Using worms in a compost bin could not be easier, and the end product is perfect to use as a plant food / potting material.

The simple steps are:

1. Weigh your weekly waste output to get an idea of the number of worms you need / surface area of bin required. (a adult  worm weighs approximately 1.5 grams, and will eat approximately 3.5 grams a week - so if you have 1 kg of waste a week, it will take 1000/3.5 = 286 worms to eat their way through your waste every week, and worms will happy live at a rate of 200 per square foot, so from above you would need a surface area of  1.43 square feet)
2. Having decided on the size of bin you require (& constructed / brought it) Simple add the waste by spreading it across the surface evenly.
3. The bin will need a lid on it to stop the worms escaping (after mating they like to put some distance between themselves).
4. The waste you add should be damp to wet, and if the bin looks to be drying out, spray some water over the surface.
5. Once the bin is full, you will need to remove the worms  by taking the top 3 inches off (where the worms live unless it is cold when they might be down as far as 6 inches), putting it all to one side, dig out the compost, and then put the top 3 inches (complete with worms) back in the bottom.

Do’s and Don’ts.

Do keep the bin damp as worms will die from dehydration if it dries out.

Do keeping adding waste, like all animals, they need their food. (you don’t need to worry however when you go away on holiday).

Don’t add dog or cat waste or cat litter.

Don’t add grass cuttings with out first semi composting (the heat generated over the first 2 weeks after cutting will kill the worms).

Don’t add meat products or cooked food - it will make the bin smell!