I've been keeping some nitecrawlers and red wrigglers I bought earlier this summer in the fridge outside. I moved them from the original plastic tubs into a heavy foam box about 10" X 10" X 10" that my uncle used to use to keep worms in. They really seem to be doing well and there seem to be at least double the number I originally put in there in late July/early August.

Last week I was cleaning out the workshop and garage and came across an old plastic tub my wife used to store winter clothing in. It's probably 3' X 2' X 2' (LWH). I don't have the top for it anymore and at first I threw it in the trailer to take to the dump. Then I thought, "Hey, wait a minute, that would make a great worm tub!" Now, I've got questions:

I thought I'd fill it with peat moss and worm bedding that I found at Bass Pro and just dump them in. Would that be OK?

It's got a crack in the bottom so water won't stay in it but should I drill additional holes and then place screen or something like that in the bottom?

Should I put a layer of rocks in the bottom on top of the screen (if I put that in there)?

I also thought I'd place it along the back of my house, right up against it under a crepe myrtle tree and other bushes not buried. Would that work? What about if it gets really cold this winter?

I am also in the process of insulating my garage doors and I'll probably have a couple of the sheets of 1" thick insulation left over. Should I line the inside of the tub with that?

Do I need to cover it with something or just leave it uncovered?

I put some coffee grounds in it, but what else can I put in there? If I put it where I'm thinking it will be right under our bedroom window so I don't want to put anything in there that's going to draw pests and rodents.


Thanks guys!!

Mike