How-to Guide
How to Start a Worm Bin for Vermicomposting
The short answer
A worm bin needs four things: an opaque, lidded, ventilated container; moist bedding; redworms (red wigglers); and food scraps. Redworms are surface feeders that thrive in confinement, so they're the right worm — not soil earthworms. Shred newspaper or cardboard into strips for bedding, moisten it, and add roughly one pound of redworms to a small bin, which is about 500 to 1,000 worms.
Keep the bin moist, well-ventilated, and at 55–75°F — a basement, cool garage, or kitchen works well. Bury food scraps under the bedding to avoid fruit flies, and cut them small so the worms process them faster. Expect a noticeable amount of finished vermicompost in about six to eight weeks.
Set up the bin
- 1Pick a container — Use a sturdy, opaque, lidded plastic tote (about 14 gallons is a good starter size) — worms are sensitive to light and need it dark and ventilated.
- 2Add moist bedding — Shred newspaper or corrugated cardboard into thin strips, soak it, drain the excess, and place it loosely in the bin.
- 3Add redworms — Add about one pound of redworms (red wigglers) — roughly 500–1,000 worms — for a small bin.
- 4Feed and maintain — Bury small food scraps under the bedding to avoid fruit flies; keep it moist and at 55–75°F in a basement, cool garage, or kitchen.
✔ The smaller you chop food scraps, the faster the worms digest them. Expect usable vermicompost in about 6–8 weeks.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- University of Maryland Extension — Indoor Worm Composting or Vermicomposting — Container, moist bedding, redworms, food scraps; opaque bin; shredded paper/cardboard bedding; ~1 lb (500–1,000) redworms; 55–75°F; bury scraps; ~6–8 weeks to vermicompost.
- Oregon State University Extension — Composting with Worms (EM 9034) — Redworms/red wigglers as surface feeders suited to bins; bedding and location guidance for a home worm bin.