It might be better to start off your bins with new bedding. It is probably a good idea too to start with just one bin and add another bin on top of the first one when the first one is finished. That could take a few months. Another good idea is to just feed the worms as much as they can eat in a few days, then give them some more when the first lot is almost gone. The bin doesn't end up putrid that way.

Marshall

Well, I tried.

I added 6ozs of worms yesterday afternoon to the middle bin (moist and mildly anaerobic) on some newspaper bedding. This morning they've all died.

Am considering giving up.

Paul - what ever happened with your worms? I've just started and I'm loving it. I've not been quite as ambitious as you. I'm doing it inside with an 15 gallon tub and it seems to be working just fine.

I hope that things are working out for you.

to Jen : welcome to the world of Wormers ! Once you see your plants on Vermicompost you probably wont go back !

Paul : I had a similar problem ( actually several ) of the ones you seem to be describing. I will try and add my 2 cents.

First. It takes a while for worms to get used to a new enviroment. So you have to start slow. ie 1 bin and only bedding for a week or more. ( kind of like cycling a fish tank in a way I guess )

Second. always check the last place you added food before you add more. If it isnt almost all eaten up then you can wait a few days before adding more.

3 rd. Try to maintain a damp ( not wet ) condition. if you can grab a handful ( wear garden gloves :-) of the bedding and get drips when you squeez it, it is a bit too wet and may start getting putrid.

4 th. Try and add bedding ( brownish type material like corregated carbboard, leaves, Coir etc .. ) while you are getting the worms started along with food scraps when you feed - dont just give em greens - fruit + veggie scraps etc..

5 th 6 oz. of worms is not really enough to start with. Most recommend 1 # ( 18 oz ) otherwise you have to feed very small amounts until the populations builds up more. I believe an ideal worm bin doubles population every 3 months. So if you start with only 6 oz. you would probably not have 16 oz for 4 months ( July if you started in March ) or later.

And lastley. I had a big problem trying to keep my worms in the garage then move them outside in spring then back in for fall, and try to find a spot in the house on the days the garage temps went below 5 C ( 40 ish F ) Now I have them underneath the basement stairs ( made a closet for them behind off - season sports gear ) and it is 20 - 25 C 68 - 77 ish, year round. They love the constant temps and I dont have to worry about moving them.

hth

sorry this was so long. I know others are very experienced also so maybe they can add to what I have said. Hope you are still trying Paul.

Paul Im sorry.

SOunds like the material in the bins was too hot.

You really need to add the worms to a fresh bin full of paper or peat bedding, not rotting food. You slowly intoroduce the food, checking for trouble.

So sorry. I hope you give it another go, cause your home made bin sounds awesome.

Raphael.