Polistinae; Credit: Jérôme Morbé, 2019

Luxembourg non-profit association natur&ëmwelt has published information on what to do if you come across a wasp nest.

Wasps usually only bother us in the middle of summer, when they start preying on our food on the patio or when we notice their finished nests. According to natur&ëmwelt, however, now especially is the time to keep your eyes open, as the first queens are starting to establish their colonies, and to intervene easily and smoothly without harming anyone.

Of the more than 300 species of wasps present in Luxembourg, most are solitary and of the fifteen social species that live in colonies, only two species present a potential for conflict for humans.

In general, wasps are useful animals. They pollinate flowers and repel insects, making them natural pest control agents. Therefore, by tolerating nests in non-problematic places, you are doing yourself and nature a favour. With proper behavior, trouble-free coexistence, even near nests, is possible. In addition, the unjustified destruction of nests is prohibited by law for the protection of nature. By law, nests that do not represent a direct danger cannot be destroyed.

If you want to avoid any potential problems with wasp nests, you should prevent them from setting up in unfavourable places. In April and May, until early June, the majority of nests are still at the start of construction. At this stage, they are very sensitive to disturbances and can be chased away more easily:

- Regularly check dark sheds, shelters and children's playhouses, and disturb the queen from the start of construction. Also watch out for old mouse holes;

- Set the roller shutters in motion daily, particularly on terraces, on balconies and in bedrooms;

- In particularly difficult to access places, such as under patio boards, essential oils can be used as a preventive measure, such as clove, eucalyptus, tea tree, cedar, lemon, nuts or a mixture of these, soaked on a cotton ball or directly sprayed on the place in question (one part oil - ten parts alcohol).

If you are not sure, or if a nest has been set up in your home despite all this, the public is invited to leave a message for natur&ëmwelt via tel.: 621-969444. An advisor will then get in touch as soon as possible. Details for local advisers are also available from municipalities, nature conservation centres, nature parks and biological stations.

The natur&ëmwelt leaflet containing information on the various wasps and the behaviour to adopt in the event of an encounter with them is available online at www.naturemwelt.lu and can be ordered via tel.: 290-4041 or via email: secretariat@naturemwelt.lu.