The bins need air flow so some sort of venting. If holes are drilled, screening needs to be applied so the worms don't exit the holes. Here's a picture of the bin my hubby puts together for me, adapted from one I saw at a vermi composting class I took. There's six 2" vents along the bottom sides and one 3" vent in the top. I find the vents in the air conditioning section of HD. And the bottom vents have screening around them as the instructor told us the worms will exit through the vents if they are not screened. HTH.

One really important thing for them to know is that there is no "way" to do it. It's an art. For instance, I have started hundreds of plastic "rubbermaid" bins without ever using screen wire to cover holes

After drilling all those holes for a short time, I quit that and for years now have drilled 2 holes in one end of the bottom and one hole on each end of the bin just under the lid lip. Only.

No worms have ever either fled, or suffered from a lack of oxygen. Neither have the worm beds suffered from the un-holeyness of their homes.

Best advice to give them: Read the vermicomposting forums from this website and ask questions of this website. And go with the flow.

And follow the 3 practices I sometimes put just under my name at the end of these replies.

chuckiebtoo

Moderation, Diversity, Patience

That's good to know chuckie. Here I thought they needed plenty of air and they would escape if I failed to screen 'em in. Thanks for your input. Hubby will be happy to drop the screening because it's a hassle to do. But I do like 'The Look' of the vents so will probably continue with those.

The prob I would see with using those big old holes without screen: some worms will occasionally fall out of them accidentally. I drill 1/2" holes.

Just remember that if the worm-home is worm-worthy, they ain't gonna want to go anywhere. They will flee from lack of moisture, heat, light, and if they feel neglected or mistreated. Build them a resort, they'll thrive. A prison: put bars on the windows.

chuckiebtoo

m,d,p

I know, I know - that is all true about why they try to escape. But my life is still controlled more by running my bookkeeping business from home and my focus on the worm community sometimes takes a backseat, unfortunately. From time to time when I look in on the wrigglers, they are crawling up the sides and searching for adventures elsewhere. I do try to keep them happy at home but ...... well, what can I say? Life intrudes. I do appreciate your input.

I think we all make mistakes in the beginning I know I did . I made holes lots of them , then I went to screened windows similar to what your show here. Then I coverered those up and cut out the bottoms and put in 1/4" screening[hardware cloth] to imitate the factory systems. If the bedding is setup properly they will be happy and will not want to leave but this could take some time to get their environment right for them. I also leave the plastic bins lids sliightly cracked, very slightly this will prevent plastic sweating. The one word chuckie used "Patience" might be the most important issue in the beginning. When people first get their worms and throw them into this alien world which they do not know they will rebel or try to. On the first night hang a bright light over the bin [talking inside bins of course] and leave it on at least the first 24 hrs. Keep the bedding moist but only just moist. As people go along they will make adjustments but cutting out the bottoms and using 1/4" screening and taping over the windows I still feel very good about. The following may show how I have adapted over time.

Thanks all! It went well.... And now I will send each of them the link to this site, something I forgot to do!! Yes, my roving Rubbermaid bin (indoors in winter, out in late spring/summer... Or today since I heaved it out of the home for today's "lesson" and it seemed like too much work to return it!) has minimal holes, no screening and they do just fine.

FWIW I think anyone who shares something productive they have a passion for is doing a great thing. Good to hear it went well.

Hey Steve;
Thanks for those pics. Because of the second pic, I now finally understand the difference between a 'Cafe Bra' and other kinds of Bras. It would appear that the 'Cafe Bra' is made of Burlap.

Shaul

I am sure it is itchy but does the job....

Hey Shaul--- Thanks for bringing that up Needed a good laugh for the day.

Probably designed for squirmy penitents who've spent too much time feeding their endless, gluttonous desires for watermelon and pumpkin, while carousing in the nude.

Shaul