Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do the worms eat?

A: Worms can eat all of your vegetable kitchen scraps such as melon rinds, lettuce, banana peels, vegetable scraps, etc. They also eat coffee grounds and tea bags, crushed egg shells, cardboard egg cartons, newspaper and plain uncolored paper. Though worms can eat meat, we don’t recommend this or dairy products in your worm bin due to the risk of attracting pests and developing smells.

Q: Are these regular earthworms?

A: The type of worms used in a worm bin are Red Wigglers or Red Worms. The scientific name is Eisenia Fetida or Lumbricus rubellus. These are a type of Earthworm but are not the large earthworms that you often find deep in the ground of your garden. There are various species of Earthworms. Not all Earthworms are good composters. Not all composting worms will be able to survive deep in the dirt of your garden.

Q: What do the worms actually do with the garbage you feed them?

A: Worms Eat Your Garbage! Though worms don’t have teeth they are able to ingest approximately half their body weight in food per day. The waste left behind is called castings and these a casting help to replenish the earth with vital nutrients.

Q: Do you have to worry about keeping a certain balance like you do in a yard composter?

A: A certain balance is necessary but it is not quite as delicate of a balance as needed in a traditional composter. It is important to avoid excessive amounts of citrus, such as orange and lemon peels and to avoid large amounts of garlic and onion. I encourage a balanced diet similar to our own needs. A main part of the worms diet as well as a main contributor to the balance of the bin is the bedding itself. Newspaper for example not only provides a good environment for worm movement but also a source of cellulose for energy.

Q: Where do you have to keep the worm bin? Outside or inside?

A: The placement of your worm bin is dependent on the temperature primarily. The worms need to be kept between 50 and 80 degrees F to continue to feed on your garbage. The worms may survive in the 40’s but will not survive below freezing temperature. The worms are also at risk of dying at temperatures above 86 degrees F. Obviously this means that your worm bin may need to be moved during different seasons depending on where you live. A perfect place for the bin is in the basement, laundry room or in the kitchen during extreme temperatures. Many people move the bin to an outside area during the mild months. The bin is designed to be safe and odor free so that keeping the bin indoors is very convenient.

Q: How big is the worm bin?

A: The worm bin recommended by Urban Worm Girl for home use stands 23 inches tall and is a square container measuring 15 X 15 inches. There is an option to add additional trays on the top to accommodate more waste recycling. Each tray is 5 inches high.

Q: Does a worm bin attract mice, rats and other pest?

A: When a worm bin is properly maintained, it is essentially odor free and does not attract pests. The worm bin recommended by Urban Worm Girl has been specially designed for proper aeration to minimize odor. It has also been designed with wind resistant roof to keep the worms safe and happy. Because the worms are actually eating the foods scraps placed in the bin, the food is not “rotting”, creating an unpleasant odor which may attract pests.

Q: What do you need to start a worm composting system at home?

A: All you need to start is a bin, bedding, worms and kitchen scraps.

Q: Why do I need to purchase this type of multi layered worm bin? Can’t I just use a big Tupperware bin?

A: Composting with worms can definitely be done in all types of bins. Many people have even built wooden worm bins custom designed to fit their individual needs. The multi layered worm bin seems to be the most space efficient and most convenient type of bin designed with an urban life in mind. This bin allows you to let the worms do most of the work. The worms move through the layers of bedding and food leaving behind trays of castings to harvest. This design also allows you to drain off the nutrient rich, “Worm Tea”, through the spigot at the base. Not only is this liquid great for your houseplants but the accumulation of fluid in other bins can harm your worms and create an odor in your bin.

Q: How often do you need to add more bedding?

A: Bedding needs to be added when you are starting a new working tray. Usually the worms will be ready for a new tray with 6-8 weeks. Additional bedding may also need to be added during the working phase of a tray to help maintain the balance and reduce moisture. Newspaper or coconut coir are excellent ways to soak up any excess moisture you notice as well.

Q: Do the worms ever escape?

A: Unfortunately there are occasions when the worms try to leave the comforts of their new home. But don’t worry, this is rare and can be avoided from the very beginning by remembering a couple things. Occasionally when worms are first added to their new bin they have trouble settling in. For the first week, leave a light shining on the bin, even at night. The worms do not like light and will avoid it. Within the week the worms should settle into their new surroundings. Then caring for the worms on a regular basis should help them to stay healthy and hungry and settled in. It has been brought to my attention recently that during storms, worms often rise to the surface of the bin. Keeping your roof securely in place with a binder clip or Velcro may reassure you that the worms are staying put.

Q: Will my dog or cat bother the worms?

A: Pets do not bother a bin that has been well maintained and is odorless. Adding a binder clip or Velcro to your bins roof may once again reassure you that the worms are safe and the pets are not interested. This may also assure you that a wagging tail will not disturb the worms.