Mites are a common creature to be found in a worm bin. Mites, just like worms, help break down organic material into compost. Although mites in your worm bin may seem objectionable they are actually serving a purpose and are not altogether a bad thing. The big problem arises when the population of mites explode. This makes an unwelcome surprise for the worm bin owner when they open the worm farm and find them in large number even though just a few days earlier they were none there. The great news is that they can go away just as quick.

A population explosion of mites simply shows that there is an imbalance in the worm bin. Conditions that are favorable to mites are usually unfavorable to worms. Mites tend to live in conditions where there is too much available food and water in the bin. To get rid of the mites is usually simple a matter of reducing the amount of food and letting the worm bin dry out some. Another very good option is to add lots more bedding material on top of the worm bin without wetting it. After a few days the bedding can be wet a dab, but lean a little on the dry side until the mites are under control. Bedding contains carbon which binds to available protein as it breaks down. The worms can still digest it after this but mites cannot. This is a very simplified explanation of why bedding material is needed.

Another option is to bait the mites and remove them. Watermelon or cantaloupe or similar melon / fruit is place in the bin for a day or two. Many of the mites will go to it. It can then be removed and thrown away or the mites washed off and then use the remaining bit to bait the remaining mites.