We have Mites. Let me tell you about them.
Interesting that the Worm Composting/Vermiculture websites don't really mention the mite component of the composting equation until you go searching deeper in the back pages because you have seen them running around in there all uninvented to the party and stuff.
Turns out "Mite is Right". From what I gather, most mites are actually OK and a very normal/natural part of the composting system... guess they just aren't as cute as the worms; not as nearly as photogenic and much more able to crawl up on your skin and leave you feeling all personally infested.
So unless there are too many mites and they are stealing all the worm's food, they can and should be in there. There are several kinds and I'm not going to mention them all because the information is easy enough to find with The Google.
The one type of mite that seems to be problematic and controversial -the Paris Hilton of mites - is the Red Mite. It may or may not be parasitic on the worms. It likes to get out of the bin, run around your house naked and cause general panic and scandal.
We have 'em (apparently they are very common in the beginning when you are getting the bin established) and though I don't think we have a full-blown infestation yet I've begun taking some measures.
Here's the most common steps I have found for dealing with too-high-levels-of-mites in your worm bin:
- Uncover the worm beds and expose them to sunlight for several hours. Reduce the amount of water and feed. Mites will not like this environment, and they may leave the worm beds.
- Place pieces of watermelon, potato slices or bread on top of the worm beds. Mites are attracted to these materials and will accumulate on them. Within a day, you will be surprised to see the material almost 100% covered with the mites! The peels and bread can then be removed and dropped in water, buried or burned.
- Place moistened newspapers or burlap bags on top of the beds, and remove the bags as mites accumulate on them. Repeat this procedure until mite populations are substantially reduced.
Hi Rhondy and Anda,
ReplyDeleteI have some mites in my vermiculture bin too but they don't seem to cause any trouble. I just harvested some castings so Jen can plant some seeds for her vegetable garden. Things my worms apparently don't eat: Avocado skin, pumpkin seeds, and garlic stems.
My worm population has grown exponentially over winter. That's good because I will decimate their population for fishing in the coming months.
Good luck my fellow worm wrangler!
Mike H.