The composting process doesn’t work unless your bin has enough oxygen to feed the bacteria and worms inside. In order to achieve this balance, it’s crucial to drill holes in either the top or sides of the bin for ventilation. Don’t forget to turn the contents of the bin at least once a week, doing so will ensure that there is enough oxygen feeding the middle of your compost pile. An easy way to tell if your compost pile needs to be turned is by placing a thermometer in it to see whether the center is the appropriate temperature (up to 160 degrees). This step is important because the composting process gives off a great deal of heat which kills off plant seeds and harmful bacteria. Here are a few key elements to consider when drilling your holes.
Step 3
Drill Holes
Height
Placing your ventilation holes towards the top of the bin is key. Red wiggler worms have a tendency to try and escape their environment whenever they aren’t completely satisfied. Don’t panic. Reasons for these prison breaks range, and not all of them mean that you are a bad worm parent. Some include a lack of oxygen (which can easily be fixed with a fresh turn of the pile), to a variety of environmental conditions including excessive moisture, lack of moisture, baby worms, or even an imbalance in pH levels.