Compost and Animals

Although compost piles are natural objects, it’s important to monitor the presence of animals in or near them. In addition to animals you’ll find in the yard, such as ants, the presence of remains from your pets can attract rats and other vermin.

Ants

Usually ants are a sign that the compost pile is too dry. If the ants were there first, 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. If you look under the bin, you may see that the colony is actually in the soil underneath, and 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 is easier. Ants are not a problem themselves, and only by relocating the queen will they be gone for good. On the practical side, if you work the pile according to the principles of active hot composting, those ants will migrate in no time.

However, fire ants are a different story because they will not move out of a compost pile 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. It will kill beneficial organisms, but it won’t kill the fire ants. They are extremely resistant. 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.

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. Because of this, any product that could have a pathogen pathway is listed as a “no-no.”

Many materials, such as meat, feces from meat-eating animal, fats and paper diapers, can only be composted on a commercial scale in systems that meet the U.S. EPA standards for pathogen destruction.

These standards are window temperatures more than 131 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 15 days and the pile turned at least five times. Alternately, an in-vessel or static-aerated pile that meets temperatures warmer than 131 degrees Fahrenheit continuously for a minimum of 72 hours will work as well. Backyard compost piles will not meet these requirements.

The problem with cat feces is a serious disease called “toxoplasmosis,” caused by a parasite spread by contact with raw meat or mice. Any person handling cat litter improperly or failing to wash their hands after cleaning a cat box can catch this disease.

It can 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.