May 4, 2025, 9:36 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Wasps are likely among the most bothersome visitors on balconies, terraces, or in gardens. In some cases, they may settle in and start building nests in the spring. How can this activity be stopped early on?
Wasps may not be welcome, but they are actually protected by nature conservation laws in Germany. Once they have built their nest, you cannot simply remove it or use chemicals against the insects. Especially in spring, the first wasps become noticeable as they search for suitable locations to build their nests. Roller shutter boxes, windows, balcony doors, and other entry points are particularly prone to this. How can you prevent a wasp nest in time? And what should you do if the nest building has already started? myHOMEBOOK shares effective measures for preventing wasp nests from forming at home.
Wasps Search for Suitable Nesting Sites in Spring
If you spot a single wasp buzzing around the window in spring, it is usually a royal visitor, namely a queen. They are the only wasps that survive the winter and then search for a suitable place to establish a new colony. This colony will only last for one season, as most wasps die afterward. The nest is then abandoned and not reused the following year.
Stop Wasps from Building Nests Before They Start
As soon as spring begins, wasps look for a sheltered place to build their nests. Dark, hard-to-see spots, such as roller shutter boxes, are particularly popular. Therefore, it is important to check all potential entry points in the house early in the year and seal them if necessary.
A simple yet effective protection: install a brush seal on the roller shutter slot. This prevents wasps from entering the narrow gap while allowing the shutter to glide smoothly.
How to Keep Roller Shutter Boxes and Windows Wasp-Free
Additional measures can also prevent wasps from getting close to the house:
- Install fly screens: Windows in the kitchen, bathroom, and children’s rooms should be equipped with a fly screen. If an insect does get inside, a glass and a piece of paper can help safely escort it outside.
- Essential oils as natural repellents: Wasps avoid certain scents. Wooden cladding and roller shutter boxes can be rubbed with lavender, clove, or basil oil — an easy way to make nest building unattractive.
- Cover trash cans and compost: What wasps can’t smell won’t attract them. Covered trash cans and compost heaps prevent the insects from finding a food source there.
Can You Remove a Wasp Nest Yourself?
A wasp nest is not always a problem. Wasps play important ecological roles: They control pests, pollinate plants, and serve as food for birds. Additionally, all wasps are protected by nature conservation laws. This means wild animals cannot be deliberately captured, injured, or killed. Their nests also cannot be destroyed. Certain species, such as hornets, enjoy special protection status.
In most cases, the problem resolves itself over time: The nests are used for only one season and are abandoned by mid-October at the latest. Reoccupation generally does not occur.
If you still want to have a nest removed, you should not attempt it yourself. Instead, contact a professional pest control or building cleaning service. In some cases, you can also reach out to the local fire department.
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What to Do if Nest Building Has Already Started?
If a nest is already being built, a simple yet gentle trick is often recommended. It is suggested that a crumpled brown paper bag wrapped with packing tape be hung near the real nest to deceive the insects. The hope is that the wasps will move on, thinking the area is already occupied.
But does this trick really work? “Unfortunately, this is absolute nonsense,” explains Dr. Melanie von Orlow from the NABU Berlin State Association. “No wasp would mistake it for a wasp nest, nor would it deter them from visiting,” the expert explains upon myHOMEBOOK’s inquiry. Wasps can smell the nests, and they wouldn’t mind being surrounded by competition. Therefore, this trick is not recommended.
It is better to rely on the following proven methods to prevent a wasp nest early on:
- Inspect in spring (March-May): Remove small nest beginnings immediately before the nest building progresses.
- Block access points: Seal cracks and install fly screens.
- Use repellent scents: Spray scents of garlic, lemons, cloves, tea tree oil, or vinegar to deter the insects.
- Plants against wasps: Certain plants emit scents that can also drive away wasps.
- Keep areas lively: Wasps generally avoid frequently used places.