Compost and Ants

[chuck_n_grace]

Hi,
We've got two large compost bins with mighty fine compost from the past year. The piles are about 3 feet tall. The other day I learned that a large "fire ant" colony has taken over one of the piles.

The only thing I know to do that is inexpensive is to add cinnamon to the pile. This worked over the past year on smaller mounds.

Any thoughts on inexpensive ant remedies that don't involve more money, fire, or lots of water? ;D

Regards,
Chuck

[oldjerry]

Hang on Chuck.... havent you just found a cheap way to feed the fish??

[chuck_n_grace]

Humm!!! Had not thought of that. I suppose I could give that a try. I'll need to flesh 'em out of the pile...I'm thinking laying a sheet of plastic near the mound...disturbing the mound just a bit. That should scatter a few hundred onto the plastic. Then I just need to move it about 70 feet without getting stung hundreds of times. ;D

If I get home from work early tomorrow I can give it a go. I'll experiment with a few ants to see if the goldfish will eat them.

Thanks!

Chuck

[bill1953]

I had a large pond in a previous house. It was edged with crazy paving which provided numerous sights for ant nests. The goldfish were always on the lookout for ants falling in. They would try for the pond skaters too but they were too quick.