I've got a nest of ants in my biggest compost pile. It is still working and
hot in the middle when I turned in yesterday. Any suggestions of best way to
get rid of them? Thanks

--
Elaine

A little more moisture, turn when it cools again.

Thank you, we are getting some much needed rain now. It might have been
drying out to much and I need to reduce the size down to 3x3x3 according to
what I just read from researching.

For anyone interested I found a great site on all composting questions while
I was waiting. Got to: www.compostinfo.com

p.s. I also learned I must wait another couple of years for my Buckeye to
bloom :(
They need to be 4 yrs old.
What did we do before the net??
wrote in message
oups.com...
A little more moisture, turn when it cools again.

wrote in message
.. .
I've got a nest of ants in my biggest compost pile. It is still working
and hot in the middle when I turned in yesterday. Any suggestions of best
way to get rid of them? Thanks

You didn't say were you're located, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're
argentine ants.
http://www.pestproducts.com/argentine_ant.htm

They often build nests in loose mulch, top soil, a compost pile is like a
giant suite for them. Turning over the compost pile will encourage them to
search for a nest elsewhere. Or place a fripinol based pesticide, such as
combat ant gel. It is a slow acting poison that is spread from ant to ant
and can easily kill the entire colony.

-S

I'm in GA, not the fire-ants or carpenter I'm sure. Small blackish-red ones
might have been brown. I think my mom called them **** ants (sorry) when I
was little although they may be argentine.

Oh my I just read the link you sent. They must be the worse kind to have
anywhere must less a compost pile. I hope they don't get in my house!

Will this fripinol pesticide damage plants later you think when/if I can
use it? I would sure hate to lose it. It's my last pile for the summer.

I read boiling water might work but when I turned the pile they were
everywhere. I can see myself running back and forth with boiling water
through the house. A pretty site I don't think. It must be a very large
colony but I didn't stay long enough to count them. The whole inside of my
compost was moving. yuck. And I thought fire ants were the worse we had
going.


"Snooze" wrote in message
om...
wrote in message
.. .
I've got a nest of ants in my biggest compost pile. It is still working
and hot in the middle when I turned in yesterday. Any suggestions of best
way to get rid of them? Thanks

You didn't say were you're located, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're
argentine ants.
http://www.pestproducts.com/argentine_ant.htm

They often build nests in loose mulch, top soil, a compost pile is like a
giant suite for them. Turning over the compost pile will encourage them to
search for a nest elsewhere. Or place a fripinol based pesticide, such as
combat ant gel. It is a slow acting poison that is spread from ant to ant
and can easily kill the entire colony.

-S

If anyone else is having this problem I found this answer on
www.plantanswers.com:
Make a solution of diazinon and drench the pile; this will get rid the ants
but not damage the usefulness of the compost. You could also apply a fire
ant bait such as Amdro around the base of the pile and let the ants
come?and?get?it!!!

personally I am going to try both, just hope they don't take up residence
anywhere else!
wrote in message
...
I'm in GA, not the fire-ants or carpenter I'm sure. Small blackish-red
ones might have been brown. I think my mom called them **** ants (sorry)
when I was little although they may be argentine.

Oh my I just read the link you sent. They must be the worse kind to have
anywhere must less a compost pile. I hope they don't get in my house!

Will this fripinol pesticide damage plants later you think when/if I can
use it? I would sure hate to lose it. It's my last pile for the summer.

I read boiling water might work but when I turned the pile they were
everywhere. I can see myself running back and forth with boiling water
through the house. A pretty site I don't think. It must be a very large
colony but I didn't stay long enough to count them. The whole inside of my
compost was moving. yuck. And I thought fire ants were the worse we had
going.


"Snooze" wrote in message
om...
wrote in message
.. .
I've got a nest of ants in my biggest compost pile. It is still working
and hot in the middle when I turned in yesterday. Any suggestions of
best way to get rid of them? Thanks

You didn't say were you're located, but I wouldn't be surprised if
they're argentine ants.
http://www.pestproducts.com/argentine_ant.htm

They often build nests in loose mulch, top soil, a compost pile is like a
giant suite for them. Turning over the compost pile will encourage them
to search for a nest elsewhere. Or place a fripinol based pesticide, such
as combat ant gel. It is a slow acting poison that is spread from ant to
ant and can easily kill the entire colony.

-S

wrote:
I've got a nest of ants in my biggest compost pile. It is still working and
hot in the middle when I turned in yesterday. Any suggestions of best way to
get rid of them? Thanks


In the early spring I sometimes see ants in my compose bin. My solution
is to add fertilizer and more moisture. The fertilizer helps the pile
heat up. The ants are always gone within a week.
--
Bill R. (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)

Gardening Since 1969

To see pictures from my garden visit http://members.iglou.com/brosen

Remove NO_WEEDS_ in e-mail address to reply by e-mail

All the above pesticide advice is useful. I have also used garden lime or
quick lime to get rid of maggots in the compost pile and I would conjecture
that this same lime may well get rid of the ants as well. I am not sure but
would be willing to give it a try. Please let me know what yoyu folks
think. Lime, by the way, is great for your compost and will not hurt the
resulting mix as a soil additive


wrote in message
.. .
I've got a nest of ants in my biggest compost pile. It is still working
and hot in the middle when I turned in yesterday. Any suggestions of best
way to get rid of them? Thanks

--
Elaine

Thank you Mr Nice Guy! Due to my acid soil pH I am already using lime in my
compost. I just started a couple weeks ago and saw them when I turned it,
but I did not realize it was such a big colony or what kind they were. Lime
doesn't seem to have affected them much. Maybe I need to add in some more?
"Nice Guy" wrote in message
...
All the above pesticide advice is useful. I have also used garden lime or
quick lime to get rid of maggots in the compost pile and I would
conjecture that this same lime may well get rid of the ants as well. I am
not sure but would be willing to give it a try. Please let me know what
yoyu folks think. Lime, by the way, is great for your compost and will
not hurt the resulting mix as a soil additive


wrote in message
.. .
I've got a nest of ants in my biggest compost pile. It is still working
and hot in the middle when I turned in yesterday. Any suggestions of best
way to get rid of them? Thanks

--
Elaine

Thanks I will give the fertilizer a try too. We are due for more rain this
weekend so the timing for all this such be about right.

BTW Bill you have a beautiful website of your garden! I enjoyed it.

"Bill R" wrote in message
...
wrote:
I've got a nest of ants in my biggest compost pile. It is still working
and hot in the middle when I turned in yesterday. Any suggestions of best
way to get rid of them? Thanks


In the early spring I sometimes see ants in my compose bin. My solution
is to add fertilizer and more moisture. The fertilizer helps the pile
heat up. The ants are always gone within a week.
--
Bill R. (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)

Gardening Since 1969

To see pictures from my garden visit http://members.iglou.com/brosen

Remove NO_WEEDS_ in e-mail address to reply by e-mail

wrote:
Thanks I will give the fertilizer a try too. We are due for more rain this
weekend so the timing for all this such be about right.

BTW Bill you have a beautiful website of your garden! I enjoyed it.


Thank you Elaine. The garden is a lot of work but, as the pictures
show, it is worth it. I'm putting in the Dahlias this week. I got
several new ones and I'm looking forward to seeing them bloom this summer.
--
Bill R. (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)

Gardening Since 1969

To see pictures from my garden visit http://members.iglou.com/brosen

Remove NO_WEEDS_ in e-mail address to reply by e-mail

wrote in message
...
I'm in GA, not the fire-ants or carpenter I'm sure. Small blackish-red
ones might have been brown. I think my mom called them **** ants (sorry)
when I was little although they may be argentine.

Google seems to suggest that **** ants is slang for sugar ants.
http://pestcontrolsupplies.com/SugarAnts.htm


Oh my I just read the link you sent. They must be the worse kind to have
anywhere must less a compost pile. I hope they don't get in my house!

Out here in california, we often get Argentina ants, they invade the house
when it rains in the winter and their nests get flooded, and in midsummer.
Leave even a small piece of food on the counter or floor and you'll know
right away.


Will this fripinol pesticide damage plants later you think when/if I can
use it? I would sure hate to lose it. It's my last pile for the summer.

Different ants accept different pesticides/baits. Combat Ant Gel is a little
syringe of a sugar and pesticide gel.
You only need to put a few dabs down. If you're concerned, take an old
glazed tile, or maybe a soda can that has been cut in half, and squeeze out
a few dabs in it., put that in the shade near the compost pile. The scout
ants will find it soon enough.

If you can't find it at your local home depot, try this.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQT5IG

Another good pesticide is hydramethylnon


I read boiling water might work but when I turned the pile they were
everywhere. I can see myself running back and forth with boiling water
through the house. A pretty site I don't think. It must be a very large
colony but I didn't stay long enough to count them. The whole inside of my
compost was moving. yuck. And I thought fire ants were the worse we had
going.

I'm not too big on the boiling water method, that requires me to navigate
from the kitchen to the yard with a large pot of scalding hot water...i'm
too clumsy.

Then you have to ask yourself, does it really matter if they're happy in the
compost pile? Live and let live? If it's far enough away from the house, let
them be, they're doing a job that nature intended for them.

-S

"Snooze" wrote in message
om...

wrote in message
...
I'm in GA, not the fire-ants or carpenter I'm sure. Small blackish-red
ones might have been brown. I think my mom called them **** ants (sorry)
when I was little although they may be argentine.

Google seems to suggest that **** ants is slang for sugar ants.
http://pestcontrolsupplies.com/SugarAnts.htm


Oh my I just read the link you sent. They must be the worse kind to have
anywhere must less a compost pile. I hope they don't get in my house!

Out here in california, we often get Argentina ants, they invade the house
when it rains in the winter and their nests get flooded, and in midsummer.
Leave even a small piece of food on the counter or floor and you'll know
right away.


Will this fripinol pesticide damage plants later you think when/if I
can
use it? I would sure hate to lose it. It's my last pile for the summer.

Different ants accept different pesticides/baits. Combat Ant Gel is a
little
syringe of a sugar and pesticide gel.
You only need to put a few dabs down. If you're concerned, take an old
glazed tile, or maybe a soda can that has been cut in half, and squeeze
out
a few dabs in it., put that in the shade near the compost pile. The scout
ants will find it soon enough.

If you can't find it at your local home depot, try this.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQT5IG

Another good pesticide is hydramethylnon


I read boiling water might work but when I turned the pile they were
everywhere. I can see myself running back and forth with boiling water
through the house. A pretty site I don't think. It must be a very large
colony but I didn't stay long enough to count them. The whole inside of
my
compost was moving. yuck. And I thought fire ants were the worse we had
going.

I'm not too big on the boiling water method, that requires me to navigate
from the kitchen to the yard with a large pot of scalding hot water...i'm
too clumsy.

Then you have to ask yourself, does it really matter if they're happy in
the
compost pile? Live and let live? If it's far enough away from the house,
let
them be, they're doing a job that nature intended for them.

in the garden ants are one of a number of anthropods that do an useful tasks
for us. In the house they can be a nuisance (I find anyway) yet outside they
do us some favours we may never realise. I have slaters and millipedes in my
compost from time to time. I don't much like them however they are busy
doing something there so I leave them be. Eventually they move on when
whatever work they are doing is done. According to the info I have
anthropods shred organic material increasing the surface area for bacteria
and fungi to work (they act as organic can openers). Apparently they eat
bacteria with their food and then shit the bacteria out all over the place.
Bacteria can't move that far, anthropods do it for them. Their poo is also
high in nutrients (similar to worms) and they help the porosity of soils.

As a suggestion, do some research on what ants may be doing in the compost
before you kill them. If you find they are of some benefit you may leave
them or you still have the ability to kill them.

rob

OK guys you have convinced me. I respect and love Mother Nature too.

I did not realize ants had similar poop as worms and I know they have a job
to do I guess, other than reproducing (which btw they are apparently quite
good at). So I will not put out chemicals. I don't like them using anyway,
but I will continue adding lime. Hopefully they will find a new resident
soon and it will be in the opposite direction of my house or the nearby
log/bush pile I left for the other critters to use. Birds and chipmunks are
nesting in it right now. :-)

Guess it is time to start another pile. That's fine. Most of spring planting
finished anyway and I have some aged stuff I can use as mulch. Thanks again
for the insight and happy gardening.


"George.com" wrote in message
...

"Snooze" wrote in message
om...

wrote in message
...
I'm in GA, not the fire-ants or carpenter I'm sure. Small blackish-red
ones might have been brown. I think my mom called them **** ants
(sorry)
when I was little although they may be argentine.

Google seems to suggest that **** ants is slang for sugar ants.
http://pestcontrolsupplies.com/SugarAnts.htm


Oh my I just read the link you sent. They must be the worse kind to
have
anywhere must less a compost pile. I hope they don't get in my house!

Out here in california, we often get Argentina ants, they invade the
house
when it rains in the winter and their nests get flooded, and in
midsummer.
Leave even a small piece of food on the counter or floor and you'll know
right away.


Will this fripinol pesticide damage plants later you think when/if I
can
use it? I would sure hate to lose it. It's my last pile for the summer.

Different ants accept different pesticides/baits. Combat Ant Gel is a
little
syringe of a sugar and pesticide gel.
You only need to put a few dabs down. If you're concerned, take an old
glazed tile, or maybe a soda can that has been cut in half, and squeeze
out
a few dabs in it., put that in the shade near the compost pile. The scout
ants will find it soon enough.

If you can't find it at your local home depot, try this.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQT5IG

Another good pesticide is hydramethylnon


I read boiling water might work but when I turned the pile they were
everywhere. I can see myself running back and forth with boiling water
through the house. A pretty site I don't think. It must be a very large
colony but I didn't stay long enough to count them. The whole inside of
my
compost was moving. yuck. And I thought fire ants were the worse we had
going.

I'm not too big on the boiling water method, that requires me to navigate
from the kitchen to the yard with a large pot of scalding hot water...i'm
too clumsy.

Then you have to ask yourself, does it really matter if they're happy in
the
compost pile? Live and let live? If it's far enough away from the house,
let
them be, they're doing a job that nature intended for them.

in the garden ants are one of a number of anthropods that do an useful
tasks
for us. In the house they can be a nuisance (I find anyway) yet outside
they
do us some favours we may never realise. I have slaters and millipedes in
my
compost from time to time. I don't much like them however they are busy
doing something there so I leave them be. Eventually they move on when
whatever work they are doing is done. According to the info I have
anthropods shred organic material increasing the surface area for bacteria
and fungi to work (they act as organic can openers). Apparently they eat
bacteria with their food and then shit the bacteria out all over the
place.
Bacteria can't move that far, anthropods do it for them. Their poo is also
high in nutrients (similar to worms) and they help the porosity of soils.

As a suggestion, do some research on what ants may be doing in the compost
before you kill them. If you find they are of some benefit you may leave
them or you still have the ability to kill them.

rob

I pour common household bleach on them if I can't fry them with my
magnifying glass.


wrote in message
.. .
I've got a nest of ants in my biggest compost pile. It is still working
and hot in the middle when I turned in yesterday. Any suggestions of best
way to get rid of them? Thanks

--
Elaine