Tips against wasps: How to drive away the insects without any problems

Created: 07/05/2022 10:06 am

By: Nail Akkoyun

Wasps like to roam the garden in summer.

But are all species dangerous?

And what really helps against the nuisance?

An expert shares tips. 

Kassel - Who doesn't know it?

You're just making yourself comfortable while barbecuing or drinking coffee when the first black and yellow pests appear: wasps.

But are really all wasp species annoying or even dangerous?

First of all, wasps are predators.

Therefore, they mainly pose a threat to insects, especially flies and mosquitoes. However, human food such as grilled meat is also interesting for wasps.

The meat cut out with the mouthparts is then fed to the larvae by the queen.

Pests in the summer: two types of wasps are responsible for the bad reputation

The workers among the wasps love sweets, which is why the annoying nuisances like to fly over in summer when cake, jam or lemonade are on the table.

But tree sap and fallen fruit can also attract wasps.

However, these are only the German wasp and the common wasp.

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Wasps: This is how you get rid of the pests again.

© Julian Stratenschulte / dpa

From August: Wasps become a nuisance in late summer

Bernd Hannover, insect expert at NABU Waldeck-Frankenberg, explains to the WLZ* that wasps usually only become a nuisance in late summer, as this is when new drones and queens have developed.

In addition, Hanover says: "It is also the time when the dying of peoples slowly begins.

This makes them more nervous and aggressive.

Actually, they are quite peaceful - if they don't feel threatened."

In addition, the 73-year-old emphasizes that stitches are only dangerous in the mouth and throat anyway.

And of course for allergy sufferers.

If you leave wasps alone, they wouldn't do anything either, according to the expert.

Related to wasps: hornets are also out and about in summer - and they are harmless

Hornets also belong to the wasp family.

The larger insects are often considered particularly dangerous, but they tend to be gentle giants.

The queen is usually between 30 and 40 millimeters long, while the male drones are 21 to 28 millimeters and the workers 18 to 25 millimeters.

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In contrast to the common wasp, hornets are much more shy and predictable.

They also do not come near humans in summer to capture food.

To get their attention, you would have to annoy them quite a bit, according to expert Bernd Hannover.

However, other insects have to be wary of hornets: a large colony of nocturnal animals catches around half a kilo of insects a day, including flies, moths and even wasps.

If you do get stung by a hornet, don't worry.

Although a sting is quite painful due to the large and long stinger, it is not as poisonous as the stings of wasps and bees.

Not only hornets are protected.

They must not be killed and their nest must not be destroyed.

There is also a penalty for removing wasp nests.

© Daniel Karmann

Nests in summer: wasps are protected species - high fines possible

If you discover a wasp nest in your home, you should definitely call a local beekeeper or exterminator for advice.

Many people do not know that almost all wasp species and hornets are protected species.

The Federal Nature Conservation Act prohibits “impairing or destroying habitats of wild animals without good reason”.

Independent removal and killing of hornets, wasps and bees can be punished with fines of up to 50,000 euros.

Since wasp colonies only live for one year, there is no need to worry that a new nest will be built in the same place next summer.

According to expert Bernd Hannover, hornets and wasps “never use a nest twice”.

Summer: Expert tips for dealing peacefully with wasps

For a peaceful coexistence and a successful defense against wasps in summer, the Nabu expert recommends the following tips, among others:

• At the table: Avoid quick movements as

  wasps

  will sting if they feel threatened

• Don't blow: The carbon dioxide

  contained in the breath

  is considered an

  alarm signal in the wasp's nest

• Distraction feeding: Five to ten meters away, for example, overripe

  grapes

  are suitable to distract wasps.

  However, undiluted

  jams

  make the insects

  aggressive

• Avoid brightly colored clothing

  and fragrances such as

  perfume

  , creams and furniture polish

• Attach fly screens

  to windows and doors, especially in the kitchen, bathroom and

  children's room windows

• Immediately after a

  sting

  , you should dab the sting site with

  hot water

  and a washcloth while applying gentle pressure

• The

  swelling

  should be cooled with cold water or

  cold

  packs

• Onion juice has an anti-inflammatory effect: Cut an

  onion

  in half, place on the sting and rub gently

In addition to wasps, the black fly is also out and about this summer.

One woman even fought for her life after being bitten.

The harmless carpenter bee, also known as the blue bee, can also be found more and more often in northern Hesse.

People from Kassel have discovered the beautiful little animal in their gardens several times.