How to Build a European Nightcrawler Worm Bin.

 

The first step is to start out with a plastic tote container, such as Rubbermaid container. A 16 inch x 21 inch x 16 inch container works well.  Next you need to drill some air holes in the sides of the container and drainage holes in the bottom of the container. They should be 1/16th in. holes on the sides and 1/8th in holes in the bottom. Drill 12 drainage holes in the bottom of the container. Also, drill about 12 total holes on the sides (1/16th in.) a couple inches down from the top of the container. Now the container is ready.

 

Next you want to fill the bottom of the container with an inch of non chemically treated gravel. Cut a piece of window screen the size of the container and put it down on top of the gravel. This will collect the excess water that drains through the bedding and will go out the holes in the bottom of the container.

 

The next step is to soak some Sphagnum Peat Moss in water. It should soak for 2-3 hours before you use it. Once the peat moss has soaked, squeeze the excess water out of the peat moss. It should be moist enough so that only 2-3 drops of water come out when it is squeezed.

 

Make a mixture out of the squeezed peat moss and out of dried leaves. Simply mix about 3/4s peat moss and 1/4 leaves together to put in the bin. (If you don't have leaves, you can use shredded newspaper instead. Just make sure it's not the slick, magazine kind, which is bad for the worms.)

 

Place about 6 inches of the mixture of peat moss and leaves in the bin on top of the screen.  You're almost done!

 

Finally, add your worms on top of the bedding. They will crawl down into the bedding.

 

Make sure that the lid of your container fits tightly around the top edge of the container. This is to prevent any worms from escaping. It doesn't take much room for worms to wiggle out. If you find that your worms start to escape around the lid, you'll have to remove the lid and put a light on over top of them. A 40 watt bulb will cover up to a 4x8 foot area. 

 

Continue to check on them regularly.

 

Keep your worms moist, but not soaking wet. When you squeeze the bedding, only 2-3 drops of water should come out.

 

Feed 500 european nightcrawlers 1-2 tablespoons of oatmeal per day or one of these things: 

 Breakfast cereals

 All organic foods
 Coffee grounds

 Tea Bags

 Oatmeal
 Fruit and vegetables
 Grass and leaves
 Crushed egg shells

 

Do Not Feed:
Meat Products
Fish
Oils
Dairy products
Chemically-treated grass and plants
Food sauces

 

Bury or cover green material, such as fruits and vegetables to prevent them from rotting and attracting insects. Place green material 1-2 inches deep into the bedding. Feed all other types of food on top of the bedding.

 

Do Not overfeed your worms. Overfeeding can attract insects, flys and can start to smell. Do not feed more than your worms can eat down in 2-3 days.

 

The process explained above costs around $75

 

- $50 for 500 European Nightcrawlers (includes the shipping and handling cost)

- $10 for Rubbermaid container

- $10 for peat moss (3.8 cubit ft. bag- plenty)

- $5 for gravel, screen

 

 

Supplies List:

 

- 500 European Nightcrawlers

- 1 Rubbermaid Container

- Drill with 1/8 inch and 1/16th inch drill bits

- 2ft. x 3ft. piece of Window Screen

- 2 gallons of gravel

- 1.0 cubit ft. Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss

- 2 gallons of dried leaves

- Oatmeal or other types of food