Experts and community suggest against wasps
“Wasp can be easily repelled by water”
Summer time is also wasp time. Whether it’s a casual barbecue, an outdoor lunch or soaking up the sun – unfortunately buzzing insects often get in the way. An expert explains why – including tips from the community!
Andreas Hobie and Anna Ostreich
If you want to enjoy grilled meats, ice cream or sweetened drinks outside during the summer months, you don’t have to wait long for a wasp attack. And indeed: wasps have been more persistent this year than ever before. “The reason for this is rising heat and hot springs,” Dr. Gabby Müller, head of pest prevention in the city of Zurich, Blick. “Higher temperatures accelerate insect development. This means nests are more advanced and larger wasp colonies are formed. Accordingly, wasps need more food and contact with people.”
But that shouldn’t stop us from enjoying the sunny time outside. To make sure this can be done without disturbing the wasps as much as possible, we asked the community and our expert for the best tips.
This is the fastest way to escape a wasp
Classic perhaps among tips against wasps are lighted coffee grounds. But other scented home remedies are said to ensure that uninvited guests flee quickly again. «I put the euro-cent pieces on the table. The copper alloy has such a strong odor to insects that they do fly to them from time to time, but never last long,” writes reader Susan. If you don’t have any money at home, So you can put some money on the table. Cloths rubbed with tea tree oil are said to work wonders too. Reader Marianne can also recommend “Open Jar of Faith.”
Broken newspaper gives relief
The success of these home remedies shows that buzzing bugs like to be chased away by smell. Scented candles, cloves or lemonade should also ward off annoying visitors. Reader Max has a different idea: “We crumple up the newspapers and hang them with strings. The smell of printer ink signals to wasps that other wasps are already here.” Other readers swear by water to ward off wasps. “The steam from the atomizer bottle works wonders,” writes Felice. Gabby Muller Also absolutely recommend this tip. “The easiest way to repel wasps is to spray the insects with water – wasps don’t like getting wet.”
«If you find a scout wasp, you can eat it in peace»
Reader Andreas goes on strategically: “Typically, a lone wasp appears to figure out what to get and then reports back to the army. If you catch this scout wasp at the bottom of a glass If you manage, you can eat in peace.” Reader Marcus also tries to find a compromise with insects: “I put a plate with cold-cut pieces on a small side table. The wasp cut off a piece and flew away peacefully again.» The reader looks at them with fascination.
So that nothing stands in the way of the barbecue evening, our experts recommend leaving as little food as possible and leaving it open. Once the wasp has smelled the food, it’s worth placing some sugar or a piece of meat in a place where the wasp won’t be bothered. Incidentally, beware of beer: “Wasps like beer. I don’t recommend drinking from a can because you could swallow a wasp, which could be life-threatening.”
