[USCC] Fire ants and compost blankets

Fri Oct 13 11:47:55 CDT 2006

I remember reading a claim, in some long-forgotten article at some
unremembered time, that BIOSOLIDS compost had a repelling effect on fire
ants.  It was anecdotal information I am sure. We discourage people from
considering all compost to have the same qualities and effects on soils
and plants. Maybe we should think that the same holds true for the
effect of compost on fire ants as well. Perhaps, biosolids compost has
one effect, green waste compost another, dairy manure composts yet
another. -- Bob Rynk 

Robert Rynk
SUNY, Cobleskill
122 Curtis-Mott Hall
Cobleskill, NY  12043

518-255-5691
rynkrf at cobleskill.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at composter.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at composter.com] On Behalf Of Matthew Cotton
Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 12:04 PM
To: US Composting Council Compost Discussion List
Subject: Re: [USCC] Fire ants and compost blankets

U.S. COMPOSTING COUNCIL 15th ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOW Wyndham
Orlando Resort | Orlando, FL | January 21-24, 2007 The National forum
for those involved in the development and expansion of the composting
and organics recycling industry CONFERENCE PROGRAM, REGISTRATION FORMS,
WORKSHOP AGENDAS, EXHIBITOR INFORMATION AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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USCC AT 631-737-4931 

Craig -

I did a quick search on the California Department of Food and
Agriculture web site
(http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pdep/rifa/html/english/facts/
biology_environment.html) which has an extensive site devoted to Red
Imported Fire Ant (and some scary pictures) and while there is nothing
directly related to compost blankets, the little bit that is there:

"Compost Piles, Mulched Flower Beds, Pavement Cracks, etc.
Red Imported Fire Ants invade compost piles and mulched flower beds
seeking warmth and moisture. "

Would seem to support David's comments.

Matthew Cotton
Integrated Waste Management Consulting, LLC
19375 Lake City Road
Nevada City, CA  95959
(530) 265-4560
Fax (530) 265-4547
mattcotton at mindspring.com

On Oct 13, 2006, at 6:22 AM, Craig Coker wrote:

> U.S. COMPOSTING COUNCIL 15th ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOW Wyndham 
> Orlando Resort | Orlando, FL | January 21-24, 2007 The National forum 
> for those involved in the development and expansion of the composting 
> and organics recycling industry CONFERENCE PROGRAM, REGISTRATION 
> FORMS, WORKSHOP AGENDAS, EXHIBITOR INFORMATION AND SPONSORSHIP 
> OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE USCC WEBSITE: 
> www.compostingcouncil.org OR CALL THE USCC AT
> 631-737-4931
>
>
> 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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This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council.

_______________________________________________

Ongoing Sponsors of the USCC Discussion list are:

Food Industry Environmental Network (FIEN), a regulatory and policy
e-mail alert service for environmental, food and agricultural industry
professionals.
Contact Jack Cooper 301/384-8287 JLC at fien.com --- www.fien.com

Renewable Carbon Management, LLC with the containerized, in-vessel
NaturTech Composting System www.composter.com rcm at composter.com

(c) Copyright 2006 United States  - All rights reserved

Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses will have
their posting privelages suspended.  No exceptions!

Opinions expressed represent only the poster and are not necessarily the
opinion or policy of any organization.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through our
website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm     For
discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing,
unsubscribing, digest or other options, go
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For additional help in unsubscribing or to report bugs and problems,
send a message to the List Manager, Jim McNelly, at
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