GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

neilson · 24-04-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George.com

"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...

In article ,
"George.com" writes:
|
| ... Borax is also a simple chemical and breaks down fairly
| quickly in the environment (as opposed to complex chemicals that can
| linger).
|
| Er, no. The most basic chemistry should tell you THAT!
|
| Nick, I realise that agreeing with me can be harmful to your reputation
but
| isn't that essentially what you are doing. I am interested as a
learning
| exercise how your (useful and understandable) explaination differs
greatly
| from what I have said. You are saying that borax (sodium borate)
remains in
| environment in that form?

No. I have no idea what happens to it but, as the active ingredient is
an element (boron), it isn't going to break down quickly (or at all) in
any environment that plants or animals will survive in.

The point is that high levels in the diet of insects causes sterility
or death (whichever it is) and that very low levels in the soil are
essential to plant life. Very like copper and iron in that respect.

yes, thanks. I should have said that borax is a simple compound that does
not remain in the environment as a complex chemical or that it is a
naturally occurring chemical/mineral (?). My language wasn't exacting.

rob

Ok, thanks for all your feedback, much appreciated.
I think i'll try and disperse the ants by adding moisture and turning regularly then may be looking out for some of that 'Nippon' stuff you have suggested, if the latter doesn't work.

How much moisture, e.g. half a watering can once a week roughly, or does it depend on the compost volume (think my Darleks about 340 litre), and is pretty much full at the moment.

What if i've positioned my compost bin ontop of an existing ant nest, resite the bin somewhere else?

Would it be a good idea to drill some holes in the bin to create some aeration, also allowing water to penetrate naturally.

I've seen these mixing sticks on certain gardening sites and brochures, could be helpfull with this type of compost bin as doesn't require emptying the contents.
Although I am planning to build the wooden type variety at some stage.

Cheers neilson