Red spider mites in worm bin!

[MustangStudFarm]

I almost used the castings for top-dressing. As I scooped into my bin, I noticed that my hand was COVERED with them... My plants are fine but a couple of months have been wasted making the casting!
I realized later that I might be able to make tea with it... Can I use the worms again? I read that the mites will attack the worms... I might make an outdoor bin and start over with my 360.

 

[green_machine_two9er]

wierd??? are you sure they are mites??i would think it would be har to see them on your hand??also what could they possible be reproducing on, as spider mites do typically live or reproduce in the soil, as far as i know.

 

[MustangStudFarm]

It was a combo of too much food and rain. I had mites before for about 18mo, I have an idea of what they look like.. I never would have imagined it myself. They had 8 legs

 

[MustangStudFarm]

I think that my climate is favorable for mites, fleas, and chiggers. Just all the bad stuff.

I have several types of insects in my bin but I didnt think much of it until I noticed the mites. I read an article and brown mites are more common and pose less of a threat.

 

[MustangStudFarm]

I am not going to say that I am 100% sure if they are mites but I was wanting to see if this is a common problem and if I could fix it? Can the worms be reused?
This would be the 3rd time that I would have to buy worms lol... I have had a bumpy road the last 4yrs.. Does it really take that long to be any good or am I just slow?

 

[MustangStudFarm]

At least I didnt top-dress with it, damn. It would have been my luck. I felt accomplished by not having the white dots, I really dont want to chance it.

 

[Zheol]

don't put starch (bread potatoes pasta ect.) in the bin I have read that attracts mites

 

[greasemonkeymann]

I am not going to say that I am 100% sure if they are mites but I was wanting to see if this is a common problem and if I could fix it? Can the worms be reused?
This would be the 3rd time that I would have to buy worms lol... I have had a bumpy road the last 4yrs.. Does it really take that long to be any good or am I just slow?

don't worry about it brother
http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/a-mite-is-a-mite-is-a-mite-not-quite/

 

[hyroot]

They're predatory mites. They're the good mites. They eat organic material like compost that hasn't completely broken down and they eat other peats too. Then die off once their food source is gone.

You just have an abundance of uncomposted material in your bin. That's all. Don't worry be happy

 

[greasemonkeymann]

At least I didnt top-dress with it, damn. It would have been my luck. I felt accomplished by not having the white dots, I really dont want to chance it.

do you bury your food?
I found that burying pretty much gets the wormbin almost bug free.
Sure there are a BUNCH of tiny-ass specks of whatever in there, but the actual visible bugs are totally lessened when you bury them.
I also like to use a huuuge sheet of brown paper to cover the bin with too, I soak it and then cover.
Keeps it all a happy humidity and keep the bugs total in check.
They are harmless though

 

[Chronikool]

They're predatory mites. They're the good mites. They eat organic material like compost that hasn't completely broken down and they eat other peats too. Then die off once their food source is gone.

You just have an abundance of uncompleted material in your bin. That's all. Don't worry be happy

Yip....well written.....there would be something wrong if they werent there in my opinion....

 

[MustangStudFarm]

I have not used pesticide in over a year and I am glad that I finally have good bugs now!!! I have a healthy population of spiders that seem to protect my rooms. I had a wolf spider that looked like a trantula(?). They seem to run away when I come in, so I keep them around and careful when I grab pots.
Thanks for the info and support, because I had a minor freak-out when I thought these were the web spinners!

 

[MjMama]

Not all mites are bad! Look up beneficial soil mites, and predatory mites before you freak out. I have lots of red predatory mites here. Yours sound like they may be soil mites. They are a sign of a healthy organic soil.