Darmstadt (dpa/lhe) - There are exceptionally good conditions for wasps in Hesse this year. "From a wasp's point of view, it's a fantastic year," said biologist Björn Kleinlogel. "Almost sensational." This is mainly due to the good weather conditions during the nest-building phase between mid-April and mid-May. This is when the queens establish their nest - many of whom came through this spring, as Kleinlogel explained. The pest controller from Darmstadt notices this in many orders to combat or resettle, including hornet nests.
"I have a lot to do as a resettler, also as a consultant," reported Brigitte Martin from the Bund for Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) in Darmstadt. The dry, warm weather is favorable for the insects - but it shouldn't get too hot either. In uninsulated attics, for example, the nests would almost be "grilled". "At some point, even the thickest insulation cover no longer helps. Especially when there is no water source nearby."
While the nests of some wasp species have already finished developing this year, the sometimes annoying "cake table wasps" are still out and about until the end of October, reported Kleinlogel. While there are enough food sources in nature in spring, the wasps often have to cover their needs from other sources in midsummer when the meadows are parched. "And the way from fallen fruit to plum cake isn't far."
