It was probably too high in Nitrogen and moisture. That urine smell is ammonia formed from the N. Your addition of paper should solve the problem. You want to keep your compost mixed and full of shredded paper. The compost should be three parts brown (shredded paper, junk mail) to one part green (kitchen scraps)... and it should only be moist, not wet. Keep mixing in dry shredded paper until you get rid of the smell. The compost doesn't need to be tossed, it just needs a bit of tweaking.

I can only speak from my experience but in the time Ive had a worm bin I havent harvested the castings, I leave them in the bin and only take some out as I need them so there's always been a high percentage of castings in there. Ive never noticed any problems, the worms are happy and healthy and seem to like it down in the castings where it's always nice and moist If the worms were unhappy or trying to leave then I would suspect a problem but it's never happened

No idea. I would return to the nurseries and show them exactly what you are talking about. Normally, if I do not observe them causing damage for several minutes, I then ignore them. Yeah, I know; hee hee hee. not a very scientific approach but oh well..... Like I said before, go back to the nurseries ad show them. If you find out this way, post an update.

Hi Natasha. Great questions. My hope is that it is never bad enough that I need to use Bayer again! The active ingredient in it kills all sorts of beneficial bugs (and bees) too... and I really try my best not to use pesticides. If I only saw 12 or so in a hole I would feel really good about just using predator nematodes. I'm applying predator nematodes in about 2 weeks, then again in about a month. It is warm enough here to apply them now, but I just applied horticultural oil for the first time to some roses and citrus so I want to give that some time since the oil could smother the beneficial nematodes too. Have you gotten any rain in Phoenix? I think the reason why the nematodes didn't work that well in the fall for me is because the ground was just too dry. It needs to be wet in order for them to move around and get the grubs. At least 6 inches down. FINALLY after all the rain we have had it is wet about 6 inches down here now. If you're thinking about nematodes, I would say go for it! Just make sure to apply them when there has been some rain to make it easier on yourself and your water budget (that way you don't have to soak the soil in order to water them in). Good luck!