Yellow jackets have taken up residence in our compost heap. I do not want to kill them, I just want them to leave. Is there an organic way to make the compost area unnattractive to them so they leave on their own?

We have them elsewhere on our property and don't really mind them, but it doesn't work in the compost heap, where my husband turns the soil every time he takes out kitchen scraps!

Not that this is a good option, but, if we just leave them alone, will winter do away with them, or will they just burrow in nice and safe and wait til spring?

Thanks,
Judee Reel

I don't know of any way to make them leave an area, but, the traps work well (or the local skunk - if it finds them).

The nest itself is unlikely to survive the winter, but you may get another nest in the compost pile in the future.

Leaving them alone is a good option, but if the area is one used by people/kids (on a frequent basis) then the risk of a sting (or several) escalates.

A single sting is fine (if you're not allergic - and don't mind the swelling/pain), multiple stings increase the possibility of an adverse reaction.

Dad

Vera