Wasp management tips for outdoor dining

As summer progresses, experts are providing guidance on how to manage wasp encounters during outdoor dining. Organizations such as the Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU) and the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) advise against common reactive behaviors like swatting or blowing on the insects. Blowing is specifically discouraged because the carbon dioxide in human breath acts as an alarm signal to wasps.

To prevent wasps from approaching food, experts recommend covering dishes, removing food scraps quickly, and using a spray bottle to gently mist them with water. Another strategy involves distraction: placing a separate plate with sweets or protein sources at a distance from the main table to draw the insects away. Maintaining a calm demeanor is emphasized to avoid provoking defensive behavior or stings.