i find a increase of mites in my bins when i either feed to much or its too humid in ther.
Mites/critters in compost and worm bins are pretty normal, its when ther population gets to big, then your doing something wrong. i personally dont care for a bin with more mites then worms but thats me, i aim for a worm bin not a mite bin
i find that if mites get too high in numbers, then its best to stop feeding and let the bin air out some and or add more news paper or bedding. IME mites prefer humid conditions, so i open my bin and let it sit under the sun for a few days. this allows the top 2-3 inches of casting/bedding/food to dry out some and thats were i find most mites to be, it doesnt kill them all but defiantly lowers ther numbers and the worm bin looks more like a worm bin.
i also recommend you cure or let you finish product sit for a few days before using. like MM mentioned your casting needs oxygen if you want the aerobic microbes to live. when properly cured, it cause the mites and other critters to die off, leaving ther carcasses to feed the beneficial soil microbes witch imo betters the end product of mostly just pure great casting.
ther are plenty of vermicompost guides that explain composting mites in high numbers is usually caused by the bin being to humid.
http://www.greencalgary.org/images/uploads/File/Vermicomposting.pdf
HTH
Mites/critters in compost and worm bins are pretty normal, its when ther population gets to big, then your doing something wrong. i personally dont care for a bin with more mites then worms but thats me, i aim for a worm bin not a mite bin
i find that if mites get too high in numbers, then its best to stop feeding and let the bin air out some and or add more news paper or bedding. IME mites prefer humid conditions, so i open my bin and let it sit under the sun for a few days. this allows the top 2-3 inches of casting/bedding/food to dry out some and thats were i find most mites to be, it doesnt kill them all but defiantly lowers ther numbers and the worm bin looks more like a worm bin.
i also recommend you cure or let you finish product sit for a few days before using. like MM mentioned your casting needs oxygen if you want the aerobic microbes to live. when properly cured, it cause the mites and other critters to die off, leaving ther carcasses to feed the beneficial soil microbes witch imo betters the end product of mostly just pure great casting.
ther are plenty of vermicompost guides that explain composting mites in high numbers is usually caused by the bin being to humid.
http://www.greencalgary.org/images/uploads/File/Vermicomposting.pdf
HTH