They are very present right now: wasps.
Manfred Drobny from the Bund Naturschutz in Freising knows why that is and how best to deal with the insects.
District
– Right now they feel like they are everywhere: as soon as you sit outside, on the terrace, in a café or in the beer garden, with an ice cream in your hand, a piece of cake or something grilled on the table, wasps appear with a loud buzzing noise.
In an interview, Manfred Drobny, head of the Freising district group of the Bund Naturschutz, explains why the black and yellow insects are particularly present this year and how best to deal with them.
Mr. Drobny, actually every summer it is said that the wasps are particularly bad. Is there really more than usual this year?
The wasps are generally more in the summer.
It's because of their life cycle.
The queen begins to lay eggs and establish her colony in the spring.
It is at its greatest in August and September, before the wasps die off with the first frosty nights in October.
However, the weather also plays a role: when it is hot and dry, most insects are very happy.
In addition, many wasp species build their nests in burrows, such as old mouse tunnels.
If it rains a lot, they are flooded and the animals drown.
That's not so common this year.
It can therefore be assumed that there are more wasps than in other years - but not exceptionally more.
Wasps not only settle in burrows, but often also where people live.
Yes, for example in niches and crevices on the house or roof.
Roller blinds are also popular.
Then it takes months until a nest is big enough to be noticed.
How can I remove it if I spot it?
Not at all.
Wasps are a protected species, removing nests is prohibited.
This is only possible with a special permit under species protection law.
However, it is very difficult to obtain.
Anyone who discovers a nest near their living space is welcome to contact us.
We will then try to find a solution.
(By the way: everything from the region is now also available in our regular Freising newsletter.)
How can the Bund Naturschutz help in such cases?
The most important thing is enlightenment.
As I said, wasps - unlike bees - do not hibernate, they die in autumn.
Until then, insect screens in front of the windows will help most people a lot.
Why are the animals targeting our food?
Because they also need food.
They mainly eat meat in the first few months, because proteins are needed to rear the wasp larvae.
And they like everything that is sweet or fermented: bread with jam, fruit, cakes, but also sugary drinks such as Spezi or Radler.
You should always close them outside: put the lid on bottles and cover glasses so that you don't swallow the animals.
How dangerous are bites?
Wasp stings are harmless to people who are not allergic to them.
The spot gets red, hot and swollen, and the itching stays with you for longer.
It's annoying, but not dangerous.
Incidentally, the same applies to hornet stings: there is still a fairy tale that seven hornet stings would kill a person.
That's nonsense.
Contrary to various stories, there is not a single known death.
What should you do if you get stung?
You have to cool, cool, cool.
With water or ice, there are also various remedies available in stores or pharmacies.
I personally have had good experiences with cucumber slices or peels.
As a home remedy, it is also recommended to press a freshly cut half onion on the spot.
It should not only cool, but also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
And how do I not let it get that far in the first place?
The problem is that the critters are quite short-sighted.
As a result, they often come close to humans.
We see that as a threat.
Therefore, the most sensible thing to do is to stay calm and not make any frantic movements.
Most of the time, the animals just keep flying.
Blowing away is not an option, as the animals perceive the CO2 in the air they breathe as a threat and become aggressive.
If you are eating, it is better to set up a food source at a distance specifically for the wasps: something sweet or fruit, for example.
They also like fermentation products such as alcohol or vinegar - that attracts them magically.
What are the animals for anyway?
The ecological importance of wasps should not be underestimated.
They not only get rid of carcasses, but also eat, for example, a whole range of pests that are otherwise on the move on flowers, vegetables or trees, such as aphids.
And since they also snack on nectar, they are also important pollinators.
Like any other insect, wasps are an important part of the ecological fabric.
If we didn't have them, the whole balance would be upset.
You can find more current news from the district of Freising at Merkur.de/Freising.
