I'd say the only thing the cardboard would have to do with it, is it'll be wet, bugs [whatever they actually are] are most likely to be found in a wetter than necessary bin, but there are a wide variety of things that are a normal part of the decomposer community and no cause for concern .... get rid of this batch of bugs, and the eggs they left behind will hatch next week ... worms REALLY like cantalope :)

Bill

Worms really like cardboard too!

I couldn't wait to give my worms cardboard knowing how much they would like it. I did see worms and cocoons in amongst the corrugations. This is why I reluctantly took it all out of the bin, because that's where the mites were located.
Bill, are you saying that the mites aren't a real bad thing to have in the bin; or are you just re-iterating that they will come back in a week, and I have the problem all over again?

I put in egg shells as well, hoping to balance out the Ph if it is "off", thinking the Ph is more mite friendly in current conditions. I would much rather use egg shells than a chemical like calcium carbonate. Should I bite the bullet and use the calcium carb?

Sherry

there are many organisms that are involved in the decomposition of organics, and no worm or compost bin will be free of them - expect the mites, fungus gnats, fruit flies, and many others - none of them harm the worms or detract from the process, just a personal [cosmetic] choice whether you can handle having them present, and once they're present, they'll be reproducing so are hard to eliminate

it's best to NOT try to control pH in composting/worming, the slight acidity initially of wet food waste is preferred by the necessary microbes, and will be pretty much neutralized during the process .... ground eggshell can give the worms some grit, tho' they will usually have enough from normal food waste additions, and eggshell calcium takes a long time to have any effect on pH anyway ... calcium carbonate [or dolomite lime] is properly a mineral, not a chemical, and there's plenty of calcium in many food items

Bill