Insects or Mold In My Worm Bin?

The Worm Factory 360 is definitely performing much better than the bins that I had built and killed all my worms with. Though in checking in on them, I've noticed that there are little white dots on the food scraps.

They seems to be insects, but could possibly be mold as well. I tried to take a decent pic of it above and capture it on video, but they are mad small and hard to get into focus.

I assume if it's mold that it's ok since it's old food and that's what it does.My concern is that if it is indeed insects - What kind are they? Will they provide problems for the compost?

Any thoughts?

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• urban
• organic
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• gardening
• worm
• composting
• vermicompost
• factory
• 360

[JoniKCraig]

Hi! I've read that these are called "pot worms" and that they occur when you over-feed your worms or give them too much acidic material. Mine went away when I stopped putting coffee grounds in my bin AND when I started adding a handful of organic garden lime every once in a while (to keep the pH in balance). Good luck!

[CanarsieBK]

@JoniKCraig Thanks for the info!

[grettagrids]

how do I keep fruit flys OUT of my indoor compost bin? they crawl in through the vent holes despite the waste being buried.

[CanarsieBK]

@grettagrids LIkely need to dry it out some.

[tugrot]

small bugs ir what looks like tiny flys are ok the mold is ok to it will help in the brake down of food for the worms your good man

[CanarsieBK]

@tugrot Thanks for the info.

[crazyaboutcompost]

There's definitely nothing wrong with having the critters in there...they have their part to play. In fact, it would be weird if you DIDN'T have those present. They're all part of the process.

[CanarsieBK]

@PCOStherealdeal I shall remember.

[CanarsieBK]

@manicbuyer That's what Imma do.

[PCOStherealdeal]

@CanarsieBK - I like to think that nature made all these little thing's to work together. Mold, micro and visible insect's it's all working together. My compost pile is CRAWLING with little teeny tiny bug's and has pocket's of leaf mold and worm's and grub's you name it! All of it eat's the decaying matter and help's to break it down. And when the bug's and stuff dies they go into the compost too.

Just remember... love your bug's ;).

[manicbuyer]

I'd just keep rocking with it. My worm bins have all kinds of little creatures if I look close and they seem to thrive anyway. I think like the other poster said it's probably just part of the cycle with a worm bin/ breaking down the food-

[CanarsieBK]

@PCOStherealdeal Good point. So used to thinking, "insects are bad." Guess these are some of the beneficial ones that are just part of life.

[CanarsieBK]

@SSanf Thanks. Will do.

[CanarsieBK]

@jihadacadien Looks like I'll have to add some more newspaper and leaves. The worms are still alive, so I guess it can't be too bad.

[PCOStherealdeal]

For the most part insect's are part of the biological cycle that breaks down compost. I wouldn't worry if it's bug's if it's mold... there really isn't much to worry about with mold either as far as I know. If it bother's you to have mold in the worm bin... let it dry out a bit. Moisture is the key. Maybe get a hydrometer to monitor. Shouldn't be pricey def under 25 bucks.

[SSanf]

Check out TheCompostGuy's Channel in YT. He seems to know a lot on the subject.

[SSanf]

Good morning. ...Sorry but I just don't know about this one.

[jihadacadien]

I had those....but way worst when I tried. I think it was too much humidity. Unless is small bugs....mine was fungus....