The Beast – 05-09-13

It’s been more than a month since my last VB48 update, and who knows how long since my last video (lol), so I figured why not combine both of these long-overdue activities and shoot a video VB48 update!
😆

As I point out in this work of cinematographic genius (uhhmmm…), this bin has become much more of a vermiculture system than a vermicomposting system. I am far more focused on growing loads of worms than I am on producing nice vermicompost (giving no thought to that at all, in fact).

My lower “skirt” has performed marvelously since I installed it – the two tray down below are both loaded with worms (mostly Euros), and there is NO mess down on my basement floor! I have even set up two similar tray systems up on top for raising even more worms, and those in combination with my bio-plastic “mulch” layer are currently the only thing acting as a cover.


Having loads of fun with “The Beast” – too bad I don’t have more time to play with it! lol

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Comments

    • Kim from Milwaukee
    • May 9, 2013

    You’ve decorated it so beautifully Bentley! I’m sure the wormies are so proud of their styling home.

    • John W
    • May 9, 2013

    I wonder is that worm friendly paint? Do you think the fumes will stress out the worms? 🙂 maybe you could add a pint of paint to the bin to see how they compost that!

    • Bentley
    • May 9, 2013

    My 5 year old daughter, Adaia, is of course the artiste!

    And I’m pretty sure Crayola watercolors are non-toxic!
    😉

    • John W
    • May 9, 2013

    It was hard to hit the “i’m not a spammer” button on taht post 🙂

    • Kim from Milwaukee
    • May 10, 2013

    Too funny John! I think I heard the worms scream in Canada with that comment of yours….’what are you aboot to do???? noooo, not paint!’

    • Bentley
    • May 10, 2013

    Correction…
    That would be “What are you aboot to do, eh???! …”
    😉

    • Cheryl
    • May 11, 2013

    I had to stop the video a few times to check on my cats. I didn’t know why they were meowing so loud. I backed the video up & my smart cats meowed in the same place. It was good to see the culprit on your video.

    • oneman
    • May 13, 2013

    My cats from next door did the same thing when i ran the video and put the sound up!!

    I did wonder what was going on!

    Daft thing was they were my neighbors cats but they still came in???

    The door was open?

    They come in my small back yard and use my containers as a toilet. They treat us like crap bins and look at us afterwards as if to say it was our fault.

    Will worms eat them when they are dead?

    Only kidding.

    Will the worms eat the poo???????

    Not sure i would like to go into this option.

    Cat poo is a know for me and worms.

    ONEMAN. Sorry no, cat poo and dog is not my thing. Even if it is the best stuff too recycle to gas.

    Haw much are they charging you NOW!!!

    • Linda
    • May 15, 2013

    I’m really enjoying your website and lessons, both…lots of great info. I thought I’d share something regarding your search for a bottom tray big enough to fit your VermBin 48.
    I once wanted to get a custom high-sided cooking tray made to fit my oven, so I took myself off to a metal fabricator/blacksmith, and, by George, they did a great job! I’m new to all this, so I don’t know if metal is acceptable for worm bins, but I suppose one could always line it with plastic.
    Anyway, I thought I’d pass that along. Thanks again for all the great information, clearly presented.

    • Pat C
    • May 16, 2013

    I was wondering about the safety of using manure from horses or other animals that may have been using deworming meds. My thought is that if you put the red wigglers in that manure, won’t it cause them to die out? Just wondering. I live in Canada and I am looking for a place to buy some here and in the United States.

    • Bentley
    • May 16, 2013

    CHERYL/ONEMAN – that’s hilarious re: the cats!
    —-
    ONEMAN – Composting worms will absolutely consume pet waste if the system is set up properly. I once had a compostable kitty litter composter outside and it was loaded with fat Red Worms.
    —-
    LINDA – That’s interesting – thanks for sharing. I wonder if there is someone out there who COULD do a custom-made plastic bin? Would think metal would be pretty heavy and likely expensive for something that size.
    —-
    PAT – I have used aged horse manure for years without any issues. But that’s probably the key – it should be well-aged and/or at least partially hot-composted.
    I live in Canada as well and actually operate a worm biz up here. Here is a link to my other site:
    http://www.wormcomposting.ca/

    • Pat C
    • May 16, 2013

    What is “aged manure”….haha. I’m sorry if that sounds like a ridiculous question. I have no farming experience. I lived in the states for 50 years in a city environment before moving to BC and I still live in a city. Soooooo.

    Help!

    • Kim from Milwaukee
    • May 16, 2013

    Pat, I’ll step in since I have manure experience, per se. LOL Generally when a stable ‘mucks out’ a pen where the horses sleep, they remove all the manure and straw and pile it outside the stable building where it sits and actually composts. It will heat up for a time, then cool down. You want it cool when you give it to your worms so they don’t flee your compost bin.

    Any stable out in the country will let you take as much as you want, I’m sure!! It’s usually something they have more than enough of. 🙂

    • Pat C
    • May 16, 2013

    Hi Kim,

    Thank you. Ooooweee! That might not be ideal for a condo! haha. I have the Worm Farm 360 here in my condo sitting in a box waiting for my return to Canada. We are headed for the states on Sunday and will be gone until Fall. Now, there, I have a house with a yard and it might be a better fit to do something like that there. I can put it in a bin outside the house and “away” from the house as well.

    But, now… I’m wondering if I should go with the African Nightcrawler thingees since Oklahoma is already in the 90 degrees temps and it’s just Spring. The problem that I have had now is that I cannot find anyone in Oklahoma who is selling anything anymore.

    The two places listed are not doing it. One lady sold her business to some guy named Jim who I called and he said he didn’t have any worms at the present. So, all of this might be in vain anyway until I get back to Canada; which would be a bummer….:-(. The thought of having them shipped in from across the country sounds like ending up with a box or container of dead, stinky liquid stuff that I spent money for….:-(.

    • Kim from Milwaukee
    • May 16, 2013

    Pat, any bait shop should have them as well. And aged manure shouldn’t have much of an odor if it’s aged enough. 🙂

    • Pat C
    • May 16, 2013

    I thought bate shops sold fishing worms like the ones for cold water…

    ?. You can tell I am clueless here.

    • Kim from Milwaukee
    • May 16, 2013

    They’re great for fishing, too.

  1. Thanks Bentley for the tour of you bin. You mentioned having trouble finding pans for the bottom of your bin. If you recall, a few years ago I designed an OSCR flow through bin. I used rabbit pans that I found at a local Tractor Supply store. You can also see them at http://www.bunnyrabbit.com/price/duratray.htm. I liked the 24″ x 24″ and sized the bin so the pans would fit tight in the bottom. They may not be cheap but a well fitting tray is worth not having to fiddle with it each time you work with the bin.

  2. That looks like quite the system Bently! I wounder what else you’ll be doing with “The Beast” eh?

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