When wasps build a nest near humans, there is always acute danger. However, they can prevent nest building.
Wasp nests are especially a problem when they are located where people are constantly around. However, a garden shed, tool shed, attic or roller shutter box is the perfect basis for the insects to build their dwelling on. In addition to the he alth risk, the wasps also damage the base on which they build their nest to a certain extent. It is all the more important to prevent nest building as much as possible.
Where exactly do wasps settle?
Wasps place certain conditions on the place where they make their homes. For example, they prefer jobs where the following conditions are met:
- The place is shaded or dark and sheltered from wind and rain.
- It is in an area that is not easily accessible from the outside.
The following are therefore particularly predestined for these requirements:
- Shrubs that grow close to the ground and are dense
- Nest Boxes for Birds
- Garden Furniture
- Wall gaps or cracks within a house facade
- Attics
- Garden Shed or Shed
- Roller shutter boxes
The type of wasp also plays a role in deciding where to build a nest. For example, the German wasp (Vespula germanica) and the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) prefer to settle in wall crevices.
If it is the Saxon wasp (Dolichovespula saxonica) instead, it is more likely to be found in the attic or in the shed. Denser bushes, on the other hand, are more likely to be sought out by the medium-sized wasp (Dolichovespula).
Tip: Hornets (Vespa crabro) are also wasps. They prefer to settle close to people - in the attic or in cavities.
Prevent building a wasp nest
Usually, the affected areas are sealed to ensure that no wasps settle there. An alternative is odor barriers, as insects respond well to them.
In general, you should heed the following tips:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Close openings | Access to many of the affected nesting sites can be blocked. Roller shutter boxes can be equipped with a brush seal, for example, which blocks access for wasps. The roller shutters, on the other hand, remain functional. |
| Sealing Cracks | If there are cracks in the house facade, these should be closed as early as possible. They provide the ideal conditions for wasps to build their nests. If the wasps get into the cracks, they destroy the facade during construction and at the same time eat their way through the house wall. |
| Use fly screens | The wasps reach some nest sites through other openings. For example the ones in the attic. However, if you close the windows with fly screens early on, you prevent the wasps from getting there in the first place. |
| Dummy Wasp | Wasps don't like neighbors. If they find such a dummy in their chosen place, they usually decide against settling here. This option is advisable, but not always reliable. |
| Do not remove old wasp nests | Wasps usually do not colonize a nest a second time. Likewise, the direct environment seems unsuitable for the insects to settle there again. That's why it's best to leave old, empty nests hanging. |
| Clean nest sites thoroughly | The smell of the environment is always decisive for wasps when choosing a nesting site. If there was already a nest in one place, the animals can smell it and may settle there again. If an old nest is removed, the affected area should therefore be cleaned thoroughly. |
| Offer alternatives | Wasps mainly use dead wood as a basis for building their nests. There are now commercially available nesting aids that not only provide the wasps with the deadwood they need to burrow, but also signal to them that they can settle in this place. So if you want to lure the wasps to a specific place, you should hang up such a nesting aid here. |
| Set up odor barriers | Wasps can't stand certain smells and so they don't settle in the area either. For example, essential oils are a good way to deter wasps from burrowing. The beams are simply rubbed with lavender, basil or clove oil. On the other hand, on the outer facadea strongly scented frankincense plant provides the necessary protection. |
What to do when the nest is already under construction?
Unfortunately, nest building cannot always be prevented despite appropriate precautions. Although wasps can be dangerous to humans, they are also beneficial to nature, pollinating plants and taking care of destroying other vermin.
If you discover an insect nest in the garden or house, you should not drive them away in the first place. If it is possible to tolerate the nest, it should be left hanging until the season is over.
Otherwise, there are other ways to deal with the wasp nest properly:
- Relocation:
This is best done with the advice of a wasp advisor. He is familiar with the species and puts you in touch with experts who can relocate the wasps' nest without difficulty.
- Fire brigade:
If a person is in acute danger, the fire brigade will also help. This is the case, for example, if the occupant of the house suffers from a wasp allergy. However, he needs an allergy pass so that the wasp nest can be removed by the fire brigade. Incidentally, there is also a dangerous situation when small children are in the immediate vicinity. However, please note that using the fire brigade involves certain costs that should not be forgotten.
- Pest Control:
They relocate the wasp nests, but under certain circumstances they do not necessarily comply with the given conditions in terms of nature and species protection. Therefore, advance information is essential here.
Wasp nest after wasp season
Once the wasp season is over, the nest is usually no longer inhabited. In this case you can remove it yourself. It is important to know when exactly this time has come.
Depending on the species, the last wasps leave the nest between September and November. After that, however, the nest is still used by various beneficial insects for hibernation. The ideal time for nest removal is March or April.