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What are these eggs in the compost bin? Friend or foe?

MrsGardenMrsGarden Posts: 3,951
in Problem solving

There are loads of them all through the compost. Surrounded by ants. Only one worm! Should I still put it on the beds and containers or is it bad? Thanks.

Posts

  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    It sounds like the ants are nesting there, and the objects are their pupae. The birds will enjoy them.
  • MrsGardenMrsGarden Posts: 3,951
    thanks Alan, I'm in a bit of a tizzy as I've earmarked the job of moving the compost bin (black usual thing) and planting a tree there (liquid amber). I need to do it today as the tree has been dug up (wasnt expecting it to be so easy to get it out and expected to loose it but the root ball is still small). So I guess I need to find a 'spare' patch to treat the ants, eggs and all then plant the tree anyway. 
    Hot soapy water? Ant powder by the truck load ( just had a load of hardcore delivered!)

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    No need to do anything at all.  Just spread the compost.  The birds will eat the pupae and most of the ants will die once their nest (your compost bin) is gone.  You will not 'infect' other parts of your garden with ants by using the compost exactly as it is.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • MrsGardenMrsGarden Posts: 3,951
    thanks Bob. so if ants are ok on the garden thats where i can spread it all, as intended.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    MrsGarden said:
    thanks Bob. so if ants are ok on the garden thats where i can spread it all, as intended.

    Perfectly fine  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • MrsGardenMrsGarden Posts: 3,951
    Thanks Dove for the added reassurance. Decided I'd dump the whole lot under where the hardcore is going (seemed sensible to me as right next to it, meant plants don't get the benefit though). OH saw this and complained (as he does). Had to laught when he said 'it's mulch' - big words indeed for a non gardener!!!
    Anyway liquid amber lane roberts looking happy in her new location. 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Liquid Amber is a lovely tree, Mrs G, I hope you enjoy it, but such a shame to waste precious homemade compost by putting it under hardcore!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • MrsGardenMrsGarden Posts: 3,951
    nollie, the liquid amber is only 2-2 1/2 yrs old so not yet seen it in full glory, but thats what I bought it for. I think it's new location will be better for it too. 
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