Anybody know how to evict yellow jackets from compost heap?

[dreamshark]

Richard went out to turn over the compost yesterday, and guess what was living in it? Ouch. Fortunately he got away with only 3 stings, but he wasn't happy. Now he's trying to figure out what to do about it. The usual methods (e.g., pouring kerosene down the hole and setting it on fire) would result in destroying or poisoning the compost. He's wondering if soaking the pile with water would flood them out.

My suggestion is to wait for the first frost. But I think he was hoping to use some of the composted material before then. Any ideas?

Comments

[guppiecat]

Drench it with water after the sun sets. Then drop a block of dry ice on the top.

Never done it, but if you do it during one of those "40 degree low" nights, that might force an early frost in the vicinity of the compost pile.

[mle292.livejournal.com]

I like guppiecat's suggestion.

Some internet searching led me to a clever solution to shop vac the little buggers all up and then spray wasp killer into the shop vac.

I don't know how wise that is.

[pameladean]

Ow ow ow. Very sorry to hear it.

I have read that applying diatomaceous earth to the opening of the nest will do it in. I'm not sure how this gets the queen, though. Mostly one is just recommended to wait, as you suggested, for the first killing frost. Yellow jackets don't nest in the same place from year to year, so next year should be all right.

P.

Yellow Jackets

[lsanderson.livejournal.com]

Unless you need to work the pile before winter, just wait. The colony will be abandoned soon.

Yellow Jackets Swarms?

[lsanderson.livejournal.com]

I think they're starting to be kicked out of the nest. At least I noticed a bunch all over at the Farmer's Market. I'll guess they'd be gone in a couple of weeks, if that works for you.