Ants in Homemade Compost

[JustLizzie]

It's taken time but I've some very nice crumbly home made compost ready to use. However every time I get a handful out and get ready to use it ants appear as if by magic and I wonder if it's still ok to use?

[shylock73]

Yes it`s still ok.

[jojojojoanne]

just googled most ants live in soil, although some live in wood.

[gt43]

Fine to use but I would water the compost more to discourage the ants.

[Jugglering]

I thought ants were, like worms, *a good thing* to have in one's garden..... They eat dead insects, and the eggs/larvae of fleas, flies and other critters etc and and also aerate the soil. They also help spread vegetation and seeds and sometimes pollinate plants. I know most people are not fond of them getting into one's house, but they are very good at smelling out scraps of foods left lying around (and letting their mates back at the Hill know all about the free food on offer!)

[gt43]

You don't, ideally, want them in your plant pots as they can excavate the soil to such an extent that the plants die. Other than that, they're harmless. Compost is fine to use, just spread it on some newspaper to let the ants run out before using it.