There are particularly many wasps this summer of 2022. The insects particularly like it warm and dry. Wasps scare a lot of people, but don't panic: it's all less crazy when you get to know the black and yellow animals a little better.
Only two of 360 species of wasps become a nuisance
There are around 360 species of wasps in Germany. The hornet is also a wasp. However, only two species are annoying to us humans: the common wasp and the German wasp. Unfortunately, they are also the most common…
Summer time, wasp time
Wasps only live for one summer. Only the young queens overwinter in order to build a new state the following year. From spring until around mid-August they are particularly targeting insects. When the brood is taken care of around August, the adults have to strive for their own survival: they need sugar!
That's where we humans come to the right place with our sweet temptations. We interpret the wasps' aggressive behavior because there are simply more of them near us – and that makes us nervous.
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Wasps and hornets are important!
Since insects are their main food, wasps regulate the natural balance. Caterpillars, aphids, but also mosquitoes, horseflies, spiders and much more are on their menu. A single colony of hornets can do about 15 kilograms of insects per season! A wasp colony at least half. Wasps and hornets also help bees pollinate flowers in spring and serve as food for birds.
The biggest myths about the wasp
“The poison of hornets is the most dangerous, three stings kill a person, seven kill a horse.”
This is nonsense. The venom of hornets is no more toxic than that of wasps or bees. On the contrary: bee venom is actually four times more poisonous! For allergy sufferers alone, staying away is the top priority. The wasp poses a real danger to them. The wasp's venom is 20 times more toxic to allergy sufferers than that of the bee. The stings lead to around 20 deaths every year.
“The problem is solved with wasp traps on the table.”
Not a good idea. The traps made from beer and juice aren't all that great. The wasps drown painfully in it. This supposed trick also attracts other insects.
Wasps in my garden
Nests that hang freely belong not to the annoying species. The annoying wasps are Dark Cave Nesters! This means they only build their nests in the ground or behind dark cladding. If you don't mind a freely hanging nest, you can simply leave it hanging.
If necessary, advice from a beekeeper
If you still want the nest to move, it's best to consult a specialist, such as a beekeeper. This can relocate the nest with a protective suit. Then the animals don't have to be killed and you don't put yourself in danger. Wasps are always in defense mode at the nest.
By the way: your neighbors can in principle do not claim to remove a nest. This means that you would only be liable for a nest and its consequences if you had settled it independently at the location in question.
What you can do with wasps (and make them stay better)
- Avoid hectic and fast movements, as the animals feel threatened by them.
- Also not good: blow away wasps. The one that was exhaled CO2 Triggers wasps into flight or fight mode. So the risk of them attacking you increases.
- Cover drinks with lids and drink from a thin straw. Before each sip, take a deep look into the glass – be careful, especially with cans!
- Always cover food when eating outside. In addition to sweets, wasps also really like meat.
- Do not sit near trash cans in the park and always keep trash cans locked at home.
- Don't walk barefoot across meadows!
- If you are very anxious, you should avoid colorful clothing.
- After a sting: Cooling helps and placing half a raw onion on the sting has an anti-inflammatory effect. If you don't have anything to hand – even spit neutralizes the insect venom.
- If you experience dizziness, rapid heartbeat or nausea after a sting, please consult a doctor immediately!
- Please never suck the puncture site with your mouth, as this will cause the poison to enter the body even more quickly through the mucous membranes.
- If you suffer from allergies, always have your emergency pharmacy with you from August onwards!
But the very best remedy against wasps remains: just leave them alone. Even if it is difficult.
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