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My compost bin has gained an ant colony which is expanding fast. I'm very happy to host the ants but are they beneficial or detrimental, long term, to my compost?
No idea. Would have thought they could be beneficial as they’ll be breaking down food and aerating the heap. But then again maybe not if they eat worms.
Yes, I was bothered about the worm situation too sparks, but don't want to go down the ant genocide route unless absolutely necessary.
I think it means the compost might be too dry... which would also mean it will be taking a long time to actually compost anything.
Adding more green waste than brown should help balance out the moisture, or in true Bob Flowerdew style you could always pee on it!!
Thanks funkynick, it is on the dry side. The bin has a lid which I keep closed. I will start leaving it open when it's raining (and wee in it)
The bin has a lid which I keep closed. I will start leaving it open when it’s raining (and wee in it)
Can i suggest that, if you've been leaving it closed when you [attempt to] wee in it up until now that you may need to consider rather more than just the state of your compost?
just googled it, most people seem to think it's a good thing as it'll help break stuff down, apparently if the compost goes really exothermic & heats up loads it'll kill/drive them off anyway.
I have a mate who keeps a bucket next to the compost bin, uses that for a wee then slings it in the compost if he's out in the shed rather than go back into the house. People joke about it but it's really the best thing you can do for the compost!! We also keep chickens and sling their poo in.
I have a mate who keeps a bucket next to the compost bin, uses that for a wee then slings it in the compost if he’s out in the shed rather than go back into the house.
CFH has a pair of slippers expressly for this purpose
Is it OK to put cat crap in the compost too? Our cat craps in the garden soil.
The conventional wisdom is that it's OK for flowers, but not to use any of that compost on veggies. If the compost gets hot enough then it should kill off the harmful pathogens, although that does require getting the composting right. I wouldn't put it in on purpose though! Although, you're not putting soil in the compost bin?