If the tub had worms, meaning it also had some other stuff in it already, it could be that the stuff is stale or bad for the worms. I would redo it and know what has been put in it, as well as how old it is.

As to combining them, I would combine the worms only, not the contents of the other tub, since that is suspect.

If you suspect bad or sick worms, then also resolve that as a possible problem first, before deciding to combine them or not.

Thanks. I think caution is probably in order. I'll probably just wait for my outside compost pile to pass the hot phase and free whatever survivors are in the rubbermaid bin, rather than run even the small risk that something contagious might hurt my happy population.

I too would be leary of the tub contents. For myself I dont even add office paper but plenty of newsprint does go in. With only 500 or so worms in the container it should be fairly easy to separate the worms out and start over knowing whats in your tub.

Underperforming means to me that the bin isn't toxic to the wormies. If it were me, I would put the tub contents into an isolated section of the factory. That way, the worms can choose to evacuate the "toxic" end of the new home.

I am hoping you dumped this bin of office paper into the outdoor bin.

It always sounds like such a good idea to use shredded office paper and junk mail for a bin. Fright face. I wonder if these people are throwing their tasty egg cartons, and delicious coffee trays into the recycling bin? ... Giving me minor heart palpitations and making my left eye wink a bit uncontrollably.