worm problem and worm questions

Hi There,

I was so excited to find you on the internet as I just started my worm compost this week and have some questions I thought you could answer.

My worms came in this Wednesday and I placed them in a Tupperware type non see through container. It is 7 inches deep, 15 inches wide and about 17 inches length. I placed 8 air holes on the lid, then another 3 air holes on each side of my container. I placed several holes on the bottom using 3/16 drill bit sized to allow water to drain to the lower container. This might have been too big of holes on the bottom and maybe too many holes as have had some of my worms go through the bottom and fall into the water below.

1)How many air holes do they need on top and sides and how many holes in the bottom to allow water to drain to bottom container? Also, how large should the holes be at the bottom to let the water drain?

When I made their little home I placed a paper bag down after splitting it in half to make it thinner and poured some water to make it wet but not wringing wet, then I took more paper bags and made a layer with paper bag strips. This layer was maybe 1 inch thick.
I used a spray bottle to moisten this to where it was good and wet but not too wet.
When my worms came in they said it was between 800-1200 worms in the bag. They came in dirt, so I just dumped them all out dirt and all the worms. The dirt made about another 3 inches to the layer. I placed some food scraps of apples, and green leafy vegetables and 1 bag with coffee grinds in it in a corner. Then I covered that with another paper bag I ripped in half to make it thinner and spritzed this will water bottle. I gave them 1/2 lb of food. I have been checking them everyday since Wednesday and have noticed some crawling up the sides and in the space between the handles of the container. They have done this more than once. I have placed them back down in the container. I have had to moisten with water everyday almost with spray bottle as the paper bag seems to dry out quickly. Today is now Sunday and there are new baby worms and lots of eggs I see.


I still see worms under the coffee filter bag with the coffee grinds and a little piece of apple left. Then there were worms up the sides of the container like I said and also worms are everywhere in the bottom of the container bedding all spread out.

2) Are they looking for more food? They are still eating on the coffee filter and grinds.
3) I also had them near the air conditioner and just saw that you said they do not like anything with vibration right?
4) Is my container too small for all of these worms?
5) How do I know when to take out some worms from my container to place elsewhere? How much can this size been hold?
6) Could the pH be causing the worms to not like their enviorment or do you think they just need food or did not like being next to the air conditioner?
7) Do you think I need to take some worms out since they have already reproduced and I also see more eggs?
8) When do you take the worm castings out? Aren't the castings toxic to them? Could this be making them want to crawl up the sides because of the castings?


Thank you so much for any help you can offer me.

God bless you and all you do,
Angela

Answer from BigTex Worms:
From your very first question, I knew you did not purchase your worms from me. All these questions are answered in my online worm composting class that is FREE with any purchase of worms from me.

Unfortunately, you have made some major mistakes in your bedding choices and food choices from the start. It is unfortunate that your seller did not give you good instructions.
I would suggest you purchase my online class and follow the instructions in the class in detail, basically, remove all your worms and start over. If you leave them in the bin as is, it is my opinion they will likely die. Or most may die.
Worm composting is not rocket science, but it is science. And you must get a few things right to have a successful bin.
Click here to purchase my online course for $4.99.
Liz
BigTex Worms