It is not uncommon for wasps to nest in roller shutter boxes. The dark, well-protected cavity offers some species ideal nesting conditions. Of course, this can be annoying and dangerous for the actual residents of the house. So how can it be prevented?
Raising and lowering roller shutters regularly scares away wasps with nesting intentions
Wasps standing on roller shutter boxes
The wasps that prefer to look for roller shutter boxes when looking for an apartment are so-called dark cave nesters. This group includes the most common and troublesome species like the German and common wasp, as well as the rarer and far less obtrusive red wasp. The hemstitch in roller shutter boxes is exactly the right size for these dark cave nests and has the best lighting conditions for nest building.
The German and common wasps are among the wasp species that form extremely large colonies. A colony can grow to up to 7000 animals in one season. It is all the more problematic when there is a nest of their kind right next to the house.
To remember:
- Wasp species that nest in roller shutter boxes are the most common German and common wasps
- These species form very large colonies
- Roller shutter boxes offer them ideal nesting conditions
prevention options
So that there is no wasp infestation over the bedroom or living room window, it is very worthwhile to take preventive measures. Because once wasps have moved in, combating them is difficult and also dangerous. Basically, the only option left in this case is to relocate the nest - and that should always be done by professionals. The cost of such a resettlement is around 100 euros.
sealing
Sealing is the key to preventing wasps from gaining access to the roller shutter box. The safest way to prevent wasp colonization is to seal off all possible access points to the roller shutter box. Examine the area around the roller shutter for cracks in the plaster or damage to the window frame and seal them with plaster of paris, construction foam or silicone.
It is best to do this in early spring, when the risk of longer periods of frost is reduced and a young queen is not yet in colony founding mode. This is the best way to keep the closures tight.
make noise
What can also put off a female wasp from settling in the roller shutter box is noise. After all, for us humans, apartments right next to the tram or under trampling neighbors are not attractive either. If you frequently open and close the roller shutters in the spring, the value of the home for the wasp can be significantly reduced. Annoying, but arm-training!
build odor barriers
Even if there is an unpleasant smell in an apartment, we tend to move on to the next offer. The same can happen to a wasp. If you have the opportunity to install wasp-repelling scent sources in the immediate vicinity, do so. For example, a decorative incense plant in a hanging pot directly on the window frame would be possible. Alternatively, you can also regularly spray the area around the roller shutter box in the spring with a mixture of water and essential oil (e.g. clove or tea tree oil).