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Produce => Pests & Diseases => Topic started by: AdeTheSpade on November 05, 2011, 08:27:08

Title: Red? ants in chicken manure
Post by: AdeTheSpade on November 05, 2011, 08:27:08

I wonder whether anyone can help me here?  I get chicken manure from a local guy, and he's got some ready for me but apparently it's got 'red ants' in - does anyone know whether I should use this - ie put it in my compost heap - or will they contaminate it?
Thanks for any help!

Title: Re: Red? ants in chicken manure
Post by: OllieC on November 05, 2011, 08:34:32

It wouldn't bother me - I'd just try not to take the nest. Doesn't matter if you take some workers as they'll die. Even if you do take the nest across & the colony manages to survive, red ants aren't the end of the world, although they do sting like hell.

Title: Re: Red? ants in chicken manure
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on November 05, 2011, 18:13:08

Don't worry about them, they'll probably move off even if you do get the whole nest, and they tend to be fairly small anyway.

Title: Re: Red? ants in chicken manure
Post by: AdeTheSpade on November 05, 2011, 19:47:38

Thanks to you both for your helpful replies - I've now put it on the compost heap, and as you say, I'm pretty sure it'll be fine! ;D