Ants Nest in my Compost

[Bex]

Hi Charles and all!

I took over my garden in December when I moved in and inherited some compost bins, I’ve been topping up with garden and kitchen waste since. I went to top up our biggest bin with the remains of my Broad-beans and there is a massive black ants nest in there, is this a problem? I’m conscious its a bit green matter heavy and really need to turn it and add more brown I have some on standby but don’t really know how to tackle the ant issue. I’m not keen on spreading ants across the garden as they were doing a grand job husbanding the black fly on my broad beans earlier in the year and don’t need any more!

Should I remove them before turning it and if so how (I’m a bit squeamish!)

Thanks all!

Becky

[charles]

I would turn the heap as is, they will do well to survive that, and then also would need to re-establish after you spread the compost in winter or whenever. I agree ants nests are not a great addition to garden beds, but they are fairly ubiquitous, hard to eradicate, and a good dose of water discourages them.

[Bex]

Thanks Charles, I may need to conscript the husband as he’s less squeamish than me!!

Bex

[Author]

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