One might think that wasps have no decency: As soon as there is something edible on the table in summer (regardless of whether it is sweet or savory), the insects pounce on it and – in the truest sense of the word – cut off a slice of it. However, the workers not only satisfy their own hunger, but also provide their offspring with the protein-rich and sugary snacks. And since they don’t even stop at drinks, the chances of being stung by a wasp between July and August are high. The danger is particularly great for children and adults who react allergically to a sting. The question arises: How can you get rid of the annoying wasps without killing them?
Apart from the fact that wasps are protected in Germany and cannot be killed, there are numerous reasons why the yellow-black insects are quite useful: They hunt other pests such as mosquitoes and flies or even aphids – and thus contribute to biological pest control. But wasps themselves also serve as a food source for other animals, such as birds. In addition, insects actively help pollinate plants in spring and thus keep our ecosystem in balance. For this reason, the Nature Conservation Association (NABU) also advises against purchasing deadly wasp traps that are filled with juice or beer: “The animals die a painful death in the liquid. In addition, only old animals go into the trap. The active colony will not decimated”.
Note: Wasps become particularly aggressive when you wave them wildly or blow on the insects. This is due to the carbon dioxide contained in your breath, which triggers a kind of alarm signal in the animals.
Of course, there are also live traps that you can use to drive away wasps. Alternatively, the following home remedies should also help to scare the animals away:
Tip: To prevent insects from flying into your apartment, you can install (or have) custom-fit insect screens on the windows and balcony doors.
Even if (according to NABU) only the “unproblematic wasp species” tend to build their nests in bushes, behind wooden cladding or in roller shutters, many people still feel disturbed by this. Families with small children and people with allergies in particular are understandably uncomfortable with insects constantly in their vicinity. But how do you actually behave when you have discovered a nest – or observed how one is being built? It is very important that you should never try to remove the wasp hole yourself. Instead, contact the relevant health or regulatory authority, a beekeeper or a professional pest controller. Apart from that, you should know that the animals leave their nest again in the fall, after which you can remove it yourself.
There are numerous myths about how to get rid of wasps – but not all of them are true. Such as the following three examples.
Sources: NABU, BILD, LBV
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