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Ants in my compost

 
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VM



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 1748
Location: Lincolnshire
PostPosted: Sun Apr 28, 13 3:47 pm    Post subject: Ants in my compost Reply with quote
    

Does it matter? And if so, can I do anything about them?

Haven't seen them in the compost before but today found them all over top of it when opened the bin.

Went



Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 6968

PostPosted: Sun Apr 28, 13 4:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I doubt they will be a problem - they could be building a nest which you might want to disturb if it is in the compost - they will move on elsewhere.

Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 13 9:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They put off a lot of other soil life that help break down the compost & a sign the compost is dry.
Turn it & re-wet IMHO.

judith



Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire
PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 13 9:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

What Tavascarow said. They like it dry and crumbly.

oldish chris



Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 4148
Location: Comfortably Wet Southport
PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 13 5:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Tavascarow wrote:
They put off a lot of other soil life that help break down the compost & a sign the compost is dry.
Turn it & re-wet IMHO.
don't forget to consider the nitrogen:carbon ratio. If the lack of decay could be caused by insufficient green stuff, e.g. grass, then you will need extra organic nitrogen.

I could have simply said "Piss on it!", but you may need to explain your actions to partners/neighbours with hygiene fetishes

VM



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 1748
Location: Lincolnshire
PostPosted: Thu May 02, 13 9:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks for all that. It's mainly compost we inherited when we moved into the house. We have been putting kitchen fruit and veg waste on since we arrived December, but there's also quite a lot of dry garden waste. So will check out if too dry.

Looking forward to having chickens again so can add their poop to compost as did at allotment.

And yes, I keep meaning to do the adding wee to compost thing - but probably by some indirect method rather than trying to actually wee on the compost - as it is in those Dalek bins and I am well into middle age and not that fit (and not a bloke!) I think injury to life and limb may be more of a risk than upsetting the neighbours.

Is this too much information??

Went



Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 6968

PostPosted: Thu May 02, 13 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

VM wrote:


Is this too much information??


Yes

VM



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 1748
Location: Lincolnshire
PostPosted: Thu May 02, 13 9:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sorry

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