Ants in the compost bin

As well as the 2 dalek bins I have 2 normal plastic bins with lids (in the days before the wheelie bins) that I brought home when clearing my parents house - as they had bought them. They have worked well over the years - yesterday I lifted the lid on one and the whole top is covered in ants and hundreds of their eggs. I puffed them with the ant killer - (terrible stuff causing white clouds - didnt even water in without clouding everywhere).

I think they have moved in there because it has been untouched for so long - and is obviously dry. I plan on leaving it a couple of days to let everything die down - then maybe giving it a mix and keep watering - perhaps the (surviving) ants will move somewhere else - (like next door - don't worry I'm not being too mean - one side is flats and the other is a just been cleared after 20 years of being an overgrown blackberry and sycamore tree patch that was full of snails and slugs most of whom have now relocated to my garden)

Will this work ? Will regular stirring up prevent this in the future ?

S

 

They will not do any harm in the compost just watch they don't scurry up the handle of the fork you use to mix it as they can give a nasty nip depending on which species they are. I have them in mine and do so every year. I just mix it and keep it moist.

Rusty

 

Ooh yes - have had that happen before - when I trod on a mound in a bit of long grass - trainers - no socks ouch !

Was looking to mix this compost for some repotting though - didnt fancy putting ants in my plant pots - are they not harmful to the plant ?

S

 

They shouldn't really do any harm, I've got a couple of black plastic dustbins in the greenhouse which contain my home made potting compost.
These bins often get invaded by ants. While this can be a nuisance (especially when potting up), over a period of time the ants actually do an excellent job of thoroughly sifting the compost, breaking it down to a much finer consistency.

 

I find them kind of fascinating. All those tunnels! All that ceaseless energy!

 

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise" - Proverbs 6:6.

Utterly fascinating creatures - humanity in miniature.!

 

Got ants in my bin too now, must turn it every week and its always pretty wet. Great to watch, oh and the spider nests too!