Allotments 4 All

Hi, A friend has just rung up for some advice, and I thought one of you's might be able to help.  A while ago she spotted an ant's nest in her plastic compost bin, but she just left it. The trouble is the nest is getting bigger and bigger and she is wondering if she should be trying  to get rid of it. If so, does anybody know a non chemical way of disposing of them. Thanks if you can give her some advice I could pass on.  :-* busy_lizzie 

I think this is a fairly common thing. I certainly have them in my bin at home, not sure about the ones up at the plot. Not seen many ants up there at all, though I'm sure there must be some.

Any way, the ones at home seem to be doing a good job of turning the compost into soil, so I shall leave them to it for now, and if need be treat it with Nippon powder or some such before I need to use it.

The only non chemical way I know of getting rid of an ants nest, is to pour boiling water on it. At least that's what my mum used to do when we were kids. Maybe I'll try that if and when necessary?

Probably the compost is a bit on the dry side so wetting it up a bit could help. They won't do any harm though.

Thanks quizzical1 and jjt, for taking the time to answer my question. Much appreciate it!  :-* busy_lizzie

She's lucky I think I've got a wasps nest in one of the ones at home.... mind you that's still better than last year when they decided to nest in the cavity wall of my bedroom!!!

I watered mine, and the ants have moved out.

The trouble is, they've moved into a bag of stones next door.  ::)