| Worm Type | Temperature Range | Processing Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Wiggler | 55-77°F | Fast | Kitchen scraps, general use |
| European Nightcrawler | 50-70°F | Medium | Cooler climates, fishing bait |
| Indian Blue | 68-86°F | Very Fast | Warm climates, maximum output |
Keep bedding as moist as a wrung-out sponge (70-80% moisture). Too dry and worms won't thrive; too wet and it becomes anaerobic.
Limit citrus peels and onions as they can make the bin too acidic. Small amounts are okay, but don't overdo it.
Never add meat, dairy, oils, or pet waste. These attract pests and create odors. Stick to plant-based kitchen scraps.
Harvest finished compost every 3-6 months. Push finished compost to one side and add fresh bedding to the other to separate worms.
Chop or blend food scraps before adding. Smaller pieces decompose faster and are easier for worms to consume.
Bury food waste under bedding to prevent fruit flies and odors. Rotate burial spots around the bin for even distribution.
Inputs
Result
You'll need 1 lb of worms (1,000 worms) costing about $30. Your bin should be 2.6' x 1.3' x 1.0' deep (3.5 sq ft surface area) with 8.6 lbs of bedding. This setup processes 3.5 lbs weekly and produces 7.5 lbs of compost monthly.
Inputs
Result
You'll need 7.8 lbs of worms (7,800 worms) costing about $234. Your bin should be 6.4' x 4.3' x 1.5' deep (27.3 sq ft surface area) with 102.4 lbs of bedding. This setup processes 27.3 lbs weekly and produces 58.5 lbs of compost monthly.
Inputs
Result
You'll need 5.7 lbs of worms (5,700 worms) costing about $160. Your bin should be 7.2' x 2.9' x 2.0' deep (21.0 sq ft surface area) with 105.0 lbs of bedding. This setup processes 21 lbs weekly and produces 45 lbs of compost monthly.
A general rule is 1 pound of worms can process about 0.5 pounds of food waste per day. For a household of 2 people producing 0.5 lbs of waste each per day, you'd need about 2 lbs of worms (approximately 2,000 worms). Red wigglers are the most common choice, reproducing quickly to match your waste output.
You need approximately 1 square foot of surface area per pound of food waste per week. For a family producing 7 lbs of waste weekly, a bin measuring 3.5 feet by 2 feet with a depth of 12-18 inches would be ideal. Surface area is more important than depth for worm composting.
Red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) are the most popular choice for most climates, thriving in 55-77°F and processing waste quickly. European nightcrawlers work better in cooler climates (50-70°F), while Indian blue worms excel in warmer regions (68-86°F) with very fast processing speeds.
Worms typically convert about 50% of food waste into finished compost by weight. A household producing 1 lb of waste daily can expect roughly 15 lbs of rich vermicompost per month. The actual amount varies based on worm population, temperature, and waste composition.
You'll need about 2.5 lbs of bedding material per cubic foot of bin space. Shredded newspaper, cardboard, coconut coir, or aged leaves work well. Keep bedding as moist as a wrung-out sponge (70-80% moisture) and fluff it regularly to maintain airflow.
Red wigglers cost about $30 per pound, European nightcrawlers around $35/lb, and Indian blue worms about $28/lb. For a 2-person household needing 2 lbs of worms, expect to spend $56-70 on worms, plus bin materials. Bins can be DIY (under $20) or purchased systems ($80-300).
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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2026
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