Wasps in compost bin

thornbridge

I have had a compost bin for 4 years now and have never had a problem. Yesterday i went and put the usual kitchen waste into it. You know the usual potato peelings carrot peelings a few tea bags etc etc. I removed the lid and about 5 wasps flew out. I have been keeping an eye on it today and put a few things in and there are still several wasps milling about inside. How can i get rid of these wasps. Someone has told me to keep the compost wet and to cover each fresh deposit with grass or paper.

More to the point how come i have this problem and never have in the past.

Does anyone else have a similar.

The bin in question is the one free off the council the ones which resemble a Darlik.

nodwah

If you sneak the hose in there and leave it running for a good while they won't like it and your compost will get better!

Lotus-eater

How did the wasps get in there? Do you know?
Unless you have a wasp nest in there, it's nothing to really worry about, just ignore them and they should ignore you. Don't go waving your arms around and trying to kill them and you should be OK.

thornbridge

Lotus-eater wrote: »

How did the wasps get in there? Do you know?
Unless you have a wasp nest in there, it's nothing to really worry about, just ignore them and they should ignore you. Don't go waving your arms around and trying to kill them and you should be OK.

At the bottom of the bin there is a plastic hatch that you get the compost out.I saw them flying in and out of there

SailorSam

If they're not doing any harm, leave them just be careful when you're putting stuff in. They will die off about October. If you're worried get a can of ant killer and in the evening when they're not around, spray around where you think they're going in and out. They will pick up the poison on their feet and wings and take it back into the nest, within a few days they should be dead.

Trishh_2

If your compost gets nice and hot they won't stick around to get cooked ... it does sound like there could be nest. Are you sure they're wasps and not bees? I'd be reluctant to put any chemicals in there as it'll end up on your food next year when you use the resulting compost.

Lotus-eater

I'm not saying you definitely haven't got a nest, but it's unlikely if you are only talking about 5 wasps, if you had a nest you should see a constant stream of wasps going in and out of the bin. One every couple of seconds.
You probably have something sweet in there that is attracting them, pineapple?
If you keep calm you should be fine, contrary to popular belief, wasps aren't normally aggressive, but will still protect their nest very vigorously if they think it is being attacked.
So if you think there is a nest in there, avoid it until they have died out. Use a different composter for a while. (till about Oct as said above) or if you must, get someone in to kill it. Remember though that wasps are part of the ecosystem we have and have their place in it.

If there aren't enough wasps for there to be a nest, just continue putting stuff in as normal, although obviously taking precautions not to aggravate a whole load of wasps that may be in there

thornbridge

Don't think there is a nest in there as i have only seen around 5 or 6 and a few inside the bin.
Hi Trish. yes I'm quite sure they are wasps i agree with the chemical bit to.

While I'm on the subject i have just checked the small mini green house we have the sort of type that are about 5ft high and 2ft wide and at the top a colony of hover flies are living in there amongst my tom plants. There's about 15 in there. I'm not to bothered thou as they eat aphids and thrips so i should have healthy tom plants

cjb02

I have had a similar problem in the last few days, I just took the top off and they seem to have gone (it has been raining and the compost got wet)

thornbridge

I put a layer of grass cuttings in when i cut the grass on Sunday and they seemed to have taken the huff and moved house

Valli

Insect nests (ant/wasp) can be discouraged by regular turning - stick a garden fork in and give it a stir!