Since this forum doesn't have a FAQ section, you might want to use the "search" box. Any questions you have, type in the term and it should pull up any available info. Example: Can I use coffee grounds in my bin? Type "coffee grounds" and you will get LOTS of hits. Also, there is info on bin designs, bedding mixtures, feeding, etc. After you have perused the forum, any specific questions you have can be asked and will be answered as they come up. But there is LOTS of info here. To much to put into one reply.
As for the roaches, it would depend on where you live. Also on how well you manage your bins, and how you construct it.

A lot would depend on what you are composting and how much of it you intend to compost. Since this will be on an apartment patio, is it safe to assume you are not composting a large volume of yard trimmings?

Worm composting systems tend to be smaller systems that focus on composting kitchen scraps.

To address your questions:

As for layering, this is done to mix high-carbon and high-nitrogen materials to speed up the composting process. Layering is not done in worm composting systems because layering encourages the build up of heat in the pile, which will kill the worms. The method used with worms is to create a bin with high-carbon materials, then add high-nitrogen materials (usually kitchen scraps) over time.

Ratios for worm composting are less important than for hot composting, since one does not want to start out with an optimum C:N ratio with worm composting, since an optimum C:N ratio will generate heat. High-nitrogen materials are added over time, and the process is observed to determine when and how much the bin must be "fed."

A properly built and maintained compost pile should not smell. The same is true for a worm bin. Problems with smells are less of an issue with a worm bin, in part because worm bins tend to be smaller, and in part because the worms tend to ingest decomposing material that would otherwise smell bad. If you are composting a large volume of kitchen scraps, keeping the smell down in a hot compost pile can be difficult, since kitchen scraps tend to go anaerobic in a hot pile.

Worm composting will produce a smaller amount of higher quality compost. (Though larger volumes are possible, they are not likely in a home composting system.)

Either method of composting will attract bugs. I have never heard of roaches moving into a compost pile. I have, however, had rats in my hot compost piles.

I don't know what area you live in, but worms don't over-winter well and they also don't like extreme heat. Unless you have moderate winters and summers, the worms may not like being outside.

leearnold, thanks for the search tip. That will save me posting my every little question to the boards! (why didn't I think of that?)

sbryce, thanks for the information!I live in Texas, where we do have extreme heat and even a few freezes in the winter, so worms may not be the best option for me. I don't really mind bugs that much, just as long as they don't 1) become large enough in numbers make my patio an unpleasant place to be, or 2) make their way into my apartment.

I wish that I could use worms, though. I don't need a large quantity of compost for my small garden and I like the no-layering part of it. Too bad I'm not back in my hometown in California! That weather would be perfect for worms!

Thanks to both of you for your replies :) I'll do some more looking around this site and see what I find. Have a great weekend!

Whatever bugs visit your compost will tend to stay in the compost. The exceptions would be fruit flies, which tend to fly around everywhere, and woodlice, which, for some reason, like to explore.

Some of us keep worm bins inside our apartments. Usually this works out OK, unless we get a fruit fly invasion, try to compost too many onion peels all at once, or the worms decide to escape. But even those problems work themselves out in time.

Everybody has their own ideas about the best way to set up a bin. (Which proves that there is not one right way.) Even though I disagree slightly with some of the info, here are a couple of links to check out.

http://www.digitalseed.com/composter/vermicomposting.html
http://www.mastercomposter.com/worm/worm

Thanks for the links! I thought about keeping worms inside, however trying to convince my husband that this is a good idea will be interesting. I think I'll try the heat compost method for now, and I'll switch to worms, (kept inside), if I can get away with it ;)

When you use your finished compost, is there a certain amount that you add to your soil? I garden in containers due to limited space. Should I still use potting soil with compost added, or should I go for regular soil?

You've been so helpful! Thanks :)

I looked it up on the Master Composter site. They say no more than 1/5 of your potting mix should be vermicompost. I would mix potting soil 4:1 with vermicompost.

http://www.mastercomposter.com/pile/useapply.html#WORM

Mac, go to the "container gardening" forum here and do a search for any posts by Al Tapla. He has EXCELLENT advice on container soils and fertilizing.

Thanks! If I decided to use worms and keep them inside, is there a limit to how small of a container I could use for them? I'm trying to figure out if I'd even have a place to put them indoors. I've heard of people keeping their worms under their kitchen sink. It seems like the bin must be pretty small in order to do that. I'm in Texas where the Summer gets really hot. I was thinking of maybe keeping the worms in the garage, but even that may be too warm for them. Hmm...I'll look around a little more on the composting site that you linked :)

While I dont know how big your patio is, it might be tricky to get a pile big enough there to heat up. You will need drainage too.

I think vermicomposting indoors might be easier to manage. Can you fit a 10 to 15'ish gal tub under your sink?

Hi - keeping the worms in your garage shouldn't be a major problem - even in Texas, depending on the type of worms you use. Eisenia fetida seems to do fine in Africa in garages, where I guess it gets as hot as Texas. If you are really worried you could choose a tropical species such African Nightcrawlers - Latin name: Eudrilus eugeniae or Perionyx excavatus - (Indian Blue) which is also a tropical worm.

Here is a link that might be useful: Worm Dictionary

vmacaulay0,
You asked "If I decided to use worms and keep them inside, is there a limit to how small of a container I could use for them?" No. There really is no limit. Our daughters each have an 8 oz. bait container with their "pets". The youngest has two adult European Nightcrawlers (Eisenia hortensis) and our oldest has two adult African Nightcrawlers (Eudrilus Eugeniae). Both containers have a lot of castings, cocoons, and babies. The size of the container should be the size that works the best for you.
Beth

Doesn't potting soil already have regular compost in it? One mix I saw recommended was 33% clay soil, 33% sandy soil and 33% compost.

"soil" mix

1 part castings
1 part peet moss
1 part perlite