The mites will likely not go deep in the bin, nor will much else but the worms. One thing I read was that if you are really upset about non-worm visible lifeforms in the bin you can do one of several things... One (which I prefer) is to put your bins outside where they belong if you don't like living with extra lifeforms and micromanaging a bin that is taking up the most expensive area of your property. Another time proven technique is to ignore your boxed dirtfarm so that less hours of your week are dedicated to worrying about something that is taking care of its self. If plan A and B there don't work... You can take advantage of the fact that worms will dive for cover if you dump extra water in the bin, and all these mites, ants, pillbugs, and whatever else, will surface... Where you will be waiting with a grin and a blowtorch. I've found the blowtorch method to be highly effective at reducing the populations of insects that gravitate to one location. A reduced population of insects will quickly breed back up to swarming strength in the protected shelter of a house though, and since I understand that my ancestors differentiated indoors from outdoors by what one expects to encounter there, I keep my bin in the chicken coop (unheated, Zone 5). Beyond that, the larger your bin, the less things that can possibly go wrong with it. If it's deep, it can't overheat or freeze. If it has high volume, it can hold more worms than can be preyed upon and excess can be taken for whatever you want. If it has much room, the worms can separate into their personal favorite locations and run away or toward hot composting locations. If your bin is large enough, you can't over or underfeed it simply because the worms can express their natural survivability, which they can't do when you keep them in a little test-tube bin indoors.

I've resurrected this thread to show my newest experiment. rjr220, you are right! Read on: fori, your suggestion gave me an idea. I decided to use the 'reject' marble tiles for my prep-sink in our new addition. The ten tiles that I used cost $14.80, the substrate materials cost ap. $30.00. Tile adhesive and grout for both the counter and backsplash will be ap.$32.00. I used mostly scrap tiles for the backsplash, but the tiles that I bought cost $15.00. If you're keeping score, that's almost $92.00 for the counter and backsplash. I'm listing the cost of materials, because this may be a wasted effort--if it doesn't work out, I'll tear it out and start over. If it works, then I'll use the 'good' marble tiles for my kitchen counters, whenever we start the kitchen facelift. In the meantime, I'll have ample time to test my new counter. (But I won't be dropping tomato sauce cans on it.) So far, I LOVE the counter, and my husband, who didn't share my vision of taking highly-polished, second quality tiles, and turning them into something that (I hope) will look like a slab of soapstone or slate on an old chem-lab table, LOVES it, too. I haven't grouted yet, or sanded the epoxy in the edge seams, and the sink and faucet aren't installed. I plan to paint the cabinet GREEN WILLOW (leftover paint), and maybe repaint the beadboard to the right of the counter. It's SUGAR COOKIE to match the window-seat wall, but I'm thinking the HEAVY CREAM on the other wall would look better with the tile. There are a few wonky spots in the backsplash, but I cut most of the mosaic pieces myself--cut some of them in the rain, today :(, so maybe the grout will even things out. I plan to use dark charcoal grout for the counter and backsplash. The backsplash in the kitchen will probably be the light tan tiles, cut in subway, with a black marble 'pencil' accent, and possibly a similar mosaic over the stove. Thanks again for your help and ideas. Sorry for the long post. If anyone is still reading, here's my 'new baby': Here is a link that might be useful: Marble counter, mosaic backsplash

Steph, do your stick consist of manzanita and cholla cactus skeletons? Those things burn nicely with a lot of flavor I think. And Shades, I must really let my DH see the two pictures of the trash stove. I am amazed that they are not better known all across the country. I suppose the kitchen trash they burn, besides the sticks, would be something like cardboard, paper packaging? Nothing like plastics though? And would they also be able to burn egg shells and onion skins and potato peelings? I'm trying to figure how I can justify bringing one into my derelict garage project for winter heat only. And consider a composting toilet if needs be, but not a priority. You ladies are just full of interesting information and exciting options. A chiminea? I had one of those. It was a small one. I put it on my carport at MoccasinLanding. Then I put a half of one of those packaged LOGS, maybe a quarter of one. I had sand in the bottom as it said to do. By the time it was fully burning, flames were leaping out the stack about three feet, and I was worried about catching the carport on fire. I got the water hose and misted it inside the cavity and the flames whirled in a tornadic vortex and really roared at me. Then I began to worry. I got a suitably sized terra cotta flower pot which had one hole in the bottom, and I used it as a hat over the chimney of the chiminea. This restricted the heat and finally got it under control. After it was out, I looked in the bottom of the chiminea and the sand had turned to glass. Not GOOD glass, but it was brittle glass. I forget what my DH said caused this great increase in heat and violence...something about venturi effect? Where if you increase the height of the chimney, it can increase the violence of the fire. I know it was hot, and you do have to keep an eye on those things if you use those synthetic logs.

Sheesh, I forgot to resize the pics. Sorry they're so huge, lol. Rosemarythyme - C'mon over, I'll show ya all the good spots. I'm about an hour north of Toronto in Barrie, ON. The tiles are definitely vintage, it'll be fun to use them in a project. DH and I were talking about the pedestal when we got it and that is EXACTLY what we thought of using it for. Gonna have to see if our umbrella fits. Shrty, lilym, chickee, chris2u - Thanks, I love hunting for new treasures and sharing pics with you guys. I hope no one is getting sick of the pics, because I really like getting everybody's feedback and project ideas. Annie - You can come shopping with me and Rosie and then we'll go back to your place to sell it, lol. I am feeling a little guilty about the yellow rose china, it's not even chipped or very worn. Might have to do a little research before I smash 'em up. Kate and Slow - Thanks, I spent a couple of hours last night sorting the glass pieces by colour. I'm only part way through the first box, lol. It'll be worth it instead of searching through it when I'm in the middle of a project. Plant stand is definitely an option for the pedestal. Hmmm....gonna have to think about what to do with it. Cindy