Worm Bin
Composting Worms

Worm Bin Bedding

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Once you purchase or make your worm bin you will need to supply the worms with bedding in which they can hide in and eventually consume. 

The easiest and most popular form of bedding is cardboard and newspaper (minus the glossy ads and printed with soy based ink, which most papers use today).  Another great way to recycle your household waste.  

 The best way we have found to add bedding to the bin is to tear the newspaper and cardboard into 2-3″ strips and separate out the pieces into the bin.  Keep adding the material until the bedding is 6-9″ deep.  

Moisten the bedding

Next you can use a spray bottle to moisten the materials.  Red Wigglers like their bedding to be moist like a wet sponge.  Not dripping wet, and not dry.  We are confident that you can find that happy medium for them.

You will want to make sure you have the bin set up before you receive the worms.  It is important to place the bin in a shady area like a garage, porch or kitchen.  Red Wigglers thrive between 55-77 degrees.    Once you get your new pets delivered to you safely you can place them into the bin. Since worms do not like light they will wiggle their way down through the bedding you supplied them.

Add Light

It is recommended to place a light/lamp above the worm bin for 24-48 hours after you add your worms.  This will help to train your newfound friends to stay in the bin and not try to escape.  You will not need to feed them while they adjust to the bin. 

After this initial period of light your worms will realize they are better off under the bedding than wandering around.  You may see 1-5 worms on occasion find their way up the sides of the bin.  But don’t worry.  As long as you take good care of them they will not try to go any further.