Hi Hank, yes you can, although they contain oxalic acid, this breaks down and is diluted quite quickly, so it won't affect your compost heap unduly, Derek.

yes of course they can go on the compost heap. that is what happens to them in nature, they rot down into harmless substances. tell your 'know it all' friend he/she is wrong.

Why not use the leaves to make an insecticide? Lots of links on the net on how to.

Thanks guys, have put him straight.

I understand that the resulting insecticide is lethal to bees, so be careful!