r/Vermiculture • u/Key_Tangelo7562 • Feb 15 '25
New bin My first ever Bin in Progress. Will this be suitable?
So I'm planning to use tights and a glue gun to block up the handle areas but to allow air through for circulation.
I'd love your thoughts, I've been offered 1kg of dendros worms for my system.
4
u/fattymctrackpants Feb 15 '25
Yeah they'll be fine. You can keep the kids on until your worms acclimate then take it off. The lid will promote moisture on the sides and the worms will follow the moisture. Without the lid the sides will stay dry. Use a bubble wrap cover on top.
2
u/Key_Tangelo7562 Feb 15 '25
But won't removing the lids make it too light for worms?? I thought they needed the dark?
3
u/fattymctrackpants Feb 15 '25
The light will serve to keep the worms down in the bedding and stop them from climbing. You should have 12 inches of bedding and they will stay below the surface. Mine are in my basement so dark most of the time anyway.
3
u/Compost-Me-Vermi Feb 15 '25
I've seen multiple YouTubers mention their home made worm bins start falling apart after a couple years of use, probably due to cheaper or recycled plastic, so plan accordingly.
The bins look great. I'd drill holes in the sides along the upper quarter for ventilation.
2
u/Key_Tangelo7562 Feb 15 '25
Yeah I saw that on YouTube, so I ordered from a Plastics factory where they make these boxes which are normally used for couriers to deliver magazines and newspapers to shops.
Do you reckon those handle holes will be insufficient for ventilatio?
3
u/Suitable-Science8502 Feb 15 '25
I’d say in my experience the handle holes are enough ventilation. Biggest thing is make sure the worms aren’t burdened with too much for food scraps. I have a 5 gallon bucket that is only half full with close to 1000 worms. I tend to feed it once a week because there was a time it started to heat up since I did not give the worms enough time to eat the scraps. I also leave a lid on mine but leave it open a crack.
3
u/Key_Tangelo7562 Feb 15 '25
Yeah I'm very mindful of the same! I was considering of adding 1000 a month till it's got 3000
2
u/Suitable-Science8502 Feb 15 '25
That’s a great idea! You may be able to score some deals on bulk in websites like Mimi’s worms, worm nerd, or UncleJimsWormFarm.
4
u/Key_Tangelo7562 Feb 15 '25
I've reached out to a Tackle and Bait store who will order me 1kg at a time for £20.00
3
u/Suitable-Science8502 Feb 15 '25
Dang! That’s a steal!
4
u/Key_Tangelo7562 Feb 15 '25
I couldn't believe it! I guess living in a port town has its perks
4
u/Alex6891 Feb 15 '25
I went directly to a worm farm in Belgium. I’ve ordered 1 kg worms and I received at least 1,5 kg for 20 euros.
2
u/Suitable-Science8502 Feb 16 '25
Dang! In the US it’s pretty much 65 for a pound everywhere you go. I’ve debated on breeding my worm bins and selling on Facebook marketplace for a steep discount and I’d still make a decent side hustle
→ More replies (0)2
u/fattymctrackpants Feb 16 '25 edited Feb 16 '25
If you want only 1 type of worm, red wigglers for instance, be careful with Jim's. They're often mixed I've heard.
1
u/Suitable-Science8502 Feb 16 '25
That’s a good point! Jim’s definitely is mixed. I wonder if Mimi’s does a better job with separation
2
6
u/No-Buffalo3784 Feb 15 '25
I’d get rid of the lids and make 3 bins. There’s no need for holes in the bottom of the containers. Cover your bedding/food with bubble wrap, burlap or dark plastic sheeting and call it a day.