Ants, Cats, Dogs and Other Varmints

Usually ants are a sign that the compost pile is too dry. If the ants were there first where the compost bin is located, they will move up and colonize the pile. They rarely move in because the “ant welcome” sign is on or simply because it is a compost pile. Their presence is largely coincidental. Perhaps if you looked under the bin you might see that the colony is actually in the soil underneath and as such, they will continue to colonize the pile as long as it sits on top of their home.

You may have to relocate the bin or the ants, whichever comes easier. Ants are not a problem in and of themselves, and only by relocating the queen will they be gone for good. On the practical side, if you worked the pile according to the principles of active hot composting and got things to heat up, those ants would say “uncle” in no time.

Now fire ants are a different story! Everyone who has them hates them. They do not move out of a compost pile like other ants do when it is moist or hot. They seem to appear randomly and infest anything that resembles soil. They are neither attracted to nor repelled by compost piles. Once they are in a pile, they will not leave voluntarily.

Don’t add pesticides to the compost. Not only will it kill beneficial organisms; it probably won’t kill the fire ants. They are extremely resistant. You may wait until nighttime when the ants are inactive to move the compost pile. In all probability, the queen is deep below the pile and will not be moved when it is relocated. You may have some workers transported with the pile, but they will leave when there is no queen to take care of.

Cats and Dogs

Public health officials are legitimately concerned about home composting since mismanaged piles can become festering globules that breed all sorts of vermin, particularly rats. So any product that COULD have a pathogen pathway such as meat or the feces from carnivores is listed as a “no-no”.

Many materials such as meat, feces from meat-eating animal, fats, and paper diapers can legally be composted on a commercial scale only in systems that meet the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for pathogen (disease) destruction. These standards are window temperatures over 55°C (131°F) for a minimum of 15 days and the pile turned at least five times, OR an in-vessel or static aerated pile that meets temperatures over 55°C continuously for a minimum of 72 hours. These specifications are not going to be met by the backyard compost piles.

Since few home composting piles are “managed piles,” they should not be used for disposing of risky materials such as cat litter and dog doo.

The problem with cat feces is not round worms as it is with dogs, but a serious disease called toxoplasmosis caused by a parasite spread by contact with raw meat, or mice which the cat may eat. Any person who handles cat litter improperly or fails to wash their hands after cleaning a cat box can catch this disease. It can even be fatal for children under two and is of serious concern for pregnant women and persons with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The cysts of the toxoplasma protozoa can live in the soil for years and will survive the passive composting process.

Even if the pile was well composted, the compost may be safe to use on gardens, but the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alaska first wants to be sure the compost gets hot enough to kill Toxicara canis, or large roundworms, which is one of the most heat-resistant pathogens found in dog manure.

Here is a checklist published by the Alaska Natural Resources Conservation Service regarding protection from roundworms in dogs.

Practice Prevention

1. In dog and human activities, there is a risk of disease transmission, so always practice prevention.
2. Always wash hands after handling dogs or dog waste.
3. Confine dog waste to a specific area.
4. Keep dog waste, tools/clothing separate from other tools/clothing.
5. Do not feed raw meat or fish to your dog.
6. Use extra care around children.
7. Consult a veterinarian about an appropriate parasite control program for your region.
8. At this time, do not apply compost to crops used directly for human consumption, especially root vegetables or crops eaten raw. (Studies are still ongoing as to whether dog manure compost that has reached 140°F or more can be used safely on vegetable gardens.)