I am no expert, yet, but I have been suprised around here and in MY particular bin to find that my worms like it a little bit "damper" than everyone has suggested. I put dry shredded office paper on top of the wet paper and I figure they can get a break from the wet when they want. Are your worms getting enough AIR. And, if you were feeding them real food last batch...are you still feeding the same amount, or maybe you might start another bin, although I don't think they mind being over crowded somewhat. Always, bugs and things that I have kept in containers race to the top for air the most. But, why not spray it down with water to what they were used to in the first place and see if that was the reason for the migration...they get used to conditions just like us. Hope this helps...at least, getting the ideas flowing! I will be in here soon crying for help like a baby, quite soon, I am afraid. =o( Good luck! =o)

Some worms just seem to like wandering up to the lid perhaps it is the particular moisture and humidity there. Just because they are on the underside of the lid doesn't mean they really wanted to leave. Different types of worms probably like slightly different conditions too. New bedding is new bedding and even if it is very similar to what you started with last time, they had gotten used to the mix with the castings and decomposing bedding so now they have to get used to the new bedding again.

Thanks for the replies. I think I will wet it down some more and see what happens. My only hesitation to wetting it down is that it seems hard to go back (if you so desire) once you do that.

If it's new bedding, they're probably freaked out. Leave the light on for a few days, and they'll settle down.

Deanna

Worms do like moisture and if your mulch or compost is dry they will look for it, presumably there was condensation on the underside of the lid? On the other hand if you compost in summer you must be prepared to damp down the "pile" otherwise you will have fried worms or hasty retreat of them, all the bacteria that helps compost break down require moisture/ humidity, after all we like a drink with our meals!!

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.gardeningforyou.com

I'm in Honolulu, Hawaii and it is our Fall/Winter. Last week it was pouring rain & my worms tried to escape! I hadn't done anything different!! I kept the lid open so the light would chase them down - it seemed to work but there were a few that were successful in committing suicide.
Once in awhile the bin gets a bit damp/worm so I put newspaper thru my shredder, rip up some cardboard, mix the 2 paper products then fluff into the bin and cover the top (give that part a few squirts of water but not squeezed sponge dampness) and that SEEMS to help.
Last month I moved my worms from 2 mini-bin starters to a 10-gallon rectangle w/cover Rubbermaid type container. Put 2 tubes of 1" PVC with holes thru the middle of the bin to help aerate and to keep temperature cool. Our summer was WARM and I would toss some ice cubes on the tops of the mini-bins and they survived the summer.
Good luck! I hope you are able to stop the escapes!!