These mites are not giving up...

16 years ago

I started my worm bin a month or two ago, and things were going fine until I most likey overfed them and I started getting mites. It wasn't an infestation at that point, but soon was. I read that it could be too moist and/or overfeeding. So I took the lid off for a few days, trying to help with the moisture and by the time I put it back on one night, most of the food was gone from the bin. Well, the next morning I checked on the bin, and the mites were back. So today is like the third time that I have had the lid off for 3-5 days then back on for one single night to find the mites back. And just for some extra info, I haven't been feeding the bin much at all while the mites have been present, sometimes the top of a strawberry, thats about it. But before the mites I was mainly feeding veggies, fruits, and tea bags.

If anyone has a clue to what is happening or what I may be doing wrong, I would really appreciate the help. Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

PRO
equinoxequinox
16 years ago
The mites are hard at work for you turning foodstuff into great fare for the worms to eat. The worms can not eat the food directly but need sub workers to break it down for them. You have a great crew hard at work getting the food ready for the worms. Soon, if not already, the worms will begin a great feast. Curtisy of the mites preperation.
11otis
16 years ago
Put more shredded newspaper/cardboard on top. If that does not reduce the mite population, at least you won't see them.
Related Professionals
Muskogee Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Corpus Christi Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Buffalo Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Vancouver Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Atlanta Landscape Contractors · Aiken Landscape Contractors · Binghamton Landscape Contractors · Saint Marys Landscape Contractors · Ocala Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Louisville Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Joplin Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Clarksville Stone, Pavers & Concrete · San Marcos Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Niles Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Salinas Stone, Pavers & Concrete
admulcahy
Original Author
16 years ago
The problem for me isn't just that they are there, but the amount of them. when I end up having the lid on, and then taking it off the next day, there end up being a LOT of mites all along the inner sides of the bin and lid and they always seem to be gathering most around the air holes. And after looking into my bin now it seems that most my worms are either dead or missing. Before I started this bin I tried to look into it all to try and get it done right the first try, guess I'll just start over.
roberto487
16 years ago
When I see the little, brown, dotty mites gathering around the air holes or lid, that is when I know I need to take the lid off and let the bin vent for a while. Those mites sure love citrus peels. When I don't see those mites, I get really worried and go into a panic mode.