[USCC] Fire ants and compost blankets

Fri Oct 13 10:23:00 CDT 2006

Craig,
We have no research concerning fire ants and use of compost or mulch,
but it has been our experience that when mulch is applied around the
base of trees and shrubs, that is where the ant populations will become
more concentrated. We also see fire and colonies infesting composted
materials and feedstocks on our facility, indicating that the
microorganisms in the compost have little affect on the ant populations.
I also assume that the same or similar microbiological populations would
be degrading the mulch as would be present in composts, so I would have
to be skeptical about the claims made by the Texas group.  One positive
note; at least you would be able to concentrate the fire ant control
programs in those areas where compost was applied.  

Dave Schellinger
W. A. Callegari Environmental Center 

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at composter.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at composter.com] On Behalf Of Craig Coker
Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 8:23 AM
To: US Composting Council Compost Discussion List
Subject: [USCC] Fire ants and compost blankets

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Hello colleagues:

A client of mine is considering use of a yard waste compost as an
erosion control blanket on the closed-out portions of a MSW landfill.
They have a fire ant infestation problem at the site and in this
community and I've been asked if the compost blanket would encourage
spread of the fire ant invasion.

A quick lit search on the 'Net suggests that compost tea is useful in
fire ant control (Texas Coop Extension) and that microbes and fungi in
the compost are predatory to fire ants (a commercial gardening web
site).

Does anyone have any real experience with the impact of 2"-4" compost
blankets on fire ants? Will it cause the infestation to spread?  Or are
these info sources correct, that perhaps the leaching of compost
nutrients and microbes/fungi into the soil beneath the blanket will be
inhibitory to fire ants?

Many thanks,

Craig

Craig Coker

Coker Composting & Consulting

3331 Glade Creek Blvd.

Ste. 7

Roanoke, VA  24012

(540) 904-2698

Fax: (540) 904-6732

Cell: (540) 874-5168

craigcoker at cox.net

www.cokercompost.com

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