2022 will be a wasp year - with these tricks you can keep the intrusive insects at bay

Created: 07/18/2022, 16:01

By: Franziska Vystrcil

A common wasp has perched on a plate of sweet jelly.

In a dry and warm year like 2022, wasp colonies can develop earlier and better.

© Peter Zschunke/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa

Wasps are unwelcome guests at the dining table.

This year the insects could become a real plague.

Because the weather in 2022 is ideal for them.

Sun, heat, hardly any rain: The weather in Germany in 2022 will deliver a top-class summer.

While we humans are enjoying the weather at the barbecue, in the outdoor pool or in the home garden, we often encounter pests there: wasps.

This year even more of them than usual, because the extremely warm and dry spring offered the insects a perfect start to the year.

Since the temperatures in June and July were also above average, the wasps were able to develop very well.

Their number depends on the weather.

If it rains too much, the nests go moldy and the wasp colonies die.

When it's warm, they thrive.

Beverages, sausage or meat as well as sweets also attract the wasps to our table.

However, anyone who then resorts to the fly swatter is liable to prosecution.

Because the yellow and black striped insects are under nature protection.

Anyone who kills bees in Germany must also expect a heavy fine.

You can get rid of wasps with simple means - without killing them.

Home remedies against wasps: Herbs and plants keep the insects away

The temptation can be great to simply slay the wasps.

With their pushy nature, they can quickly drive you insane.

But it is advisable to remain calm.

If they feel threatened or cornered, they react aggressively - and in the worst case, sting.

You can trick the insects with a spray bottle and don't get too close to them.

Simply spray the wasp with a little water and it will go away again.

The reason: the wasp mistakes the spray for rain and returns to its nest.

Another advantage: you can use it to refresh yourself when it's hot.

There are a few tricks you can use to avoid excessive sweating.

Garlic and basil are also miracle weapons against the pests.

Wasps don't like their smell.

So if you put a basil pot on the table or plant it in the garden and balcony boxes, you won't have to worry about wasps.

The garlic should be cut up and placed on the table in a small container to drive away the insects.

However, you can also fall back on much more pleasant scents.

The animals don't seem to like the smell of lavender at all.

The wasps also avoid the scent of citronella, tea tree or clove oil.

Essential oils also drive away annoying mosquitoes.

So you have not only literally killed two birds with one stone.

The fragrances can also be an effective remedy against the “most dangerous animal in the world”, the tiger mosquito.

Remedy against wasps: Never blow on it

If you don't have any oils or herbs at hand, you can also use coffee powder.

Simply put in a small bowl and light up.

The smoke keeps the wasps away.

However, the smoke can also be annoying for people.

The “Die Höhle der Löwen” start-up “VapoWesp” from Stuttgart has therefore come up with something: an incense box against wasps with different scents.

Since the insects react particularly to scents and are also attracted by them, sweet-smelling perfume should be avoided in summer.

Certain colors are also suspected of attracting wasps.

When it comes to clothing, avoid bright, colorful, blue and yellow colors if possible.

Under no circumstances should you blow the wasps on or away.

The heat and carbon dioxide in the breath causes stress in the animals and makes them aggressive.

With all the means and measures against wasps, however, we should not forget that these insects make a valuable contribution to our ecosystem.

Although most find them a nuisance, they are useful animals.

As natural pest control, they protect us from countless tormentors.

For example, some wasp species rid our gardens of caterpillars and other small insects.