Hi, I have moved home and now have inherited a large garden. There is already a compost next to the veg patch and at the bottom of the tub at an opening there appeared to be an ants nest in it. Can I still use this or should I get rid of it and start again? I have not used any of it so all remains in the large container that its in. I saw this in August and have just left it not knowing what to do. Any advice is welcome, thanks.
Rabbit bedding and droppings/urine are fantastic additions to a compost heap - they really get it working well. Lucky you!
Guinea pig 'manure' is brilliant too - a former colleague used to bring me a bin bag of guinea pig poo to the office every week for my compost heap She used to leave it under my car in hot weather so it was in the shade and didn't get too smelly. It caused alarm once as I worked at a Child Protection office and the security chap thought someone had put a bomb under my car! Fortunately we were able to reassure him and he got used to it being there on a Friday.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have 2 compost bins. As regards weeds, as long as you remove the root ball the heat created will break down most things. I put brambles and dock leaves in mine and never had re-sprouting occur. Potatoe peel and tea bags don't seem to degrade quick enougth for me but I know other gardeners use them. Turning the compost from March on a regular 2 week period and watering when drying out occurs. Make sure all grass cuttings are balanced equal with green waste and mixed in well. I normally get about 6 bags of 50 litre compost bags. Great for mulching around your plants
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I agree with fbones, it's a great compost activator
Hi Moorethemerrier - give the heap a good stir and add any new material you have for it on top. Once disturbed, the ants will move on.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thats great, thanks Fairygirl
Rabbit bedding and droppings/urine are fantastic additions to a compost heap - they really get it working well. Lucky you!
Guinea pig 'manure' is brilliant too - a former colleague used to bring me a bin bag of guinea pig poo to the office every week for my compost heap
She used to leave it under my car in hot weather so it was in the shade and didn't get too smelly. It caused alarm once as I worked at a Child Protection office and the security chap thought someone had put a bomb under my car! Fortunately we were able to reassure him and he got used to it being there on a Friday. 
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have 2 compost bins. As regards weeds, as long as you remove the root ball the heat created will break down most things. I put brambles and dock leaves in mine and never had re-sprouting occur. Potatoe peel and tea bags don't seem to degrade quick enougth for me but I know other gardeners use them. Turning the compost from March on a regular 2 week period and watering when drying out occurs. Make sure all grass cuttings are balanced equal with green waste and mixed in well. I normally get about 6 bags of 50 litre compost bags. Great for mulching around your plants