Bees' nest in my compost heap

I currently have (too many) compost heaps in part of my Kleingarten, and one appears to be hosting an active bees' nest.  I tried to take pictures but failed.  To my naive eyes they look like honeybees - standard yellow/black stripes, "normal" bee-shaped body - but I assume they're not.  Definitely not wasps/hornets/bumblebees.  They aren't aggressive, though they're not thrilled with me getting too close.  

I'd be happy to leave them to their pollinating, but I want to tear down these compost heaps and lay out raised beds for next spring.

Will they move on their own?  When might I expect that?  If not, when is the least-worst time and way to tear down the compost heap?  Can I offer them someplace else?

Many thanks in advance!

if they are honey bees, you might think about getting a bee suit and building a hive box to move them into, just bee sure they are not yellow jackets, do some googling, keeping bees is a rewarding hobby in its own rite. depending on where you are your local extension agent may be of assistance. i recently read how the state of virginia will give bees and assistance to anyone in the state that wants to keep bees, produce honey ect.

without seeing a photo, I would guess a Vespa of some sort. most Vespa colonies are annual in temperate climates like yours and die out over the winter, so that could be a good time to tear down the pile.

Thank you, tel and bruce!  I'll try to get a better picture, but for now work on the assumption they'll die out in the winter.  

honey bees dont die in winter, they huddle together to keep warmth and feed off stores of honey.
honey bees are amazing