will want to stay home.

Marshall

Hi Peggy,

I recently bought a can o worms bin. I was under the impression that the bedding had to be very wet. The bin began to have a sewage smell and most of the worms died. Since I have learned that you need only be able to get a couple of drops of water from bedding when squeezed. Also, the thing that helped my worms "stay at home", was obtaining a flourescent light mounted above the bin.
Good luck with your worms!
Debbie

If your worms don't crawl all over the sides of the bin, and the top, there is something wrong with the setup. Worm squirm is absolutely normal. They should crawl (a few), but if they're in evacuation mode, you will know it because ALL of them, seems like, will be leaving....and the lid won't stop them.

chuckiebtoo

Thanks for the encouragement! It was great to see that this forum is looked at pretty regularly and I can get such quick responses!
The moisture thing has been the biggest hang up for me...wanting to make sure that I have the right environment.

kmrlermom...I have many Can O'Worms and other plastic worm bins. The only time I dampen bedding is when I first set it up. After that intial set-up when I add bedding, it is dry shredded paper. I close the lid and come back the next day. If that paper is the least bit damp, I figure it is good. In those plastic bins drying out is not a big issue. The big issue is too wet. If you keep adding wet paper, add that to the water, being released by the decomposing food, evaporating and condensing on the lid, raining back down on your bedding, you will end up with a very wet system.

sqh1 doesn't need confirmation to validate her statements, but sometimes strength in numbers is more persuasive. As always, she's totally correct.

I never moisten bedding after the initial setup in plastic bins. Dry newpaper only. Any additional water other than that in the foodstuff is unnecessary almost always.

Lots you read about moisture has changed dramatically in the last couple of years, and keep in mind that plastic is the main reason.

chuckiebtoo

I have read many places that a wet bin is more of a problem with a plastic bin. I do not think that I will have that problem however. When we drilled the holes, we made them 1" on the top. I was very concerned about making sure that it was an aerobic system.
The past couple days that I have checked on the worms, there have been no more runners to the top of the bin. Everyone is where the food is and fat and happy so far! :)