Red compost worms feed in the top inch of the worm box so you should use the square foot measurement for determining the number of worms. I have read that as low as 1/4 lbs per square foot is good. Start with the pound of worms . They tend to multiply based on their environment. That includes the amount of food you give them. I started with a pound in a Worm Wig Wam which is a larger system and in 4-6 months the worm population had grown enough to handle the food scraps from three families.

ralphdean - Wow! 4-6 months...how many people total in these 3 families? I ask because I have a large family and we produce LOTS of waste. I hate throwing food scraps away so I want to have lots of worms by fall. During the winter my compost is frozen solid so kitchen additions just pile up. The compost runs out of room before December.

I want enough worms to digest all winter scraps but I've only got about 200. The bin is just new so maybe I'll add more food to the side I've already fed them on and leave the other side empty of food so they can go there if it's too much food.

Wow! Three families...there is hope for us!

jasdip - That sounds like a nice size bin, do you have pictures? I'd love to see it.

For me, I'd like to build a worm bin into a bench. But I'm guessing it would get to much use as a bench and be too loud/too much vibrations for the worms to thrive.

Anita

1-2 lbs of worms per square foot is not unusual and can thrive quite nicely. Remember, if they breed TOO MUCH (ha!) you can always start another bin.

Remember--until you have at least half as many worms by weight as you do scraps (I like 1:1), go slow on feeding. More than they can eat will just rot, smell, and draw flies. You can always freeze or compost the excess for now.

Hi Anita,
I bought a large Rubbermaid storage bin for $20 a few weeks ago, specifically for a larger worm bin. I'm not going to drill holes in it at all, just use the holes already in the handle recesses for ventilation.

fixedincome: I already have a rubbermaid tote now with 1 lb of worms, but I've got lots of food for more than just a pound. I've got frozen food in ice cream tubs in my freezer and a neighbours!

I figure I can "hopefully" sell some worms for a fair price as well. I'm not sure how the market is around here for worms Southwestern Ont., but I'm going to try.

Sherry

Sherry