compost
 

I have discovered there are ants in my compost bin which surprised me
because I thought the temperature would get too high. I have a massive
compost heap at the bottom of the garden but this is just one of those
plastic bin things.
I've also been informed that someone put any killer powder in there a
few months ago. So, 2 questions I'd love answers to, why are there
ants, I've never had a compost before where I could see 'creepy
crawlies' in it & secondly, is the compost safe to put on my herb
garden, since it's had poison in it.

I've been trying to grow organic herbs but feel this ant-killer powder
has compromised that.

I'd be grateful fo rany help with this,
Chrissy

compost
 

On May 18, 6:28*am, Chrissy wrote:
I have discovered there are ants in my compost bin which surprised me
because I thought the temperature would get too high. I have a massive
compost heap at the bottom of the garden but this is just one of those
plastic bin things.
I've also been informed that someone put any killer powder in there a
few months ago. So, 2 questions I'd love answers to, why are there
ants, I've never had a compost before where I could see 'creepy
crawlies' in it & secondly, is the compost safe to put on my herb
garden, since it's had poison in it.

I've been trying to grow organic herbs but feel this ant-killer powder
has compromised that.

I'd be grateful fo rany help with this,
Chrissy


Hi Chrissy: does it not seem ironic that you are keen on "organic"
herbs and worried about ants? The ants are harmless but the antkiller
will technicaly make yer organic herbs not organic if you use it.
Just dump the current compost somewhere harmless (use it as a mulch or
dig it in where you do not mind if it is organic or not). Ants are
common in compost. If the heap stays put for long, they often build
nests in them. Putting in any killer is likely to kill all manner of
other insects that help the compost heap to function well. An active
compost heap will have tons of creepy crawlies (worms are the most
useful).

Des

compost
 

On May 18, 10:44*am, Des Higgins wrote:
On May 18, 6:28*am, Chrissy wrote:

I have discovered there are ants in my compost bin which surprised me
because I thought the temperature would get too high. I have a massive
compost heap at the bottom of the garden but this is just one of those
plastic bin things.
I've also been informed that someone put any killer powder in there a
few months ago. So, 2 questions I'd love answers to, why are there
ants, I've never had a compost before where I could see 'creepy
crawlies' in it & secondly, is the compost safe to put on my herb
garden, since it's had poison in it.

I've been trying to grow organic herbs but feel this ant-killer powder
has compromised that.

I'd be grateful fo rany help with this,
Chrissy

Hi Chrissy: *does it not seem ironic that you are keen on "organic"
herbs and worried about ants? *The ants are harmless but the antkiller
will technicaly make yer organic herbs not organic if you use it.
Just dump the current compost somewhere harmless (use it as a mulch or
dig it in where you do not mind if it is organic or not). *Ants are
common in compost. *If the heap stays put for long, they often build
nests in them. *Putting in any killer is likely to kill all manner of
other insects that help the compost heap to function well. *An active
compost heap will have tons of creepy crawlies (worms are the most
useful).

Des

I wasn't worried about the ants as such, I have a corner of my garden
left pretty much for wildlife, I love most creatures (not mosquitoes
or bluebottles) & am a vegan so wouldn't use poisons anyway; it was
someone I have in to help me, that obviously thought it was a good
idea. I was concerned that, if they were in the compost, the compost
heap was maybe not working properly, thanks for reassuring me about
this.

I'll use this compost around my roses & other flowers but not near any
edibles; I don't know what type of ant killer was used but imagine
that the active ingredient might break down anyway & that even if it
didn't, the plants wouldn't take it up?
Thanks again for a really useful reply.
Chrissy

compost
 

Chrissy writes:

I have discovered there are ants in my compost bin which surprised me
because I thought the temperature would get too high. I have a massive
compost heap at the bottom of the garden but this is just one of those
plastic bin things.

It might be too dry, the contents should be about as soggy as a
recently squeezed sponge. Ants tend to favour it being warm though not
hot, try giving the heap a bucket of water and a good stir.

Anthony

compost
 

On May 18, 12:55*pm, wrote:
Chrissy writes:
I have discovered there are ants in my compost bin which surprised me
because I thought the temperature would get too high. I have a massive
compost heap at the bottom of the garden but this is just one of those
plastic bin things.

It might be too dry, the contents should be about as soggy as a
recently squeezed sponge. Ants tend to favour it being warm though not
hot, try giving the heap a bucket of water and a good stir.

* * * * * * Anthony

Thank you,
I'll do that and leave it for another couple of weeks & then put it on
my flowers.
Chrissy

compost
 

On May 18, 11:39 am, Chrissy wrote:
On May 18, 10:44 am, Des Higgins wrote:



On May 18, 6:28 am, Chrissy wrote:

I have discovered there are ants in my compost bin which surprised me
because I thought the temperature would get too high. I have a massive
compost heap at the bottom of the garden but this is just one of those
plastic bin things.
I've also been informed that someone put any killer powder in there a
few months ago. So, 2 questions I'd love answers to, why are there
ants, I've never had a compost before where I could see 'creepy
crawlies' in it & secondly, is the compost safe to put on my herb
garden, since it's had poison in it.

I've been trying to grow organic herbs but feel this ant-killer powder
has compromised that.

I'd be grateful fo rany help with this,
Chrissy

Hi Chrissy: does it not seem ironic that you are keen on "organic"
herbs and worried about ants? The ants are harmless but the antkiller
will technicaly make yer organic herbs not organic if you use it.
Just dump the current compost somewhere harmless (use it as a mulch or
dig it in where you do not mind if it is organic or not). Ants are
common in compost. If the heap stays put for long, they often build
nests in them. Putting in any killer is likely to kill all manner of
other insects that help the compost heap to function well. An active
compost heap will have tons of creepy crawlies (worms are the most
useful).

Des

I wasn't worried about the ants as such, I have a corner of my garden
left pretty much for wildlife, I love most creatures (not mosquitoes
or bluebottles) & am a vegan so wouldn't use poisons anyway; it was
someone I have in to help me, that obviously thought it was a good
idea. I was concerned that, if they were in the compost, the compost
heap was maybe not working properly, thanks for reassuring me about
this.

Sorry for sounding cross; some people get freaked out by
invertebrates.
Good luck with the herbs; Anthony is right about ants liking dry
compost heaps;
they do not go for soggy ones.


I'll use this compost around my roses & other flowers but not near any
edibles; I don't know what type of ant killer was used but imagine
that the active ingredient might break down anyway & that even if it
didn't, the plants wouldn't take it up?
Thanks again for a really useful reply.
Chrissy

compost
 

On May 19, 11:38*am, Des Higgins wrote:
On May 18, 11:39 wrote:



On May 18, 10:44 am, Des Higgins wrote:

On May 18, 6:28 wrote:

I have discovered there are ants in my compost bin which surprised me
because I thought the temperature would get too high. I have a massive
compost heap at the bottom of the garden but this is just one of those
plastic bin things.
I've also been informed that someone put any killer powder in there a
few months ago. So, 2 questions I'd love answers to, why are there
ants, I've never had a compost before where I could see 'creepy
crawlies' in it & secondly, is the compost safe to put on my herb
garden, since it's had poison in it.

I've been trying to grow organic herbs but feel this ant-killer powder
has compromised that.

I'd be grateful fo rany help with this,
Chrissy

HiChrissy: *does it not seem ironic that you are keen on "organic"
herbs and worried about ants? *The ants are harmless but the antkiller
will technicaly make yer organic herbs not organic if you use it.
Just dump the current compost somewhere harmless (use it as a mulch or
dig it in where you do not mind if it is organic or not). *Ants are
common in compost. *If the heap stays put for long, they often build
nests in them. *Putting in any killer is likely to kill all manner of
other insects that help the compost heap to function well. *An active
compost heap will have tons of creepy crawlies (worms are the most
useful).

Des

I wasn't worried about the ants as such, I have a corner of my garden
left pretty much for wildlife, I love most creatures (not mosquitoes
or bluebottles) & am a vegan so wouldn't use poisons anyway; it was
someone I have in to help me, that obviously thought it was a good
idea. I was concerned that, if they were in the compost, the compost
heap was maybe not working properly, thanks for reassuring me about
this.

Sorry for sounding cross; some people get freaked out by
invertebrates.
Good luck with the herbs; Anthony is right about ants liking dry
compost heaps;
they do not go for soggy ones.



I'll use this compost around my roses & other flowers but not near any
edibles; I don't know what type of ant killer was used but imagine
that the active ingredient might break down anyway & that even if it
didn't, the plants wouldn't take it up?
Thanks again for a really useful reply.
Chrissy

Hi Des

I couldn't understand your post, so read your original reply to me
again & still couldn't detect any sign that you were 'cross' - I don't
take offense easily anyway but really I just found your post helpful.

Thanks for confirming about the wet compost - I have a rain barrel
next to it, so that was easily done.
Chrissy

compost
 

Chrissy wrote:

I have discovered there are ants in my compost bin which surprised me
because I thought the temperature would get too high.

Ants are *everywhere* outside. If it's heating well and turned
regularly, they probably won't move in, but you're not going to stop
them foraging.

I have a massive compost heap at the bottom of the garden but this is just
one of those plastic bin things.
I've also been informed that someone put any killer powder in there a
few months ago. So, 2 questions I'd love answers to, why are there
ants, I've never had a compost before where I could see 'creepy
crawlies' in it

What, not even worms? In a 'massive heap at the bottom of the garden'
that astonishes me. Next time you're turning it, stop and look
closely...

& secondly, is the compost safe to put on my herb
garden, since it's had poison in it.

I'd be reassured that the ants have moved back in despite the poison,
but if you're worried, use it as mulch round the non-edible bits of your
garden.

I've been trying to grow organic herbs but feel this ant-killer powder
has compromised that.

Well yes, but your garden, your rules. It's not like you're going to
get inspected and certified organic.

Peter

compost
 

On May 20, 11:28*pm, (Peter Robinson) wrote:
wrote:
I have discovered there are ants in my compost bin which surprised me
because I thought the temperature would get too high.

Ants are *everywhere* outside. *If it's heating well and turned
regularly, they probably won't move in, but you're not going to stop
them foraging.

I don't mind that - only that ant powder was put in & also, as I said,
that my compost bin wasn't working right.

I have a massive compost heap at the bottom of the garden but this is just
one of those plastic bin things.
I've also been informed that someone put any killer powder in there a
few months ago. So, 2 questions I'd love answers to, why are there
ants, I've never had a compost before where I could see 'creepy
crawlies' in it

What, not even worms? *In a 'massive heap at the bottom of the garden'
that astonishes me. *Next time you're turning it, stop and look
closely...

I'm semi-retired now & have time to work on the garden & also less
money to spend on a gardener; I've never really done the garden myself
before, I've been learning in the last couple of years, to plant stuff
& I enjoy mowing the lawns & even weeding can be fun; I still have
occasional help since it is a decent sized garden & I've not been well
but I'm trying to become self-sufficient. So, I've never actually had
to touch the compost heap - dare I admit that I didn't know it needs
'turning' & it's in the corner of the wild area where I rarely
venture, so I'll go and pay it a visit.

& secondly, is the compost safe to put on my herb
garden, since it's had poison in it.

I'd be reassured that the ants have moved back in despite the poison,
but if you're worried, use it as mulch round the non-edible bits of your
garden.

I've been trying to grow organic herbs but feel this ant-killer powder
has compromised that.

Well yes, but your garden, your rules. *It's not like you're going to
get inspected and certified organic.

Peter
True, but I'm so pedantic, I've been wanting to have an organic herb
garden for years - rather than just pots on my kitchen windowsill and
since I'm going to be cooking with these plants I'd rather like them
to be as toxic-free as possible.

Thanks for your comments
Chrissy