Ants aren't very active in January, at least not here. The snowcover keeps them away. LOL. You can simmer it, but it's gonna stink...bad. A little Vicks rubbbed under your nose may help. If it were me I would fill a Rubbermaid tub with water and drop it in there. Leave it for a few weeks and check on it. This is called maceration. It works very well and isn't harsh on the bones like simmering.