Worms reduce my bathroom trash by 75%

I put a small container in the bathroom for paper and the cardboard tubes in toilet paper. I plan to add it to the worm bin.  Now my bathroom trash takes forever to get full.  It just goes to show even small changes make a difference.

Congratulations Jen,

I have to tell you, I did try an indoor worm bin once before, but I never got it right and the flies were awful.  But I am glad that you managed to figure out what I never could.  I would be tempted to try this again, but my wife is not thrilled given the number of fruit flies from before.

Nevertheless, congratulations on making this small-but-important achievement.  

Eric

Eric Hanson wrote:the flies were awful.

We had some flies initially with our indoor worm bin. Our solution was to keep a 3-4 inch layer of shredded paper on top. This seemed to keep flies from finding their way in or out of the worm bin and multiplying. Just pull back your paper layer when adding new material, then replace.  

Amy,

I probably did not have enough “mulch” on top and hence the flies.

Eric

I haven't noticed a lot of fly's, but my worm bins are outside.  Mine has only had a bad smell one time, and I was able to fix that, but my family wont let the worm bins in the house.  
The cardboard and paper worm bin is new to me.  Last year I started a bin with what I considered quality bedding, and it has worked great, but it takes about 8 months to get castings.  So I decided to start a second bin with cardboard and paper for the bedding.  It seems to be going much faster, but the verdict is still out.  At least I'm reducing the things I add to the landfill.  I'm hoping it will be a win win.

Maybe I was super luck last year, but I didn't have anything in my worm bins, but worms.  This year is a different story.  The worm bin made with old wood chips and compost has lots of pill bugs in it, and the worm bin with cardboard and paper bedding has spiders.  I know these bugs and spiders won't hurt, I just would rather not have to deal with them.  I'm sure the pill bugs came with the compost and wood chips, and I accidentally left the lid off the other bin, so that must be when the spider went in.  One isn't a big deal, but tons of little spider baby's, no I'm vary irritated at myself.
An update on the bins even with the very hot weather we are having, both bins are progressing nicely.  I am convinced I was keeping my bin last year to dry.  I'm guessing maybe two more weeks and I can harvest the worm castings in the cardboard bedding bin.  Much much faster then the wood chip bin. (not a surprise, of course cardboard and paper  brake down faster then wood.)  Thanks Jen