How do I get rid of ants on a compost heap?!?

Question

I know they're not doing any harm to the compost heap, but they are evil red ants and I can't get near it without being covered in biting ants!

Answer 1

burn the buggers

Answer 2

Since you're applying this treatment to a compost heap, I'll assume that you may want to use this to enhance the growth of "some" vegetation in the future (a garden, for example).  If that's the case you'll want to stick with some sort of non-toxic, organic treatment so as not to contaminate the compost heap. More specifically what you're looking for is a process designed specifically to organically deal with red ants known as the "Texas Two Step."  As the name implies, it's a two phase process that is a long term fix to your red ant / fire ant problems.

The first phase is to "broadcast" a non-toxic, organic bait insecticide (example at: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Ant-Control-C... ).  In this phase, you spread the granules around the nest and food source (in a compost heap, probably that whole surrounding area).  The ants will then take the poison back to the nest and introduce it into the general ant population, which will ideally result in the death or infertility of the queen.  This should be done during the periods of high foraging activity (summer / fall time frame).

The second step is called "drenching" and has the purpose of wiping out the ants that were missed during phase one.  You liberally apply a liquid insecticide directly over the nest to finish the job (example solution at: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Ant-Mound-Dre... ).  This application is usually done several weeks to months after phase one.  

As mentioned in a different answer this drenching phase can be done with boiling water, but only after a granular bait insecticide is applied (step 1).  Also to note, the boiling water application generally results in only a 60% kill rate making a true liquid insecticide the preferred method.

Answer 3

Keep disturbing it and they'll get fed up. Or sprinkle ant killer.l

Answer 4

Dig it over and find the nest. Put the kettle on to boil and pour it all over the nest. If it wets the compost heap too much dig in a bit shredded paper.

Also keep turning the compost to avoid getting things like ants and mice, but keep an eye out for hedgehogs, especially in winter.