Wow, forget everything i just said. I just spent 1/2 an hour picking up worms off my cellar floor. I guess the holes were way too big?

Keep the lights on for the time being and the worms won;t be so apt to crawl out. I have ventilation holes in the cover of my bins and around the top 1 inch. I made them with a 7/64" bit. I know a smaller worm can squeeze thru that if he is so inclined but not many have. The will be less inclined as the bin ages.

comments:

You would be amazed how small a hole your worms can crawl through. Go with the bin you have and know that worms will try to crawl out. The light idea is a good one.

Dirt? You should not have dirt in your bin. Putting paper in the catch basin will only help if there is a LOT of moisture draining. You should be fine without it.

I check mine about once a week to move escapees back into the bin.

Your worms should be fine next week. Worms thrive on neglect. Feed them a little heavier than you would otherwise, and enjoy your trip. If the worms are still escaping, keep a light on over the bin while you are gone.

Worms go thru window screen- check out worm powers vids.
Lightly sprinkle dirt to start microbes. Composting worms are not burrowing type worms but top dwellers. A little grit for the gizzard can't hurt either.
Ask the house sitter to pick up any worms off the floor and toss them back in the box.
And by the way- there may not be a better worm system for you than a RM tote set-up. I know folks who have used them for years. For the $, I think they rule!