By Priya Agarwal
So, you want to try vermicomposting in your very own worm bin. That’s a great idea! However, before you start, it’s normal to have questions, and that is in fact a good thing! If you have questions, you’ll look for answers, and you’ll learn more in the process.
In this article, we want to tackle a question we’re often asked by people, which is: Do worm bins stink? If you want a quick answer it’d be ‘no’, but there are some ifs and buts in there. So let’s buckle up, and dive right in!
Worm bins should not smell
If you practice composting, you’ll know that compost bins do not smell. You could have manure, kitchen scraps and what-not in there, but it just smells nice and earthy. Your worm bin is no different, and it shouldn’t smell. You can expect a mild, earthy smell (like petrichor) if you go close and sniff, but there shouldn’t be any unpleasant odors normally – which is why you can keep it indoors.
Your worm bin isn’t just a ‘thing’, it’s a living ecosystem of sorts – a habitat for your worms. So if everything is going smoothly, it should smell pleasant and earthy. Earthworms themselves do not smell, and what you’re putting in there won’t either, because the worms should have plenty of time to work it through and turn it into vermicompost – which also does not have any smell.
What if your worm bin stinks?
Well, that means something is wrong. Usually it means you’ve given your wriggly friends too much food, and it has started to go bad. The best option would be to get rid of it, change the bedding, harvest the castings, and start afresh with fresh bedding and food.
Your bin may also smell if you’ve given your worms the wrong kind of food. This includes meat, citrus, onion, dairy, and oil. So, avoid cooked food, and avoid giving your worms meat and milk – because while they can eat the latter, it’ll stink up the worm bin and make it unpleasant.
Another situation in which your bin might smell is if it has poor drainage or ventilation. Your worms may also be at risk in this situation. So, fix the situation ASAP, and change the food and bedding if required. It’s a good idea to buy a worm bin online (like ours!) because they’re designed keeping vermicomposting in mind, and therefore keep problems like these from occurring.
The Worm Bucket blog
If you’d like to learn more about vermicomposting, bookmark our blog and check back often. We post articles that cover vermicomposting basics, troubleshooting, how tos, tips, and subjects related to vermicomposting, such as gardening and composting.
If you’d like to check out the Worm Bucket, visit this link. It has an outer drainage bucket, escape-proof ventilation holes, and carrying handles. Its square shape makes it easy to tuck into a corner anywhere. When you buy the product, you get an instruction guide, coco coir and perlite with it, so you can get started with vermicomposting.