ants in my composter (grass, worms, leaves, summer)

[citydweller]

I bought a composter last year and put food into it along with grass clippings, leaves etc. Later in the summer I found ants galore coming and going from the composter. I thought it have been due to the lack of me keeping it adquately damp etc. This year I have placed no food, only leaves and grass and behold there is a severe ant infestion in the composter. I have not been turning it but instead thought as long as I kind of layered the grass clippings and leaves it would be ok. Occasionally I have watered it but not turned it. It's a square tall shaped one and turning would be difficult. So why are all these ants coming and going into my composter? Do they really love brown leaves or clippings that much? What should I do?

[North Beach Person]

It's normal. The ants are part of the composting process.
Do nothing.
If the compost was on the ground you'd also have worms in it, along with other small bugs.

[citydweller]

They are coming and going with white stuff (food I guess). So do they make food from this concoction ?

[Luvvarkansas]

They are just building their nest in it. The white stuff is usually larvae. If you turn it they will go somewhere else where they can build undisturbed....at least that's what happened in my case. Mine were fire ants, though, so I really didn't want them around.

[marita]

Wherever you don't want ants sprinkle Cinnamon.