Produce > Edible Plants
Ants nest in compost bin-a dilemma.
George the Pigman:
This morning I decided to have a look at my large compost bin after ignoring it for several weeks to see if we had any compost worth spreading.
What I found was a large ants nest with ants busily running around and carrying eggs etc. There were a few winged ants as well.
This presented me with a problem. Basically the ants are breaking down the stuff in the heap which is what I want to happen. However it make clearing the bin of compost awkward and I don't want to transfer the ants to my beds to set up yet another colony. I popped round to a local DIY store but all the ant killers around use permethrin which would also bump off the beneficial insects as well that help the breakdown process.
Any suggestions,advice or previous experience with this matter.
ancellsfarmer:
The ants will go forth and multiply whatever you do! Flying ants are off to procreate.
Personally, I would simply tip the bin onto a path, give it 24 hours, then proceed as if. Birds may well pick off the 'eggs'. Around here we get terns that flock to get flying ants which they take in the air ,at 0-100 ft
Paulh:
So far as I now, ant colonies have a single queen, so you won't get myriad new colonies by disturbing the heap.
Digeroo:
We are having ant flying days here. All the nests fly on the same day. It only takes two to start a new nest. The starlings and blackbirds here have a field day.
Ants do seem to break things down well. I had a huge one in one bin. I had put a bucket on top and they had filled the bucket with fine soil. I do not think I had a huge ant problem the following year. I have never had a huge ant problem on that plot so far.
Boiling water was the way my grandmother dealt with ants.
taurus:
This is an on going problem I have had for many years. What I now do is lift the compost bin off the heap and just open up the mound a little bit. The birds have a feast and the compost is then usable. I am on very heavy clay. Hope this helps.
My regards to you and all at A4All, Taurus
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