Don't buy an expensive system to start off with. If you want one later when you see you want to do this long term then maybe consider it then. I recommend you start with a 10-gallon plastic tub from a discount store. Drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage if needed.Order 1 pound of red wigglers (most forgiving worm) and set the bin up a couple of weeks before your worms arrive with 3-4" of shredded cardboard/newspaper that has been moistened. Since it is a brand new bin you'll need to establish some microbial life in the bin so get a 1/4 handful of dirt (only time you'll use dirt) and sprinkle in your bin. If you have rotten leaves or horse manure even better. You can add them anytime. Worms love those. Cover the bin with the lid and let set until your worms arrive. Add worms and put under a bright light so the worms will dive down and stay put. Once the worms are added I don't use the lid anymore. I put 3-4" of shredded CB/NP on top to help keep the worms inside the bin. After one week you can begin feeding veggie scraps in small amounts rotating to different sections each time.

i had my plastic tote bin for over 2 years now...totally fine and greater starter....just have sure you have enough drainage holes...thats very important

As mentioned making a worm bin is not hard nor expensive. As in gardening - start small.

Until you learn to not make the worm bin too wet/moist you will certainly need small 1/8" holes. If you have holes you will need something under the bin to collect the leachate. You can use many things for this drip pan, ie. cookie sheet, etc. I think the cookies sheets are a bit harder to handle.

I use a 2nd same size bin - I put somethings inside the 2nd bin so your worm bin doesn't create a vacuum and the two bins are easier to separate. I use empty pill bottles (or soda bottles) for this. Get creative.

Pickup a spray bottle to mist the bedding for first use. Avoid using a watering can which will make the bedding too wet and cause the worms to escape (crawl out) the bin. I prefer using rainwater but that is another topic completely.

Just keep in mind that chlorine kills bacteria and what you will be breeding in this bin is bacteria.

You can tear up newspapers into strips or use shredded paper. I like the cross-cut shredders. This is normally the initial bedding used for worms. You can shred most junk mail just avoid anything that will not decompose, like the cellophane tape or windows in envelopes. So beware if you are using office shredded papers.

IF you add anything from outdoors (including the kitchen scraps) either freeze or heat up the stuff first. The reason is to kill any insect eggs before you start breeding them. Much easier to prevent than to get rid of infestations.

Apparently, fruit flies have already laid eggs on the fruits & vegetable you buy so this freezing (or cooking) is a must before placing in your bin. Obviously, you then need to let those items reach room temp before placing in the bin. Don't believe me - don't do it and see.

To heat up (or cook) you can use a microwave or even a propane gas grill outside. I have re-purposed a grill a neighbor was tossing out for just this purpose. Esp. handy IF you are going to add compost (or soil, or leaves) from outside you will be surprised again just how many critters are in this stuff - So Be Warned.

Oh and always, always bury the food (scraps) you add to the worm bin.

You can find how to do almost anything on YouTube so here goes...

There are many more but this one shows the 2nd bin like I was talking about.

Me thinks the reason his worms were wandering is the bedding was to wet. He even mentions it is too wet but thinks they are looking for food?

I also prefer using Eisenia Fetida (red wiggler) worms. I found mine under a compost pile outside but had their species confirmed at a seminar I went to.

Hope this helps...

HTH

Good Luck

Thank you for all the great info. Will get something together and post for your thoughts.

With the newspaper. It is moistened or misted every time,. Not using it dry?

Curious if the totes sweat and if this creates any issues?

Do the worms not crawl out the bottom holes into the tray beneath?

Rick

Worms don't crawl out IF they are happy. IF the bin is too wet they will wander.

Sweat should only happen when there is a cooler temp on one side AND there is excess moisture in the air. You will want the bin in an area above 60F or so as they will slow down when they get too cold (<50F).

Spray or mist? Normally the first time you add paper you will have to moisten it. If you will be adding fruits and veggies they will contain enuff moisture you should not have to add any more.

People usually add (dry) paper to wick up excess moisture. Or when adding fruits & veggies to help balance the moisture and cover the food. I also use leaves from outside too.

Leaving the cover on (as in tightly sealed) can cause moisture to condense on the inside walls. I tend to place the cover on very loosely - leaving large gaps for air flow but providing a block for the room light.

obtw- when choosing a bin get something opaque - so that light won't shine thru. Worms don't like light.

I guess Im one of the few who didnt kill their first batch of worms or maybe their is a lot of us in that boat. At any rate even if you dont kill them you may lose a few just because the environment in the bin is not quite right. It will take some trial and error at first . Hard plastic will sweat but rubberized totes most likely wont. Moist but not wet , good aeration are two of the prime qualities you will be striving for . Plenty of shredded paper or and cardboard are the wormers friend. I wouldnt start any less than 1 lb of wigglers which is usually around 1000 or so worms. Good luck.

Start small with a homemade bin. You don't need nor want to spend a fortune to get started. Consider buying a worm bin starter mix which will include some bedrun red wigglers, cocoons, and most importantly...some worm bin bedding material from an existing worm bin. That will get you off to a slow but sure start. For more information check out my website. There are a lot of good articles on making a cheap worm bin and getting started. http://www.iowawormcomposting.com I don't list a starter mix but sell them all the time. Just message me at the website and I will take care of you. Hope that helps. I see that you are from Canada. I don't ship there but know people that can help you there also. Just message me from the site.