Starting over, plus bin redesign

21 years ago

Well, I decided to start over (my bin was the one "looted" last weekend). I have a pound of worms on order through the same seller bought from before, and they were healthy and active until I let them all get killed. ;-(

Anyway, since being looted I had taken to keeping the rubbermaid bin lid on and locked. Then I was having a problem with too much moisture / not enough air. So I decided to do a redesign before the new worms get here.

Here is what I came up with: I drilled a row of holes around the top and bottom edge, a few on the sides, a few on the top and six on the bottom.

I made a "pillowcase" of old screening and filled it with the peanuts, so I don't have to pick them out again when I change the castings (the little buggers ate what I put over the peanuts it before!) and sewed it up with fishing line. 30 minutes tops.

In addition, I was in the home improvement store looking for peat or coir and I wandered over to the plumbing department thinking idly I might find something to help aerate. I came across some 18" tall sprinker risers. I bought two of them and drilled holes all over, which took about ten minutes, drilled two 3/4" holes on each side of the bin, stuck the risers in there, screwed them in with their threads (they were about 1/4" short but the plastic bent in easily enough) and epoxyed the outside edges to keep it from loosening. Instant airflow though the bin! I hope it helps.

I added new bedding on top of the peanut pillow, and then added the current bedding / survivors on top of that. I added a feeding tonight as well, so that when they get here on Thursday there is something for them to eat. There wasn't any food in the bin, so the worms still there are eating.

I'll post a follow up in a couple of weeks to let you know if it is helping or not. It was an easy upgrade.

--Lisa

Fort Lauderdale

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

billr12
21 years ago
Did you find out what robbed you?
boreal_wormer
21 years ago
"I bought two of them and drilled holes all over, which took about ten minutes, drilled two 3/4" holes on each side of the bin, stuck the risers in there, screwed them in with their threads (they were about 1/4" short but the plastic bent in easily enough) and epoxyed the outside edges to keep it from loosening. Instant airflow though the bin! I hope it helps."

I used 1 1/4 pipe with 3/32 holes drilled in them and found that the castings were squeezing through the holes and blocking off the pipes. Some worms were in the pipes too but I never saw any crawling out the ends. I think they were happy to stay in the castings.

I've covered the pipes with a wrap of landscape fabric in hopes that that will keep the castings out and the pipes open.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Bin
Related Professionals
Cape Coral Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Brunswick Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Davenport Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Glenwood Springs Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Richmond Landscape Contractors · Saint Joseph Landscape Contractors · Auburn Landscape Contractors · New Haven Landscape Contractors · San Diego Landscape Contractors · Fayetteville Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Lufkin Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Tyler Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Charlottesville Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Richmond Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Bend Stone, Pavers & Concrete
lisak
Original Author
21 years ago
Hi everyone. My best guess on what robbed me is either a river rat (I live on a canal) or a raccoon. I never saw evidence of either, and no evidence of whatever it was sticking around once I started locking the bin to remove the food source.

Regarding the pipes, I used much smaller pipes, about an inch in diameter and used very small holes. I imagine that they will still become blocked and I may have to clean it out like you did. I don't want to distrub whoever is left again at this point, but if I ever get to harvest, I'll to that as well. Thanks for the idea.

--Lisa
subywu
21 years ago
Is there anything to prevent the worms from escaping through the aeration pipe holes?
MKitten
21 years ago
If the worms wanted to escape, they can escape through anything. I've seen them go through screen and I've heard about them going through panty hose. Don't worry about them escaping, just make their environment to their liking and they'll stick around.
lisak
Original Author
21 years ago
Mkitten,

That was my thought as well. I drilled the ventilation holes above and below (at the level of the peanut pillow) the bedding but none right in the center. However, if they want out, they can get out through the bottom drainage holes or the ventalation holes as easily as through the pipes.

When my new bunch arrives this week, I'll report back on escapees. Is there a technical name for a bunch of worms? :-)

--Lisa
ShenValleyJoe
21 years ago
Is there a technical name for a bunch of worms? :-)
Ooooh... Good question, Lisa

I hope you don't mind. This deserves a new thread!
lisak
Original Author
21 years ago
I saw that, and I thought the answer was pretty good!

--Lisa