Worm Bins

Your bin needs to be only 8" - 12" deep (compost worms are surface feeders). You could build your own bin (directions to follow), buy a plastic storage container, or a commercially available worm bin. Just be sure your bin has a lid to keep out flies and rodents. The rule of thumb for bin size is two square feet of surface area per person, or one square foot of surface area per pound of food wastes per week. A family of four may need more than one bin.

The 2' x 2' Bin

Materials

5/8" plywood; one 4' x 4' piece cut into six pieces: two 24"x12", two 21-5/8"x12", one 24"x22-7/8", one 24"x26-3/8"
2x2" wood: two 18-5/8", two 15-3/4" pieces
2x4" wood: one 24", four 12" pieces
Four small wood blocks and sixteen 1" nails
1-1/2" wood scres: 64
1" galvanized finish nails: 20
4" gate hinges: two, with 1-1/2" screws

Tools

Hand or power saw, hammer, measuring tape, pencil, square, drill with 1/4" & 3/32" bits, and safety goggles for power saw.

Assembly

Pre-drill screw holes with the 3/32" bit as you go. Screw the 1' 2x4"s to the front and back walls, 5/8" in from each edge to allow space for the side walls. Then screw the 15-3/4" 2x2"s between the 2x4"s along the bottom edges of the front and back walls. Screw the 18-5/8" 2x2"s to the side walls, along the bottom edge, allowing 1-1/2" on each side for the upright 2x4"s as shown. Screw the plywood bottom to the 2x2" frame pieces, then drill twelve 1/4" ventilation holes 6" to 10" apart. Nail wood blocks to the bottom. Screw the 2' 2x4"s to the lid, then attach the lid to the box with gate hinges. Be sure hinge screws go through the back wall of the bin, into the upright 2x4"s.

Where to Put Your Worm Bins

Because worms like moderate temperatures (between 55 and 75 degrees F.), place your bin in a shady location where it will not freeze or overheat and is protected from rain, such as under the kitchen sink, garage, basement, patio or laundry room.

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