I'm in Hamtramck, MI. With help from the archives of this forum, I started my first worm bin in a plastic tub last fall. I believe I read that the lower temperature limit is 38-40 degrees.

Do you have a basement? I kept mine in the basement for the better part of the winter. The worms were fine, but they weren't eating very much and weren't reproducing as fast as I wanted. (I should have ordered more.) I brought them upstairs last month; the population exploded, and all the seeds sprouted.

I'm allergic to mold, and having the bin in our bathroom hasn't bothered me. My husband has a very sensitive nose and says it smells "earthy". I intend to put the bin back in the basement when it's a bit warmer, and I'll probably leave it there next winter.

Is a compost heap out of the question? I think they are easier to maintain and have fewer problems related to Michigan weather, though I could be wrong about that. I don't have the space for one.

I husband is not comfortable with them in the basement. I don't know why. He thinks i'm nuts. I am also doing a compost bin outside, for the stuff i can't put in the box. I live in Clinton Twp. I have 3 boys that love to see that the stuff we put in disappears. I have fuzzy white mold on some bread crumbs that are too close to the top. Is it the bread or moisture? I've only been doing this 2 weeks i don't know when to harvest or what castings or eggs look like. I believe i will learn as i go. Great to see you out there. We like to come to Hamtramck for food and festivals. Thanks for responding

Your basement must be nicer than mine :) Maybe he thinks they will escape? Some of the friends who gave me the strangest looks 6 months ago are now thinking about worms of their own.

Glad to hear you visit Hamtramck. Feel free to send me an e-mail some time when you're planning to be in the area and we'll have a drink or pierogi or something!

NO PROCESSED CARBOHYDRATES IN COMPOST!!!!!!!!