Indoor Worm Bins - Recommendations?

[Jeannie]

Hi! I am looking to start a worm bin for composting. I'm looking for recommendations for a bin that would fit in an average size laundry room and allow me to farm the castings for Worm Tea. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Jeannie

[Glenna Rose]

Take a look at this site for starters. It describes one very similar to what our extension office classes teach locally.

site doesn't show the drain at that bottom at the end but a search will likely show some that do. It is a short length of flexible tube with a clip to release it to harvest the tea.

Check with your local extension service; they may very well offer classes. Ours charged $25 for the class which covers the bin and the worms so participants go home with a fully functioning worm bin. All they have to do is add food.

There are a lot of fancy ones available that can be used as seats. Some folks build a wooden bin right into kitchen cabinets. For a long time, I kept my in my bathroom on the vanity counter because it is far longer than it needs to be. Some people have even made coffee table bins and have them right in their living room. There is no odor if it is properly maintained which is not at all difficult.

There are many types of ready-to-use bins to buy if you are inclined. Manufacturers are good at not letting a sales opportunity go by. Check with your local extension office as many offer classes in the fall which is almost upon us.

Have fun!

Glenna

Here's wooden bins:

plastic bin: worms from

[Jim Kingdon]

We've used the Can-O-Worms:

drains the leachate out the bottom easily, and provides an easy way to rotate 3 different layers (so when the bottom layer is done you empty it out and move the empty tray to the top).

The main issue for indoors use, in my experience, is insects (little black flying ones, flies or fungus gnats or whatever they are). I've read that you can control them by not adding too much food at one time, and by controlling the ratio of kitchen garbage to bedding (e.g. newspaper). We're still playing around with that. Be ready to put up fly paper until you have it figured out.

[Jan Flora]

Seeds of Change sells a three layered worm bin for indoor use. It's not very expensive either. (And I'm too comfortable to get up and fetch that catalog right now. You'll find them easily on Google.)

Jan