How I built my vermicomposter

This is my first vermicomposter. Here’s my how-to instructions on how I built my worm bin.

This is the first worm bin I’ve built, so it has been a learning experience for me. While doing research for my worm bin, I found many different shapes and sizes for bins; some are made from wood, some from plastic, some have multiple layers… there doesn’t seem to be a universal worm bin. I was kind of fond of the ones that use plastic storage containers; they are easily attainable and don’t cost too much either, so I decided to use one of those.

I noticed most people drill holes in the container for ventilation, but I decided to go with louvre vents. From what I’ve read, the vents provide more air flow than simply drilling holes. And it makes it look snazzier too. I used Mark’s Bently’s Mini Worm Composting Bin for inspiration

Some systems have holes drilled on the bottom and have a lid or something to catch the worm tea. Or bins are nested, one inside the other to catch the worm tea. I didn’t like the idea of this too much because I’ve read the worms can fall through the holes. So I decided to install a drainage spigot on my worm bin.

Here’s a list of materials and tools I used:

• Rubbermaid plastic storage bin
• 8 – 2″ louvre vents
• Spigot
• Pen/Marker
• Dremel

First, I decided where I wanted the vents; four on the lid. Then I traced around the vents with a marker and used the dremel to cut out the holes for the vents.

I did the exact same thing for the sides; two vents on each side and for the spigot.

Here are some tips I learned when building my worm bin:

• When cutting out the holes for the vents, cut slightly on the outside of the marker line. If you cut on the inside, the hole will be too small for the vent.
• Most of my vents fit perfectly snug, but two of them were loose and wouldn’t stay in. So I doubled-up a rubber band and used that on the inside of the vent to kept it in place.
• Be sure to peel off the price tag stickers on the vents before you install them for maximum ventilation.
• I found the louvre vents at my local hardware store; down the building materials isle, next to the parts for gutters.

Here’s my finished vermicomposter. Now I just need to get some worms!