Denno, we range from 80 to 100+ most of the summer here, and I never do anything to protect my rubbermaids except keep them out of direct sun. I think the bin stays cool in the middle, and the worms can move around to the temp they like.

When you said your bin was 90, that must have been on the top of the bedding, right? Did you stick the thermometer down into the bedding? I'd be interested to know what the temp is mid-bin.

Cannot help you with the cold at all. My bins are out all winter and the worms did fine in spite of a good week of heavy frost (no laughing, please).

If that bed is in the direct sunlight anytime during the day they are dead no matter what you do! You might leave the top off during the day and keep them damp so the moisture can evaporate and keep the internal temp. of the bed a little lower. The water driping down from the jug melting is probably why the worms are congregating on top of the cardboard. They love damp cardboard!

Thanks for the replies. Now that you mentioned it, Socks, the thermometer is in the corner, at the bottom, but the bedding is not too thick there. So, as per your suggestion, I'll go out and move it to the middle. And, no, the bin is in the dark of my shed all day long. I do have a fan blowing towards the roof to force warm air out. Yes, some condensation leaks onto the cardboard, making it damp and cool.

Just as a follow-up, I checked the thermometer in the middle of the bedding, and it's at 85 F. The temp in the shed at 8 feet above the ground is 94. So, as you surmised, the temp is cooler towards the inside and bottom. I see you're in zone 9, maybe along the Gulf, or Fl? I lived in SW Fl for 14 yrs, and every afternoon from May to Sept was 95+, and I was on the coast! Needless to say, I didn't bother with gardening! Or Vermiculture!

you may need to keep the bed as deep as possible as it serves as insulation in both summer and winter. The worms will go to the coolest part of the bed.

Your building maybe the problem. I first had mine in the garage and they were always too hot. I moved them out back in the shade of some pecan trees and they are doing great even with the temp at 100.
Good Luck

I have some bins on my driveway, in shade, always. I am in Raleigh and the temperatures have been 100-104 all week. They are just fine. My other bins that are out near the woods, in shade, are also doing well.

Yes, Bama, the building is a problem, but I don't have a 'shade' option. I moved here 3 yrs ago, and I have two acres of pasture land(no trees), and have planted many, but still too small for shade. But, I just wanted to share the experience I've had, and using the 'ice' jugs have helped. And to SQH1, (Susan) your info on how your worms get through the heat, is what encouraged me to try out my plan. Being at a little higher altitude, (Mt Airy) I reached a high of 97 during the week.

My worm bin has been doing fine in Central FL this summer even without ice jugs. The bin is pretty big and deep. Currently about 2foot by 2 foot by 16 inches deep. It will expand to 2 foot by 4 foot as the population increases. Anyway, even when the top of the bedding dries out, the lower levels stay moist and cooler. I have a good location for them, in an old dog kennel with a roof so they are in the shade but plenty of air to keep things cool.

As for the ice jugs, it might not be necessary to keep the worms alive in the heat but it could help keep the temps in a better range for worm breeding.

FYI the bigger the bin/deeper bedding, the more insulated the center will be from all adverse outside temps.

Thanks for all the inputs. Apparently, the worms can do pretty good in higher heat ranges, providing they can get to an area deep enough in bedding to provide them insulation. This will be good to remember in the winter, also. My guys seem to be doing fine, consuming more as time goes on, and I'm giving them varying types of food. I notice they really take to the fruit leftovers(not citrus), versus the coffee grinds, which are slowly disappearing. I don't add more until they consume the last offering.

Demo,

On the issue of surviving the cold, as an apartment dweller who had hoped her bin could live on the balcony year round, I had to accept that under the sink was my only option. Worms apparently won't survive under 4 degree Celisus, or I guess about 2-3 degrees Fahrenheit.

I looked around for insulated bins and couldn't find any though an old refrigerator or freezer was the best option that presented itself that might cut the ice so to speak...I would guess your winters are almost as cold as ours up here. So you may be able to leave them out through November but once night time temps head for zero, you may need to bring them inside for the winter.

Chris/Toronto

Denno,
Where did you live in SW FL?
1eyedJack and the Dawg

Hi Dawg-I lived on Pine Island, just to the west of Cape Coral. And no, Seacat. We don't usually get any temps near zero on a regular basis. In the last three winters here in this part of NC, the lowest I recorded is 17 degrees, but is probably more like 25-40 degrees on most winter nights.

I have my 'bins' right on the ground - and I have everything covered with a thick layer of dried weeds/straw for insulation, and I water them a little each day to cool off - it's WAY over a hundred degrees for a few days running down (mountains in No.CA) and worms are happy.