I'd love to help, but I'm in Aust.

As for the bucket of organic matter, if it was actually your worm bin, then maybe, just maybe, some cocoons may have hatched in there?

If this was the case, then have a careful sort through. You might get lucky.

Cheers

What does the stuff in the bucket look like? If it is dark and crumbly, and smells like rich soil, I'd use it. If it still looks like an overfed bin and smells like sewerage or ammonia, I wouldn't.

Okay, I have to clarify something. When I said "bucket", I meant the worm bin. Also, the stuff smells TERRIBLE! I can't wait to retry this project the RIGHT way. If anyone can help me please let me know.

If it smells terrible, toss it out and start over. It is probably full of volatile organic compounds, which are toxic to worms.

They have vericomposting at the new Pacific Garden Missions facility in Chicago. They might sell you some worms. They do sell a bin with worms so maybe they'll sell you the worms. I was there last week and bought some compost.

Go to www.vermicomposters.com and check your area. I'm on there and probably not to far for you.

It sounds to me that you have suffocated them rather than overfeeding. I would skreen the soil to find a few that may be alive and start again with more air holes for ventilation.

I am also in the Chicago area...where did you end up getting worms?

Karen

Composting worms are available at:
http://www.findworms.com/
http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormsupl79.html
http://vermicomposters.ning.com/forum/topics/worm-suppliers
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/vermiculture/resource.html

thanks steamyb