How To Protect Earthworms From Ants
The average person may not find earthworms or ants cute, but there’s no denying that one is better than the other for a garden. Earthworms can benefit your lawn, garden, and compost bin more than any other organism. Unfortunately, ants often target earthworms and red wigglers, which can negatively impact your garden and compost pile.
The best way to protect earthworms from ants is to spread diatomaceous earth in the area to kill ants and other pests. You can also target nearby ant hills and pour boiling water on them to kill and displace invasive ants. Eradicate the aphids in your yard, as they produce honeydew residue, which attracts ants.
You can also spread used coffee grounds throughout your compost and garden to protect earthworms from ants. Ants hate coffee grounds, but worms love them for the nutrients they provide. Follow along as we explore how to protect earthworms from ants.
Do Ants Kill Earthworms?
Red ants and fire ants often kill earthworms in the wild and even in compost bins. Unfortunately, these ants are quite prominent throughout the United States, especially in the South and on the West Coast. Imported red fire ants are invasive and can disrupt the food chain in certain ecosystems.
Worms are essential, beneficial invertebrates, so you should worry about fire ants killing them. This is true whether you find fire ants on your lawn, in your flower beds, or in your compost bin. They won’t immediately show up and kill all the earthworms, but they can quickly impact the population. For example, earthworms won’t work as efficiently when they’re aware of a fire ant infestation. Fire ants can also disrupt the earthworms’ breeding habits during an infestation. As a gardener or composter, you must act fast to protect earthworms from ants.
How To Keep Ants Out Of Your Compost And Garden
Whether you have fire ants, odorous house ants, or carpenter ants, you’re probably not thrilled about them. Some ants are beneficial in many ways, but not when they target the earthworms in your garden and compost. That’s especially true when you find fire ants and other aggressive varieties. Deterring ants is just as much about supporting beneficial organisms as it is about keeping your yard thriving. You can keep ants out of your compost and garden using several easy methods.
1. Apply Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is the best pesticide alternative available today. Instead of contsining harmful chemicals, it's comprised of the fossilized remains of diatoms, tiny unicellular algae with skeletons made of sharp silica. As a powder, diatomaceous earth cuts and dehydrates any insects that walk over it. That includes ants, which you can kill by scattering diatomaceous earth in areas where they are most prominent.
The key is to keep the diatomaceous earth away from earthworms and beneficial insects. For example, you can spread the powder along the perimeter of your compost bin. That way, fire ants entering your compost bin or pile will die before they reach the organic materials. Be careful not to put diatomaceous earth directly in your garden beds or compost bin. Otherwise, you may kill beneficial organisms.
2. Line The Bin With Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly isn’t an insecticide, but you can use it to protect earthworms from ants. That’s especially true in compost bins, which ants climb while searching for food. The key is to spread a thick layer of petroleum jelly along the top edges of a compost bin. The ants will get stuck when they try to climb the walls and into the bin.
This won't work with compost piles or most soil beds, since there is no structure supports them, however, you can use the petroleum jelly trick on raised garden beds made of wood or metal. Petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, is thick enough to stop ants in their tracks. It won’t kill them on contact, but the ants will get stuck and suffocate in the thick mess.
3. Introduce More Moisture
You won’t find nearly as many ants in your compost bin or garden if you keep it moist. An overly dry compost bin will not only attract ants, but also dehydrate the earthworms.  A lack of moisture can also slow the decomposition process, and too much moisture can make the pile smell foul. Ideally, compost should feel like a wrung-out sponge when you grab it. The best way to achieve that texture is to maintain 40% to 60% moisture by weight.
There isn’t an exact science, because the type of materials you add and the sunlight can dry your pile out. The key is to manually check the compost throughout the week to ensure it isn’t too dry. Proper moisture will deter ants and stop them from breeding, while at the same time, attract more worms, and keep them healthy.Â
4. Deter Aphids And Scale Insects
Aphids and scale insects are among the most nasty garden pests. They damage your plants and can also attract ants. That’s because they leave a sugary honeydew residue behind on the leaves, which ants love. The sugary scent will attract ants, which may then colonize and prey upon nearby earthworms. This will create a vicious cycle, so address the aphids and scale insects as soon as possible.
The best way to kill aphids is to blast them with water and manually remove any that remain. Otherwise, you can spray the infested plants with neem oil or insecticidal soap to kill them. You’re better off manually removing scale insects by poking them with Q-tips soaked in rubbing alcohol. This will loosen their grip, and then you can pick them off the plants.
5. Use Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds can benefit your garden and your compost bin, but ants hate them. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are essential nutrients found in coffee grounds and can help expedite the composting process and allow your garden thrive. While ants hate coffee grounds, earthworms and red wigglers love them for the nutrients they provide.
Scatter used coffee grounds in your garden and compost bin to support worms and deter ants. Don’t use fresh coffee grounds, as they’re too acidic and may increase the temperature in your compost bin. It’s also a good idea to add some old paper and cardboard to balance the nutrient profile and acidity of the coffee grounds. This is a great way to protect worms, infuse your compost with nutrients, and deter harmful ants.
6. Target Nearby Ant Hills
Ants can benefit your yard in many ways, as they kill pests and help aerate soil. However, an infestation can harm beneficial organisms like earthworms and red wigglers. If an infestation is affecting the worms in your garden and compost bin, you must intervene. Target ant hills near your affected soil beds and compost bin.
We recommend wearing long socks and boots before approaching an ant hill, especially if you have fire ants. That way, they can’t crawl up your legs and sting you. Boil 2-3 gallons of water and pour it on the problematic ant hills near your garden and compost bin. This should kill or at least displace most of the ants on contact. Make sure no earthworms are nearby before doing this, or else you’ll kill them too.
7. Regularly Turn Your Compost
Composting requires a lot of work, time, and attention. You should turn or stir compost every 3-4 days to create an anaerobic environment and expedite decomposition. If you fall behind, you’re more likely to find ants and other annoying pests. Turn your compost at least once weekly to prevent ants from building colonies in the bin or pile.
Otherwise, ants will build tunnels, form colonies, and prey upon the worms in your compost. Turning the pile keeps the compost active, and ants often avoid active compost piles. It’s also important to check the moisture level and consistency and thoroughly turn the pile each time you add more materials to ensure a healthy balance of ingredients.
Summing It Up
You can protect earthworms from ants by spreading diatomaceous earth in the area to dehydrate and kill the ants. It also helps to put a layer of Vaseline on the edge of your compost bin to trap and suffocate problematic ants. Keep your compost pile damp and turn it every 3-4 days to support earthworms and deter ants.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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