Randy, I would bring them in the house if you can. 30 is below their lowest temperature they'll live at. They really prefer 65 to 75. They'll be stressed enough with the travel to your house--so don't add any more stress. It's also best to not feed them for a week (except what you have already mixed with their bedding). It's best to put them in their bin during daylight hours so that they dive down into the bedding. If they come later in the day, leave the top off the bin and put a light over the bin so that they stay in their bedding. The electric blanket could work--but I'd put a thermometer in the bedding to see if it's at least in the 50's. With the temps in the 20's and 30's, bringing them inside is your best bet.

Thanks for the quick response. I figured inside the house was my best option to get me through the next few weeks of cold. Ideally, I would like to figure something out long term for next winter since I would prefer the bin in the garage. I've seen the fish tank heater setups, not sure how effective those are. I've also seen the light setup. Again, not sure how well that works.

For tomorrow, I will probably take the advice and keep them in the house. I guess as long as I keep them in a lit room, they won't feel the desire to go roaming around at night. My wife will probably not like the idea but she thinks I'm already crazy because I am excited about the worms getting dropped off tomorrow!

Thanks again for the help!

Randy

I kept the light on over my bin for only 1 night. They found out that they were happy in there and have stayed put. My husband thought (maybe still thinks) I was crazy, too. One day I covered the surface of the bin with a mixture of bedding and food that I had mixed up every day for a week. The next day I opened the bin and there were worms all over the surface. Wow! Was I excited. By the time my husband got up there (they're in our heated upstairs guest bedroom) they had all dived down into the bedding. He thought I was nuts. Maybe he still does. I just can't understand why he doesn't think that the fact that a worm has 5 hearts is interesting!!! Good luck with your bin and have fun with them.

Well, they survived the first night. I do have a few questions I am going to have to find answers to.

I originally purchased a worm factory 360 and 4-5 lbs. of worms. I got a shipment notification that the worms shipped but hadn't heard anything about the worm factory. I watched a bunch of youtube videos on DIY worm bins. I ended up making one in case the worm factory did not arrive before the worms. Ironically, I finished the DIY bin and an hour later, UPS dropped off the worm factory.

So, I have both available to me. I decided to try the worm factory since I paid good money for it. Last night, I left the lid off with a light hanging over the top tray. That seemed to keep the worms from hanging out on the surface. This morning, all seemed well since I didn't see much activity on the surface.

I lifted up the tray and there were about 500 (or more) worms underneath the tray, in the drain area where a little water had collected. I knew the light would make them dig down but I didn't want them that far! I scooped them all out and placed them back on top of the tray. I then put the lid on but left the light hanging overhead. I'm hoping that if they decide to climb up and towards the "free world," they will get hit with the light and turn around. I have this fear of my wife going in to our guest room and there being 5,000 worms crawling around our carpeted floor!

There is also a slight musty smell coming from the bin. Obviously I am new to this but my guess is the bin is a little too wet. I was thinking about adding some dry shredded newspaper/cardboard to the top of the tray.

I appreciate the responses Susan--thanks!

Randy

Hi Randy

Starting a worm factory with five pounds of worms is too many in my opinion. I have raised worms in the worm factory, the can of worms and home made bins but there are more qualified people to help you with that aspect.

I want to talk temps with you. Right now I have over 50 pounds of worms in my garage and several hundred in outdoor bins and the night time temps here are getting in the teens. Outdoor temps mean nothing. What matters is how low the temp getting in you garage? If it is staying above 35 your worms will be fine. I have an outdoor test bin and the top couple of inches of that bin are frozen right now but the worms are doing fine below that frozen layer. Cold is not a bad thing just don't freeze the worms themselves.

Hope this helps
Darren

Hi, Randy! Hope your worms have settled in and adding the cardboard helped. Worms like it pretty moist but adding some cardboard and/or egg cartons will help if it is too moist. They may also just be a little stressed from their travels and need to settle in. I used a light over mine for one night but I've read that some people keep theirs on for a week or until the worms settle in. I notice that when I start a new bin there is a slight musty smell, which goes away when the worms start munching.

I am in southern washington.I have had success with the red wigglers in 30 degree temperatures, meaning, they survived it. If my housemates allowed me to compost next to the fireplace I believe I would!
I wrapped my bin in blankets and added extra insulation with cardboard and brown paper shreds. Honestly, I was surprised they made it, and were fatter than when i first received them...it is warming up and I am considering moving the operation to an outdoor location when it's consistently warm in an old footed bathtub... any suggestions?

Shelter from mega rainstorms. Regular rain should be fine.