the only way to be sure.. is to switch out the media with fresh ...

media does not last forever.. how old is this stuff????

see link for sterilizing media ... with other methods ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

Ken, the potting mix is fairly new, bought it less than 2 months ago so there must still be a lot of nutrients in it right?
Thanks for the link, but I'm not comfortable with the idea of putting potting mix in the microwave, etc, even if the end result is sterilization. There's sort of an ick factor :)
What if I spread out the potting mix on a metal tray and cover it with black garbage bag and leave it outdoors for a couple of days? Here, the average sunrise is 6am and sunset is 5pm. Will that be enough to nuke the potting mix? Thanks.

diemoldau123, check out this site.
That being said, there is no reason why the boiling water will not work - even on the eggs.
You might have to use a pressure cooker to super heat the water in order to counteract the heat dissipation through the soil.
If you have access to an autoclave, that might work if you can keep the temperature below 100 ðC
Too high a temperature will destroy some of the soil properties.
That is how bricks are made!

diemoldau123, the link does not work does it?
It explained that, because of the structure of underground nests, the heat from the boiling is quickly dissipated; and that the queen (and her eggs) are usually well protected.
Once More.

Ronalawn82, thanks for your input, you're right, there is no reason why the boiling water will not work. So I will go ahead and transplant the lemon balm and mint :)

If you spread the soil out on something thinning the ants will leave. No need to cover it.

That's supposed to say thinly not thinning.

Zackey, thanks.