So I ended up buying a LOT of EWC (earthworm castings) at the end of last year and kept them stored in a cool relatively dry place in black bags. They seem to be "keeping" nicely and are moist when I go to use it. My problem is I think they are contaminated with some kind of soil mites, maybe even two different kinds. On my last round of clones I had a problem with bulb mites....I did a neem drench and took care of them. This round of clones I just found I have another mite problem and I think they are a different kind. I keep a clean area, and never wear outside clothes in the area. The only way I can think of these mites getting in the soil is from the EWC that I get locally. Is this possible? Could mites survive in these bags of EWC for multiple months? I also use blood meal, bone meal, and kelp in my soil, but I am not thinking the mites are coming from them. What do you guys think?
possible contaminated Earthworm Castings
- Thread starter louie
- Start date
Mites (not the same as Red Spider Mites) are a problem with some earthworm bins. Given the amount of nutrition in the EWC bags, it's definitely possible/probable that they would be able to not only live but probably multiply in numbers as well.
You might want to do some looking around the web for 'earthworm bins and mites' and take a look at the discussions and possible solutions.
Best wishes!
CC
You might want to do some looking around the web for 'earthworm bins and mites' and take a look at the discussions and possible solutions.
Best wishes!
CC
mites are not a problem in bins, that is a stupid and popular myth, because they attack old and sick worms. They are decomposers, and they make food for your worms.
These are not the mites that eat plants, and some of them may be mites that eat mites.
keep the mites! More diversity is always more better. Soil free of mites is soil with a problem.
I might be concerned, though, about how finished those castings are. Are they fat white mites?
These are not the mites that eat plants, and some of them may be mites that eat mites.
keep the mites! More diversity is always more better. Soil free of mites is soil with a problem.
I might be concerned, though, about how finished those castings are. Are they fat white mites?
Uh huh...............
I have had soil mites in my mix. It's being recycled 3 times over now with no ill effects and the mites are still happy. They are my pals. Soil mites are predators,they eat bugs smaller or larvae of gnats and root aphids if they can get the weak ones.
I don't have worms in the mix,well maybe a couple but I'm not into keeping worms in a production type organic soil mix set up because I don't want to be responsible for yet another life form in my trip.
EDIT: I have also learned that there are many types of mites,and the diet of each species can vary. Mine are predators based on the activity observed.....which is a hunting/searching behavior.
I don't have worms in the mix,well maybe a couple but I'm not into keeping worms in a production type organic soil mix set up because I don't want to be responsible for yet another life form in my trip.
EDIT: I have also learned that there are many types of mites,and the diet of each species can vary. Mine are predators based on the activity observed.....which is a hunting/searching behavior.
Well when I had them last time, they were definitely bulb mites. I discovered them when some of my clones were dying. I root them very well in rapid rooters and then transplant them to 16 oz cups of soil mix (peat, perlite, EWC, lime, kelp, bone, blood). After about a week of being in the the 16 oz cups is when they started to die and I pulled out the stem out of the soil and saw bulb mites crawling on the base and the stem seemed chewed and rotted away. The same thing happened this round, I found a few dying clones, pulled them out and saw these new mites and I even found a few crawling above the soil by the base of stem. I'm guessing that these are not beneficial? and what do you mean by how finished the castings are? thanx
I've read all that. It's total bullshit. I have more mites than you can shake a stick at. And more worms too. I actually believed it too, and took steps to control them. Until I learned better. Simple integrated pest management would show all these guys that mites do not harm worms. They clean up messes when YOU fuck up.
Again - BULLSHIT!
Was a mixer and a soap product used?
your clones probably rotted and the mites ate them. That is what they are there for. Worry about bulb mites when you grow bulbs. In that case - your only hope will be a diverse food web. Nothing kills these fuckers thanks to overuse of pesticides.
follow IPM guidelines and you will be a better steward of your garden and planet.
btw, I find perlite/vermiculite is better for rooting. Rooting cuts is not natural. Your plant has no defenses and can't communicate with microbes if it has no roots. It is naked and cold in the dark.
no, I use that to properly mix oils with water, because I am smart enough to figure out the obvious things.
And some less obvious things too.
oh you got me! that was bait wasn't it. Prelude to a kiss?
C
CT Guy
A few mites, no big deal, they do exist in a healthy food web. A lot of mites? Well, that usually signifies an imbalance and would be a pain in the ass to live with, especially growing indoors...
Zealious
Member
yea man i keep finding bugs in my composts too.. I guess when you go Organic you need to accept the soil diversity that can apear..
After extensive hunting and a lot of research i found out that my composts are briming with predator mites.. the guys that dont eat plants.. but eat spider mites and other bad bugs.
After extensive hunting and a lot of research i found out that my composts are briming with predator mites.. the guys that dont eat plants.. but eat spider mites and other bad bugs.
Zealious
Member
so is it better to compost in bins out doors or indoors?
my indoor bins start having a over population of mites.
im too scared to use any of my outdoor compost.. i fear infection..
although if a compost is ripe and has had time to ballance then there should be no worries?
am i correct?
and i have been wanting to use baged poultry and mushroom manures from major chains like home depot etc..
are these products safe to use?
poultry compost has always looked apealing to me how much would you add to 1 liter containers..?
my indoor bins start having a over population of mites.
im too scared to use any of my outdoor compost.. i fear infection..
although if a compost is ripe and has had time to ballance then there should be no worries?
am i correct?
and i have been wanting to use baged poultry and mushroom manures from major chains like home depot etc..
are these products safe to use?
poultry compost has always looked apealing to me how much would you add to 1 liter containers..?
Generally mites are not a problem in vermicompost/EWC. If there is an abundance of them, it is a sign that there may be some undigested food left in the product (as Mad said). The only time I had a problem with mites in my worm beds, we overfed with commercial wheat which is used to make glue. It form a hard thick paste on top and the mites (whilte grain mites) exploded. The worms did not seem happy. It took some time by lowering the amount fed and changing inputs and moisture to control the population.
You should not store your castings in plastic bags unless you poke a bunch of small holes in it (whack with wire brush) and stir them up every now and again (also preserve some moisture)
You should not store your castings in plastic bags unless you poke a bunch of small holes in it (whack with wire brush) and stir them up every now and again (also preserve some moisture)
Microbe,
I can tell you about unhappy worms! Around 140 F they get uncomfortable to say the least. lol. The mites don't like it either.
I can tell you about unhappy worms! Around 140 F they get uncomfortable to say the least. lol. The mites don't like it either.
Did you tie the bags shut? If they were open its not so bad but regardless don't sweat it. If it does not stink it's not gonna be so bad. It's not like it will cause a problem, microbes just need air. Just put some pin holes all over the bag and leave it open (as stated, whack it with a wire brush or....to put tiny holes through the plastic)
Sounds like a plan. Yeah I had them tied shut, with a little opening at the top. If I leave the bags open with holes is there a chance that they could dry out? no smells coming from them btw, smell like good ol casting lol
I just sprinkle water on mine occasionally to keep them from drying
Thanks for the info my man!
