Worm Bin & Ticks / Neem

You might have soil mites:

Could be, could be...now how do I get rid of them? It is just creepy to have them cover and crawl up the back of your hand when pulling out some worms to go fishing!

John

I wonder if attaching a flea and tick collar to the inside of the bin would help?

If they are soil mites, I'd rather leave them alone. They keep the compost in balance. Without their help, you might find your worms bailing out of the bin when you add fresh manure. Use a trowel to flip over the surface compost where these things likes to hang out. Nab the worms underneath then wash your hands when you're done. I agree, the little 'pops' from squished mites makes my hair stand, too. Sorry I couldn't offer a better solution.

There have to be millions...I dumped the box yesterday and they are everywhere all the way thru...and they don't squish :>/ which is why I thought they might be ticks. Those mite sites put them only a short step from being ticks - if they are mites...

John

You want to see something really weird, let a larger bug fall in there with those mites. They will swarm over it and cover it while it crawls along. Looks like something from a horror movie.

There might be info here:

wow...thanks!

John