Yup. Ants won't eat soggy messy food, so if you've got ants, there's
something dry enough to be intact enough to attract them. Same thing
with whiteflies.

Acidity is generaly a good addition to soil, so if you use a couple
gallons of plain vinegar and then do regular watering, that should
deter the insects, enrich your compost, destroy their living
conditions, and get the compost going again.

Good luck.