On May 18, 10:44=A0am, Des Higgins <dazzhigg...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On May 18, 6:28=A0am, Chrissy <ms_cris...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 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: =A0does it not seem ironic that you are keen on "organic"
> herbs and worried about ants? =A0The 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). =A0Ants are
> common in compost. =A0If the heap stays put for long, they often build
> nests in them. =A0Putting in any killer is likely to kill all manner of
> other insects that help the compost heap to function well. =A0An 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
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