Ants in my compost

[Ananke]

Took the lid of the compost bin today and it is infested with ants.

Any advice on how to tackle this would be much appreciated.

[taff]

stir the compost, and wet it. They don't like being disturbed and they don't like it wet.

[Ananke]

Thanks Taff, i'll get on that tomorrow.

[Jeanied]

My dalek was full of ants as well when I lifted it off the core of old compost and moved it. Then I had to put it back again when I saw the baby slow worms!

[Two_Sheds]

The ants aren't doing any harm in the compost heap: if you feel like it, you can chuck their eggs out for the wild birds or your fish if you have any

[alldigging]

Ants usually means it's too dry...
I wouldn't worry about it too much - leave the lid off it's bound to rain persistently at some point today.

[binley100]

I've just taken the lid off my dalek to put stuff in and the ants have made a nest around the rim. Fascinating to watch them scurrying about moving eggs and these big grey cocoon things (not seen them before) working together trying to carry them down the side of the bin ..........Then I swept them away and watered it ..

[Ananke]

I didn't manage to get it done today but i'm glad to hear they won't do any harm.

Binley they are facinating to watch, makes me itch though, even now just talking about them

[Mato]

Ants are very fascinating creatures the way they work together, but I get the itching feeling as well. When I first started composting I had ant problems constantly. Then a friendly neighbor told me to keep the compost wet!