A wasp nest in the garden can not only be very annoying, but also quite dangerous. But getting rid of the animals is not an easy thing. One solution is to relocate the entire wasp burrow. However, this undertaking is better left to professionals.
When and how should you relocate a wasp nest?
Relocating a wasp nest makes sense if it is close to the house, someone in the household has an allergy to insect venom or there are small children present. A professional, such as a beekeeper, should demolish and rebuild the nest approx. 3-4 km away.
When relocation makes sense
To say it upfront: Relocating a wasp nest is only worthwhile in very isolated cases. Before you decide to take this complex measure, which is stressful for people and animals, there should be really urgent reasons for it. These can be, for example:
- The wasp nest is in the immediate vicinity of the house
- You or another household member has an allergy to insect venom
- There are small children living in the house
Nature conservation authorities are only allowed to 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, you have to be aware that a wasp colony only lasts from spring to autumn. This is a manageable period of time in which you can come to terms with the animals if necessary. However, there is not necessarily a risk that the old nest will be colonized again in the following year - because the fertilized young queens usually look for a new place to found a state after the winter.
The resettlement
If the situation is of course too critical, a nest relocation can take place. However, it is better to carry it out professionally by a beekeeper or a nature conservation organization. Because the action should not be underestimated.
Basically, the procedure is to suck out the wasps alive, carefully dismantle or dig up the entire burrow, and rebuild 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.
So that you can protect yourself from wasp stings when relocating and also 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 this venture yourself, you can ask a beekeeper or the local nature conservation authority for such a remedy. Beekeeping protective clothing (€51.00 on Amazon) is of course also necessary. Relocation by a professional costs around 100 euros.