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ants

sybillesybille Posts: 76
in Problem solving

I don't want to use ant killers (Poison) but what can I do?

Would  they do any harm if I use the compost in the garden?

Can anybody help please....

Posts

  • martymowermartymower Posts: 113

    cant really understand you (you want rid of ants but dont want to kil them) ?

  • jeffdjeffd Posts: 61

    They can't do any harm, they also help break down the compost.

  • sybillesybille Posts: 76

    That is okay than - but what if I put the compost (with some ants in) on my veg beds?

    Do they start building nests or are they just wandering away?

    I'm still a bit worried.....

  • sybillesybille Posts: 76

    To martymower

    I want to get rid of them but I don't want to use the ant killer in the compost that I put later on my veg beds!!

  • jeffdjeffd Posts: 61

    I have 3 compost bins and have been using them over twenty years and never had problems, they all get ants  nests at some point in the year most just disappear, sometimes when its added to the garden there are ants and ants eggs in the compost but the birds soon sort them out.

  • Andy ThorburnAndy Thorburn Posts: 5

    The presence of ants generally indicates the heap is too dry. try giving it a good mix, and/or add water. 

  • rosie plumrosie plum Posts: 56

    yea andy is perfectly correct...compost is too dry, address this issue and the problem should go away!!

  • sybillesybille Posts: 76

    Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

  • PipstrellePipstrelle Posts: 80
    Also, you can discourage them by turning the heap regularly.
  • wrighttwrightt Posts: 234

    You have ants because the compost is too dry, spray your bin with cold water for an immediate result and try adding more grass, and kitchen scraps to keep the moisture levels high enough so that the ants don't like it.

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