I could add 2 cents ( comments ) Vegan,

When I have in the past placed worms near to viberating machines ( ie a laundry room, with washer, dryer, furnace ) I had worms ( not all but some ) crawl out. It may have been they felt the vibrations even though the bin was not touching the machines, or, it could have been the noise that made them get antzy, or it could be the temperature fluctuations there.

When you say you read to add top soil, do you mean from a bag or from the garden. It sounded from your description of fertilizer / additives in the topsoil you are talking about bagged topsoil. I think the suggestion is to add topsoil from the yard / garden. This adds both grit to help the worms ( digest)complete their digestion process and to add starter microbial life from the soil. That is the way I understood it. Many others here know more then me so perhaps someone else can confirm whether this is correct or not.

Good Luck.

btw I have my bin in a dark, quiet closet now and have zero worms trying to escape.

Veganworms,

I wouldn't add an potting soil. A good bedding mix is corrugated cardboard 50%, shredded newspaper, and some crumbled dead leaves if you have them. You read here and there that a handful of soil helps with grit (or something like that) but I don't think it is necessary.

Marshall

The reason for the handfull of soil is to provide the micro organisms and bacteria to start the compost process quickly and grit for the worms. I reckon a handfull of compost is even better for this. Its bit neccessary, but it does help..

Potting mix really isnt what you are after. Go down to the park and grab a hanfull of nice soil from under a pile of leaves.

I agree the laundry might not be so good in an apartment, but your options are limited. Do you have a downstairs garage or lock up?

Add the bedding as Marshall described, then add your worms and the food on top. They will go for it when they are ready.

Good luck
Raphael in Australia