There is a great big fire ant bed in my compost pile. Any suggestions?

thanks, Elizabeth

Hi, I think I saw something organic for killing them or making them go away at Gardens Alive site, not sure though 'cause we don't have them here.

Mari, in the Willamette Valley, OR, USA, z.8b

Not sure but, I have heard that Cream of Wheat will kill them. It is safe for the compost pile and when they eat it they swell up and die. But I could be wrong. I have had success with Nutrasweet but I don't know if you want to add that to your compost pile Good luck.

Diatomatous earth works for me every time.

peace

Howard Garrett's (dirtdoctor.com) fire ant killer works for me!

Assume 1 gallon tea recipe:

1 gallon of good compost tea.
1-2 cups of orange oil (liquified whole citrus fruits)
2-3 tblsp of liquid molassses or dry molasses powder

The compost tea supplies beneficial microbes and natural mild pest and disaease resisting powers.

The citrus acid acts as a mild abrasive that kills the ants, by destroying their thorax.

The sugars tend to feed and increase certain beneficial microbes, that grow in the soil, that repels and irritates the ants.

Also gallons of hot boiling water is effective for killing the queens in the mound.

Its organic and its called water. I think you pile is too dry if you have ants?

Nope, pile's not too dry. These south central TX fire ants are tough little critters and will just build their mounds above the wet part.

I turned another raised bed today getting ready to plant in the next week or two and there were MORE ants. I used boiling water on a couple of smaller mounds yesterday. Also went to the local natural gardening guru,John Dromgoole's, Natural Gardener yesterday and he reccommended a product called Diatec V, which is diatamacious earth and pyrethrins powder. Have to be real careful though, cause it's toxic if inhaled or if it touches skin. Used it on the compost pile since the bed is rather large.

Thanks for all the input about the tomatoes. They are looking great.I started hardening them off today. Will begin planting next weekend if the weather cooperates.

Even some of the seeds I saved myself from wonderful tomatoes I bought at a local farmers market sprouted beautifully and are looking great.

I have LOTS of plants, much more than I have room for. If anyone is close to Kyle or Austin,TX and would like a few, let me know. I am happy to share.

They are all heirlooms. If you are interested, e-mail me and I'll let you know what I have.

Peace & happy gardening!

Eliz
byker-nana@austin.rr.com

Thanks Captain!

I already had some of the Diatec V so used it but I am also going to make some of this recipe as it sounds much more beneficial all around.

Peace, Eliz

Personally I welcome any ants to my pile. They are there to perform their decomposition jobs.

My pile has ants that look and act just like fire ants, but when I stick my finger into them as they swarm, they don't sting. Guess they're just looking like fire ants. In any case, they are welcome as long as they are decomposing.