A wasp nest in the garden can not only be very annoying, but also quite dangerous. Getting rid of the animals is not an easy task. One solution is to relocate the entire wasp nest. However, it is better to leave this task to professionals.
The smaller the wasp nest, the easier it is to move
When it makes sense to relocate
To say it in advance: relocating a wasp nest is only worthwhile in very isolated cases. Before you decide to take this time-consuming measure, which is stressful for people and animals, you should have really urgent reasons for it. Such can be for example:
- The wasp's nest is in the immediate vicinity of the house
- You or another member of your household have/have an allergy to insect venom
- Small children live in the house
The nature conservation authorities may only take action against the protected wasps under such circumstances. In any case, it must be officially clarified in advance whether the individual situation justifies the measure.
Furthermore, one must be aware that a wasp colony only lasts from spring to autumn. This is a manageable period of time in which you can also come to terms with the animals if necessary. However, there is not necessarily a risk that the old nest will be populated again in the following year - because the fertilized young queens usually look for a new place to found a colony after the winter.
The resettlement
Of course, if the situation is too critical, nest relocation can take place. However, it should better be carried out professionally by a beekeeper or a nature conservation organization. Because the action should not be underestimated.
Basically, the procedure consists of sucking off the wasps alive, carefully dismantling or digging up the burrow as a whole, and rebuilding it 3-4 kilometers away. From this distance, the wasps can no longer find their way back to their old location and are otherwise not harmed unnecessarily.
In order to protect yourself from wasp stings when relocating and also to protect the wasps from too much stress, the animals are put into a twilight state with an animal-friendly sedative.
If you would like to try it yourself, you can ask a beekeeper or the local nature conservation authority for such a remedy. Of course, beekeeping protective clothing is also necessary.
Relocation by a professional costs about 100 euros.