Safe Compost

[saltnpepper]

Last year there was an ants nest in my compost bin and I got rid of the ants using ant powder. Unfortunately this killed off the worms and the bin is still worm free six months later. Is it safe to use the compost on my garden, or does it now contain harmful chemicals that would kill my plants?

[Whoever]

Yes, your compost should be safe to use. Spread it around as much as possible so that it gets well aerated. In future I wouldn't worry about ants in your compost heap. All kinds of insects make their home there and most of them are pretty harmless in the long run. In any case, it's better not to use anything that destroys worms as they are beneficial to your compost making process.

[saltnpepper]

Many thanks for your reply,Whoever. I'll start again with the compost and this time I'll take better care of the worms!

[MickyTaker]

i use coffee grounds in my compost to keep the ants out, we used a lot and if you have a Starbucks nearby you can go in and get bags of old grounds free of charge. It works for us and makesgood 'post. Doesn't stop mice though...!

[saltnpepper]

Sounds like a good tip! Many thanks - I'll give it a try.

[mtanner]

ants are great in your garden they eat all the nasty things! if ever you want to move an ants nest just disturb it.

empty your compost bin out and they will all scurry off to find somewhere else to live.

if you want to be kind and not kill them put a plastic sheet down with a little sprinkling of soil on it then fold it in half - the disturbed ants will scurry into it to move the eggs into the shade as this is their natural behavior. then all you have to do is scoop them up in the plastic sheet and move them.